Send message to Contributor

Contribution short abstract

Hot Coals is a participatory and research based artwork, in which a collective approach of reshaping the Scold’s Bridle is practiced.

Contribution long abstract

The Scold’s Bridle was a punishing device used primarily in Europe during the medieval and early modern periods. It consisted of a metal mask or headpiece with a bridle bit inserted into the mouth, that could be forced into the mouth to prevent the wearer from speaking.Originally it was designed as a means to publicly humiliate and punish individuals, often women and marginalised people, accused of being "scolds"—a term used to describe someone who was outspoken, quarrelsome, and did not obey the emerging patriarchal and capitalistic systems.

The design of the Scold’s Bridle, or Schandmaske, normally included animal features and plant ornaments representing the misdoings of its wearer. Those multi-species features carried symbolic significance, depending on the context and cultural beliefs of the time. For example, a long nose might symbolise nosiness or gossip, while a protruding tongue could represent insolence or impertinence.

Therefore, the Scold’s Bridle is an artifact of the criminalisation not only of the female but also of the nonhuman kin. A deep listening and raising of voices to establish multi-species communities is more needed than ever. Hot Coals attempts to offer a space with which to reclaim the Scold’s Bridle and transform it from a symbol of oppression and silencing into one of entanglement, resilience, and collective voices, challenging historical narratives.

––– Unfortunately, the document here did not allow me to enter the full 500 words. Therefore I continued on a Google Drive Document, which hopefully will not cause problems for you. ––-

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FN6hyOIp9tJanYc5zM4MNlX39BjwQA5SoIPi0Ng8ul8/edit?usp=sharing