Cosmic Spiral

"Cosmic Spiral" designed by Alan Davie

As a child, in Lossiemouth, I remember my father getting us up out of bed to gaze in wonder at the Milky Way, with a comet clearly visible, and on another occasion to see the Northern Lights.

I studied science to university level, but somehow no scientific explanation of those phenomena ever got near touching the meaning-filled moments, shivering in the back garden aged 6.

We can try and get at “truth and meaning” in life using logos or reason, but we can also get close to it using myth and symbol; one the “rational” the other perhaps the “artistic” route.

At this time of year the image of the star is full of meaning and Alan Davie’s tapestry, designed in his late 80s and made so beautifully by the Dovecot Studios, saves us a thousand words in the search for meaning.
For many older people, the search for meaning, the need to make sense of life is very strong, but can be hampered if the emphasis is all on words and explanation, especially if dementia is involved.
Amongst other things FiOP aims to explore the way creative arts can help access meaning when words don’t quite hit the spot.

Mary Moffett

*The above tapestry is from an exhibition at The Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh during Aug/Sep 09.
(websites:  www.dovecotstudios.com and www.gimpelfils.com) 
In 2004 Alan Davie was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by Edinburgh College of Art which he formally accepted this summer (www.eca.ac.uk)

An example of weaving in process– Dovecot Studios

God the Weaver  by Alfred Wooler

My life is but a weaving between my God and me;
I may choose the colours, He knows what they should be;

For He can view the pattern upon the upper side,
While I can see it only on this the underside.

Sometimes He weaveth sorrow, which seemeth strange to me;
But I will trust His judgment, and work on faithfully.

‘Tis He who fills the shuttle, He knows just what is best,
So I shall weave in earnest and leave with Him the rest.

At last, when life is ended, with Him I shall abide,
Then I may view the pattern upon the upper side.

Then I shall know the reason why pain, with joy entwined,
Was woven in the fabric of life that God designed.


The reverse of the Cosmic Spiral tapestry
(barely messy enough to suit the needs of the poem!)