Its almost crunch time, by midnight I need to have a decision on the October challenge. I have one in particular that I think could be really exciting. The challenge is to learn how to become a professional wrestler. The only problem with this challenge is that Tether (an artist led group based in Nottingham) have already commissioned a very similar work.
http://tether.org.uk/tv/archives/61
Although female wrestling is somewhat different to male wrestling I feel the challenge is a little too similar. Although every new piece of work is made under new context’s despite the outcome, I am lacking conviction that it would be the right decision to choose this one.
My other options are to brake a bad law to make room for a better world, to show myself at my most venerable through my art and finally to say hello to the oldest person I know.
Initially I had thought that the vulnerability challenge was clearly the most challenging, however I have slightly shifted the emphasis of the project. I changed the emphasis to be aware of what challenge may make a sophisticated piece of work, because part way through the process my art work began to lack conviction. I have also slowed down the pace of the work I am creating, to allow time to develop the work rather than rush into creating a new piece. This means that currently any challenge could be a contender.
The August challenge is in development. I have done some background research into the song lyrics the challenge comes from, and the material, cambric. The research has led me into the 1500’s with the French monarchy. I am currently planning to make a shirt for one of the Kings during this period. I have a particular interest in Henry the 3rd of France, who had a brief reign in Poland. One quote really sparked my interest;
‘The young king and his followers were astonished by several Polish practices and disappointed by the rural poverty and harsh climate of the country. The Polish, on the other hand, wondered if all Frenchmen were as concerned with their appearance as their new King appeared to be.’
I have also selected the September challenge. I chose it on the basis that I really felt I could get my teeth into it, and could produce an interesting and hopefully sophisticated work on the basis of this. There is both a freedom to it and a structure which I find compelling, opposed to other challenges that have been more sophisticated.
‘Please could you celebrate Hélène Dutrieu’s achievements as an aviator.
Her appearances at air shows earned her the nickname the “Girl Hawk”. There was a minor scandal early in her aviation career when it was revealed to the press that she did not wear a corset while flying. In September 1910 Dutrieu flew non-stop from… Ostend to Bruges, Belgium. From 26 September to 1 October she flew, frequently carrying passengers, at the aviation week in Burton-upon-Trent, England. She was the first woman pilot to stay airborne for more than an hour and on 21 December 1910 she became the first winner of the Coupe Femina (Femina Cup) for a non-stop flight of 167km in 2 hours 35 minutes.’
Challenged by Julian Hughes
If you want to look at any of the other challenges visit;
http://ameliabeavisharrison.com/2010challenge.html
