Thinking inside the box
Du Plomb dans la Tête is the replica in stained glass of a mathematical test I had to do when I was 8 years-old. The purpose of the exercise itself was to replicate geometrical figure on gridded paper. The instructions compelled to use the ruler, while forbidding that of the eraser. The pieces of glass are assembled using lead. ‘‘Lead’’ in French translates into “plomb”, like in the expression “mettre du plomb dans la tête”, literally ”put lead in one’s head”, which is often used in educational contexts. Metaphorically, it means ‘‘make one’s head heavier’’, that is, less lighthearted or absent-minded. The square compositions reference windows, which essentially are formatted openings to the outside. Light is often used as a metaphor for knowledge and wisdom, e.g Plato’s cave or the Enlightenment Period in the 18th century. In churches, where most stained glass is to be seen, light symbolizes god’s omniscient word.
