\u2018Klabautermann\u2019 Structure: <\/strong> Media: <\/strong> Artist Statement:<\/strong>
\ntraditionally a type of kobold who lives aboard ships and helps sailors and fisherman on the North Sea and Baltic Sea in their duties<\/em><\/p>\n
\nvariation of the \u2018snake’ book structure,
\nthe opened piece is about 31 inches long and 52 inches wide
\na rod is used to hang the piece<\/p>\n
\n65 mono prints, acrylic paint, on 6×4 inch pieces of tyvek paper
\n65 green\/blue dyes on 6×4 inch pieces of glassine paper
\nfirst row \u2013 13 letters \u2013 spelling out \u2018klabautermann\u2019 machine-stitched onto the paper
\nthe scene shown on the piece is made by patch-working glassine paper onto the tyvek, using a sewing machine
\nevery piece of tyvek has a piece of glassine as backing sewn along the sides
\nthe single sheets are knotted together
\nit can be completely folded up to a stack of paper \u2013 or in my terms a book with 65 pages<\/p>\n
\nThe piece was inspired by a call for entries titled \u2018superstition 13\u2019.
\nThe Klabautermann is a water kobold who assisted sailors and fisherman in the North Sea and Baltic Sea. He is a merry and diligent creature, with an expert understanding of most watercraft, and an unsuppressable musical talent. He also rescues sailors washed overboard. The name comes from the Low German verb klabastern<\/em> meaning \u2018rumble\u2019 or \u2018make a noise\u2019. The first time the \u2018Klabautermann\u2019 was mentioned in literature dates back to the 13th<\/sup> century. Despite the positive attributes, there is one omen associated with his presence: no member of a ship blessed by his presence shall ever set eyes on him. He only becomes visible to the crew of a doomed ship.
\nThe scene shows a doomed sailboat, riding on high waves \u2013 the Klabautermann has already left the vessel to escape the sinking ship.
\nGrowing up only a few miles away from the North Sea, it seemed to make sense to me to use some \u2018superstition\u2019 from my heritage.
\nWorking always under deadline pressure, I was not able to finish \u2018Klabautermann\u2019 on time for the superstition call.
\nThis piece is on view for the first time at the Goethe Institut San Francisco\u2019s exhibition \u2018Close to the Wind\u2019, a cultural contribution to the America\u2019s Cup, 2013.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/bettina-pauly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/DSC_3316.jpg\" "\\"DSC_3316\\"")
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