Sophy Rickett

Afterword (Polishing, Not Grinding), from the series objects in the field, 2012

Afterword (Polishing, Not Grinding) is a moving image work with sound. It features retired Institute of Astronomy scientist Dr Willstrop grinding a lens for the orchestra lighting rig at Kings College Chapel, Cambridge. He is using a technique he developed for the lenses in the Three Mirror Telescope, designed by Willstrop to a unique optical design which combines the three advantages of a wide field of view, very small sharp images, and all-reflection optics. The soundtrack to this monitor-based video work features a recording of Dr Willstrop reading a text by Sophy Rickett, that combines her encounter with Willstrop with other memory impressions relating to optics, vision and photography.