Part of Lore + (Dis) order, Centrala 02-23/09/22
A Resolution of Shieldmaidens is a game combining skill and chance, echoing the complexities of treating Hyper Thyroid conditions.
Created in 2020 as part of a residency with University of Birmingham’s SMQB Seedcorn Research project the game consists of a board shaped like the Greek Thyroid shield which gave the organ its name. Cast in resin the inclusions refer to historic treatments for the condition (Common Gromwell leaves) and sewing needles referring to the goddess Athena. Many chronic medical conditions were historically described as curses of the gods, and Hyperthyroidism (with it’s raised adrenaline and tendency to keep the patient’s flight-or-flight response to stay at its maximum level) felt to me like a contender for the curse of Athena with its primarily female patients being eternally ready for a battle that may never come.
The game pieces are also cast from resin with a bead model of the human endocrine system inside.
The game itself consists of throwing two dice chosen from a selection (from D4 to D100) and multiplying the results, aiming to get to the centre of the board.
Vicky Roden 