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This is the latest exploration of the phenomena of the Goodwin Sands by Mooch. Previous works have included PERFUGIUM MISERIS, a Latin motto displayed on the Ramsgate harbour arm, Worse Things Happen at Sea, a Morse code sound installation in Ramsgate’s lighthouse in collaboration with composer Nick de Carlo and lastly, an installation in Archive as part of the group show, Voyaging.
The Ship Swallower is essentially drowning on dry land, an evocation of the Goodwin Sands and their ability to scupper and suck anything into the sandbank. Playing in
the background is the Morse code soundtrack for Worse Things Happen at Sea with storm backing track listing some of the names of the vessels lost on the Goodwins. The original soundtrack listed over a thousand.
In the centre of the “sandbank” sits a small cap. This was donated to Mooch by a beachcomber who found it on Long Rock at Swalecliff and then contacted Counterpoints Arts to see if an artist could include it in their work, they passed this contact to Mooch. The beachcomber’s first thought when finding it was that it may have belonged to a child trying to cross the Channel in one of the migrant boats seeking refuge. There is, of course, little chance of confirming it’s origin but that reaction from the beachcomber alone gives the cap a resonance worth marking and contemplating.
Mooch featured as part of the Platforma 5 arts festival exploring the arts and refugees. The Ship Swallower was one of their featured events.
Visitors disappearing in the veiled space
The cap at the centre of the "sands"
The Meridian 5.41 flyer for the 2 hour event
The beachcombers photo of her find
The artist, Theresa Smith, talks to a visitor to the show