Thursday 7 October 2010

A re-memorial

During this walk, partly thinking of Richard Long's walks where he picks up and discards objects along his path I mindlessly collected objects along the way: a twig, a mushroom, some dried leaves, a daisy, some blackberries, a discarded cigarette butt...

These humdrum objects of the English countryside made me think of the more exotic (for us) plants and objects of the far east and south seas where Cook travelled: cinnamon, nutmeg, exotic fruits, carved objects, coconuts...

In layering these two times and place - 2010 North Yorkshire and 1779 the Pacific - over the top of each other the walk to the monument became a re-memorial that re-contextualised this Yorkshire man for our times and our post-colonial perspective. At the memorial I laid out my objects and wrote the short text that is reproduced here.

Monday 4 October 2010


On the 12th Feb 1779

Sumatra
Weather overcast. High grey cloud with moderate South West wind
This cinnamon stick


On the 7th March 1779

Van Diemen's Land
Weather overcast. High grey cloud with moderate South West wind
This nutmeg

On the 22nd April 1779

The Friendly Islands
Weather overcast. High grey cloud with moderate South West wind
This garland of flowers
In memory of the celebrated circumnavigator Captain James Cook F.R.S. A man of nautical knowledge inferior to none, in zeal prudence and energy, superior to most. Regardless of danger he opened an intercourse with the Friendly Isles and other parts of the Southern Hemisphere. He was born at Marton Oct. 27th 1728 and massacred at Owythee Feb. 14th 1779 to the inexpressible grief of his countrymen. While the art of navigation shall be cultivated among men, whilst the spirit of enterprise, commerce and philanthropy shall animate the sons of Britain, while it shall be deemed the honour of a Christian Nation to spread civilisation and the blessings of the Christian faith among pagan and savage tribes, so long will the name of Captain Cook stand out amongst the most celebrated and most admired benefactors of the human race.
On the 1st May 1779

Society Island
Weather overcast. High grey cloud with moderate South West wind
These palm leaves



On the 12th June 1779

Tahiti
Weather overcast. High grey cloud with moderate South West wind
These aromatic blossoms

On the 2nd July 1779

Christmas Island
Weather overcast. High grey cloud with moderate South West wind
These exotic fruits

On the 20th August 1779

The Marquessas
Weather overcast. High grey cloud with moderate South West wind
This intricately craved pipe



On the 27th September 1779

Pitcairn Island
Weather overcast. High grey cloud with moderate South West wind
This coconut

On the 2nd October 2010

Hawaii
Weather overcast. High grey cloud with moderate South West wind.

News of my death took 10 months to reach Britain and the controvery it created has never subsequently been settled. That fatal collision between mutually uncomprehending cultures still stands as an uneasy reminder of the ambiguity which attends our global communications.