Taking the Cure

 

Taking the Cure, 2018

10' x 10' x 8'
Wood

“Taking the Cure” was an expression used before there was a cure for tuberculosis in the 19th and early 20th century. It describes the process of tubercular individuals seeking a restful treatment of porch lounging and low key pastimes in remote locations, sometimes in extreme climates. The motifs in the wooden sculpture are drawn from 19th century “cure cottages” and the Massachusetts State Sanatoria.

Mazza’s treatment for dormant TB in the mid-2010s led to her research of local histories about public health and industrial work. Craft practices were a favorite porch pastime during recovery. Many sanatoria, including ones in Massachusetts, had dedicated facilities to fiber, sewing, basketry, wood and patient led newsletters reproduced by mimeograph.

The sculpture was commissioned by deCordova Museum and Sculpture Park as part of PLATFORM. It launched in July 2018 and had an extended viewing through mid-July 2020. Read the brochure with essay by Curatorial Fellow Martina Tanga here.


Related Events

July 2018 - summer 2020 (extended viewing during COVID19) deCordova Museum and Sculpture Park, Lincoln, MA
2019 Mar 7, Conversation and Crafts, deCordova Museum and Sculpture Park, Lincoln, MA
2018 Jul 28, Craft Workshop and Artist Talk, deCordova Museum and Sculpture Park, Lincoln, MA

Special Thanks:

Peter Benson, PM-6 Joinery
UMB Faculty Staff Union
John Hess
Erik Levine
Brian Glaser
Gale Perkins
Brian Dumser
Nia Duong
Brian Reynolds, Lakeville Historical Society
Massachusetts State Archives

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