Grids | Concrete | Shells

Passivity is the virtue of the clothes that we wear when we work out. Whether they be swimwear, martial arts suits, tight little things or comfortable old rags, all that is required of them is to get in the way as little as possible, while we are preoccupied with achieving that blissful exhaustion that comes from the repetition of a specific physical exercise. Aesthetic concerns are kept in lockers, along with other things that have no value within this context, like make-up, leather shoes or denim.

I wanted to do this shoot in areas around the sports centre, precisely because ornament is irrelevant there. Most choices in styling and clothes would not be suitable, and I found these restrictions helpful – it seems impossible to work when there is absolute freedom. The clothes I wanted to use had little embellishment, and were from collections that took their inspiration from the sea: COS spring/summer 2014 was inspired by waves, while the work of Ellen Elliott, a fourth-year NCAD student specialising in Textile, Art and Artefact, was inspired by the shells of crustaceans. ‘‘The original inspiration was crayfish shells found on a beach in Tipperary,’’ she told tn2. ‘‘That’s where the structural shape comes from, also the choice of structural fabrics. There were elements of units and connections, articulation and function of the shell.’’

The photographs were mostly taken underneath the bridge that connects Pearse St. and Tara St. DART stations. The area is made of concrete blocks and sharp angles, which were useful juxtaposition with the clothes. I wanted the inspiration of the sea to be there, but remain just that: an inspiration. The smell of brine would have been a bit much, especially for a summer shoot.