Model of a Hull Section at the Main Frame c. 1740 - 1785

This is an anonymous model of a hull section at the main frame, crafted from wood. The open form invites the eye to trace the curve of its skeletal structure. Note how the dark, grainy texture of the wood contrasts with the stark, empty space it encloses, creating a tension between solid form and void. Consider the form, which is seemingly simple, but intricately structured. The model reveals an internal logic and system of support, akin to a diagrammatic exploration of structural integrity. This is not merely a representation of a boat's frame. The semiotic system at play here reduces a complex object to its essential lines and shapes, which challenges our perception of volume and spatial relationships. The choice of isolating a section of a hull forces us to confront the interplay between absence and presence. The model functions aesthetically, but also as a philosophical statement about the nature of construction and deconstruction.