Etienne Chambaud Tamed Knot #12, 2014
Inox cable, wood, plastic
75 x 50 x 10 cm (29 1/2 x 19 3/4 x 4 in)
The series plays on the combination of stability and secrecy the metal construction is given by its enclosure. The shape cannot fully be explored, parts of its twists and turns only appear blurred. Thus, the exact structure of the form, its simplicity or complexity cannot be determined.
Chambaud’s work refers to the formalized definition of knots in mathematics which differs from everyday use of the term. In mathematics the ends are joined so that a knot cannot be undone while the simplest knot is a loop, a so-called unknot. The basic problem of knot theory, the recognition problem, is determining the equivalence of two knots.
Holding a knot within a frame, as Chambaud has done with the works in this series, preserves its shape but also makes it impossible to solve the recognition problem. Removing it would destroy the form and the work of art.
Chambaud’s work refers to the formalized definition of knots in mathematics which differs from everyday use of the term. In mathematics the ends are joined so that a knot cannot be undone while the simplest knot is a loop, a so-called unknot. The basic problem of knot theory, the recognition problem, is determining the equivalence of two knots.
Holding a knot within a frame, as Chambaud has done with the works in this series, preserves its shape but also makes it impossible to solve the recognition problem. Removing it would destroy the form and the work of art.