Device for Measuring Angels or Winkelmesser to give it its German title was made as a Jahresgaben (year gift) for the Bonner Kunstverein in 1993 just after my solo show there. All Kunstverein produce Jahresgaben which are an admirable way of making editions of artists’ work available at low cost (a maximum price is fixed for all works irrespective of the individual artists’ market status). Winkelmesser comes with a signed and numbered label and a nail, in an envelope, together with a photocopied instruction sheet indicating how it should be fixed to a wall. The instruction sheet reads: It is advised that the device is fitted to a convenient wall with the nail provided. It will thus be to hand should any angels require measurement. When working the best thing is to be able to find the tool you need. It is always best to find what you need when you need it, and there is no tool so useful than one which measures, the greatest of which are the eye, the hand, and the spirit, but how to train them or trust them? Is the spirit level named after the fluid which holds the bubble or because of the function which it replaces? Was it St Augustine who asked the question as to how many angels would fit on the head of a pin? And if an angel were to appear how would we convince ourselves that this were true? We probably meet angels every day. It’s probably just a misunderstanding not unlike a simple spelling mistake which prevents us from realising just how many angels there are. Thanks to the Device for Measuring Angels this misunderstanding can be rectified. Should you believe that you are indeed in the presence of an angel, but not entirely sure. Measure it and be certain. But be quick as these celestial beings are not noted for their patience.

Multiplication, The British Council 2001