The Path of Pins

The Path of Pins.

Third and final instalment of the Bitten triptych; a work that uses the ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ fable as a rough framework to explore werewolfism as a metaphor for female puberty. Like the lupine transformation, adolescence leads to the development of androgenic hair and visible bodily change. Fertility is heralded by the menstrual cycle; whose pattern is traditionally linked with the phases of the moon. Of course, the latter is also associated with so-called ‘madness’ (anger and antisocial moods). The works investigate the development and maturation of young girls and raise questions of choice and consent, moratorium and foreclosure; but delve into the mind of the wolf as well as the 'curse' takes hold.

This book investigates the act of restricting oneself. During development children go through a period of free experimentation known as moratorium in order to 'find themselves.' By opening themselves to new experiences they are able to shift and change into the people they will one day solidify into, replete with views and opinions that might be quite contrary to those they had before this period.

If the child chooses not to undergo moratorium, feeling that they would not like to change or experience anything new, this is known as foreclosure.

The girl in this book is fixed and immobile, ignoring the wolves as they creep in, page by page, eventually surrounding her.

Part 1.

Part 2.