Name: Table of Contents
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Table of Contents casts a shadow on the ground that, in shorthand, reads 'table of contents'.

In this scuplture, a table supports alluminium sculptured objects, which have an apparent lack of meaningful content.

The words Table fo Contents* appear in shorthand in the shadow reflected on the floor. This shadow is itself the only intangible part of the sculpture, yet it is the part that holds the most meaning because it can be recognised by people who know shorthand.

Shorthand is a method of writing rapidly**. It uses sumbols to represent the sounds of words. The person viewing the shadow of the artwork coulb be said to be looking at the sound of a table of Table of Contents

* A table of contents is a list of the main contents inside a particular media, such as a book, or a real table on which stand real objects. ** The World Book Encyclopedia 355: 1986

Shadow, text and light are the intangible parts of this sculpture, yet these elements hold the meaning to the work. They are abstract shapes, not recognisable as any object, word or letter. The meaning they suggest are revealed by the shadows cast on the floor, which read as ‘Table of Contents’ in written language of Shorthand. A system of symbols used to translate messages or letters quickly.

The concept is drawn from a Table of Contents page in a book, which tells the reader everything that is in the book. However, the meaning content and information is actually in the chapters themselves. There is therefore an apparent lack of ‘content’ in the contents page.

The shadow enables the viewer to ‘see’ beyond the initial impression or façade. The Table of Contents appears to be abstract shapes that are not readable. However, when the shadow is read, people are able to ‘see’ further into the work. The meaning of the work is in the intangible.

SUSAN WOOLF. MATHABO

Table of Contents

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