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‘Rari nantes in gurgite vasto’. The renowned line of verse by Vergilius (Aen. 1. 118) springs immediately to mind when contemplating the visual elements in this encyclopaedic sample of aquatic references. “Here and there an individual floats in a maelstrom”, whereby all kinds of driftwood and crushed artifacts appear in the mind’s eye as well. Oki undertakes a - nautical - wandering after first taking a decisive plunge into a swimming pool, accompanied by an a capella nocturnal chorus of crickets. His references sometimes tumble over each other, literally, in horizonal or vertical bars over the primary image. The efforts of a frenetically circling compass also indicate a well-nigh inexhaustible range of possibilities. A limited summary: a) the sea with a little ship meandering on it, b) a brisk walk along a sun-drenched sandy path, to the beach? c) a helicopter flight over an empty ocean, d) a gurgling stream whereby the colours -electronically - fade just as quickly, e) a bucket in a well, f) coral reefs, g) an overflowing fountain, h) the rarified tick of a sonar. In keeping with the encyclopaedic set-up, Oki finishes with questions in seven languages (Greek, Latin, English, German, French, something Slavonic and another) about Not-being (like a drowning person) or (the puzzling nature of) tangible objects.
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Erik Daams
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1 9 9 6 
