On touching

ON TOUCHING

Issue 1 (November 27, 2021)

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© Bill Travis, “Jérémie,” photo transfer on mother of pearl, in a 19th-century half case, 3 ¾ x 3⅛ in., 2021.

I remember, years ago, seeing a bronze statue in St. Peter’s, Rome, with a right foot worn down to a mere stump by centuries of pilgrims kissing it. It was fascinating to watch people interact with the statue, guaranteeing the gradual disintegration of the very object they were venerating.

A short while later, I was able to admire an ancient stone statue of a Hindu goddess which also showed signs of repeated touching. The feet were undisturbed. All of the devotional touching was directed instead to the very sensual breasts.

It is difficult to imagine the situation in reverse. Fondling the breasts of the Virgin Mary? That’s not in the normal realm of experience. What people touch, and where, has meaning and in a sense completes a work of art. Not all touching, however, is equal: physical contact with a work of art flows from cultural codes we rarely give much thought (but should). Today’s museums remove the experience. We are taught to look with our eyes. We hang things on walls, put them behind cases, and set alarms.

When I started working on my series of union cases (small 19th-century cases made to hold daguerreotypes and other early photographs), I wanted people to experience these images in a tactile way. They are made to be picked up. The information comes through the eyes, but equally through the hands. Everything—light, color, form, movement—enhances the sensuality; touching brings you, the “viewer,” into the picture. You always hear that a work of art can touch you. What really interests me is touching back.

Here are some pieces I recently completed. For instance, Bryan:

© Bill Travis, “Bryan,” inserted in a 19th-century half case, photo transfer on 23k gold, 3 ¾ x 3 ⅛ in., 2021.

Here’s a couple embracing:

© Bill Travis, “Couple,” inserted in a 19th-century half case, photo transfer on mother of pearl, 3 ¾ x 3 ⅛ in., 2021.

And here’s the same couple in a tender moment.

© Bill Travis, “Ty and Casey,” inserted in a 19th-century half case, photo transfer on mother of pearl, 3 ¾ x 3 ⅛ in., 2021.

These works are available for purchase: $800, with free shipping within the U.S. Each piece is a unique edition. There is only one. Does this touch you?

You can see other available pieces here.

I continue to work on this series. Let me know if you have any questions or requests for future issues. You can reach me here.