right over, left over

This mnemonic fragment partially describes the method of tying of a reef knot – the simplest way to join two ends of rope. A reef knot can be used to join one piece of rope into a continuous loop, or to combine two pieces and create a longer rope. There’s a pleasurable symmetry to this knot, hence its popular use in nautical imagery, however it easily becomes unstable if pulled on one end, or if different thicknesses of rope are used.

Drawing on the tension manifested as rope turns to knot, right over left over is an informal conversation between objects; between energy held fast and latent possibility.

They commune, converge, and bind together, tracing new narrative arcs - but speaking old languages.

- Andy Hutson, 2021