Ode to a Safety-pin

George Wyllie created a giant safety-pin scul?ture Just in Case the funding for Mayfest disappeared. Mayfest is no more, and the giant safety-pin is now a Monument to Maternity on the site of Rottenrow.

He also wrote a poem about the invention of the safety-pin and later, wrote and performed in Voyages Round a Safety-pin, a dramatic presentation, with David Michael Clarke.

The S2 pupils at Merkland School, East Dunbartonshire who have created 'burd' scul?tures as well as paper boats, were also fascinated by his safety-pin scul?ture and on hearing his poem and about his play, they decided to re-enact scenes from the poem, and make a photo-story of it.

A journalist from TESS asked a few weeks ago, "What are you most proud of in this education initiative?"

(strange question)

But the answer we gave was... the way in which the teachers and pupils have gone off in their own directions, looking at George Wyllie's work and then creating their own, in whatever medium.

The answer still stands.

Who knew that a drama about a safety-pin would come out of this?

And here's the poem that inspired it...

Walter Hunt was a figure of pity

destitute - without a cent

couldn't buy food or pay the rent

stomach empty, body thin,

he made the very first Safety-Pin

for poverty was the great incentive

which encouraged him to be inventive.



Walter's finances were extremely tight

and he had to sell the copyright

for a hundred dollars - a meager sum

to save him from becoming a bum

but the buyer made a fortune quicker

for that is the way of the city slicker

to be financially manipulative

and exploit the brains of the innovative.


Who knew?