2010 Challenge

Low Points

The inevitable has happened, I am having a project slump, a low point, a depression. The work I am producing I feel un-happy with, the challenges I am set feel un-inspiring, the durational aspect of the work is taking its tole.

I have received three returns from the challenge that was to challenge other people. The decision to contact these people who have yet to return is still lingering, should I? Shouldn’t I? Does the project loose integrity if I contact them, and pester them to complete the challenge? The three I have received back have however been very interesting, and perhaps obviously they have been returns from people who have already challenged me.

I went to yet another audition today, for the challenge to appear on TV. The audition was for a show called The Chase. It’s a little like the ultimate knowledge based pub quiz only with a little more competition and more at stake. The audition was very interesting. We entered in a group of 8 and had two sets of general knowledge questions to answerer secretly, as well as introducing ourselves and playing a version of a game called Taboo. It was actually really good fun, and I had conversations with several of the ‘auditionees’. I have become really interested in the people who apply to go on TV shows, what’s their motive, what do their peers think, what are they like, how far have they travelled, how did they hear about it. I find it fascinating, especially as perhaps it is not something I would normally do. Many of the people from today’s audition had appeared on the Weakest Link, and one of them had won. I didnt get shortlisted.

Another audition on Sunday, figures crossed its a big one! Also waiting to hear back from another.

This month after much deliberation I have chosen the following challenge:

‘Sew me a cambric shirt, without any seam or needlework.’

Challenged by Rob Van-Beek

This month I could not decide between the challenges I had received because of the people who had submitted them meaning my opinion was not objectively just. I also found all of the challenges to be prescriptive, not having much levy for interpretation. So I had my friend chose a coin out of my hand, depending on what he chose meant I would fulfil the relevant challenge, and the above is the result.

I recognise the challenge is form the classic Simon and Garfunkel hit, maybe there is something in that.

I am still looking for challenges so email me one over to [email protected]

Dilemmas

An inevitable part of this project is dilemmas, hand in hand with decisions. I am finding it challenging to determine which of my current selection of challenges for August is in fact the most challenging. I have so far received three challenges all from people I know, two of whom I am very close to. I feel a personal dept to these two people for challenging me which is a distraction from the decision.

In a nut shell the challenges are as follows; The first looks at collectively standing in concrete until it drys, the second is to produce an oil painting for the Marmite Prize and the last (which I think was off the cuff) was to make a shirt with no seams.

I am drawn to the shirt challenge, another of those almost impossible situations and I think it could be interesting. The other two I am finding a little too prescriptive. A lot of the challenges that have been submitted seem to be a way for people to make art work without them actually doing it. Perhaps at times they are unrealised projects or ideas. (Reference Unrealised Potential). Perhaps it is because I like the shirt challenge I am projecting a challenging feeling onto it and not looking properly at the others which potentially involve endurance. Although I feel comfortable about creating a painting!

The panic is also starting to set in that I may not have enough people challenging me until the end of the year. Perhaps another tactic will have to be employed! I think now is my worried period. I also feel that my quality of work is getting weaker, perhaps this is because of the nature of production being quite instantaneous!

Divine intervention wanted!

Perhaps its only after being sick in the bathroom you can only really begin to judge the work you make.

Today I began the first of four actions for the July Challenge. In a nut shell the challenge was to do something un-challenging, and I have taken four actions I perceive to be just this and escalated them to become so.

Today I took the action of eating ice cream and amplified it by attempting to eat four tubs. I bought sorbet as it contained less calories and fat than ice cream. Once I had got the tubs home the sorbet had melted. This piece is intended to be a film, and I recorded the process of me eating the sorbet. The initial tub had separated I discovered half way through, half foam half liquid, it was a pungent lemon which I struggled through. The next a raspberry flavour was a relief from the zest of the lemon but quickly became too sweet. As I started the second tub my stomach muscles were already churning and at least twice I almost through up.

I didn’t quite finish the second tub. After leaving my self feeling severely ill and in need of the toilet and some water I resigned. After a couple of hours feeling terrible I forced my self to through up and remove the liquid from my body.

Completing this action although challenging and not normal behaviour for myself has led me to question what it is that I am doing. Although this is an aim for the whole project I feel that this piece in particular was perhaps ‘art for arts sake’ and perhaps not in a good way. I feel although the piece has obvious references but I am not sure the structural thinking has been solid enough to justify the work. I have potentially made a piece of work that I my self would look unfavorably upon questioning why this person has made such a piece. I my self find it hard to draw the border line between art and life, I feel that perhaps on this occasion I have created a work that falls short and is lacking, perhaps others will disagree, or not. Perhaps its the queasiness talking.

Im trying to develop the content for the July Challenge. The outline of what I am planning is to take un-challenging activities and by increasing their quantity, time, pleasure etc to turn them full circle into challenging activities. One example would be the idea of food competitions, where people have a plate of hot dogs in front of them to eat in 3 minuets. Although I dont plan to use this particular example in such a way I do plan to use over consumption or enjoyment as a platform.

Throughout my work there is always a trace of numerical systems. It is a natural by product of order that I like to have in my work. I feel the need to have an explanation or control over the actions I undertake and numbers often create this structure.

I plan to undertake a working week of activities (5 days), with one action a day. The paradox in this challenge is making me struggle to determine what activities I find un-challenging, when I brake it down there are very few.

I am also still working on the June Challenge, and continuously applying to TV shows. In theory I will get to a stage where it is possible to answer applications simply and to know how to audition. That time has yet to arrive.

The April and June Challenges are still in progress. I am still applying to numerous TV shows although I have set up a few rules. 1. The shows must only require one person, 2. The shows must not be for a long period of time. The reason I decided this was because I ended up getting quite far in the process for a show which required my partner to be a part of it, although I didn’t realise at the time, and I thought it was a little unfair to bring someone else into the equation. I also realised I cant commit to anything too long term as I have quite a lot to do generally any way. I am getting to a stage with the applications that I may have to tick the box to say I have applied to other TV shows, Im not sure that’s a good thing.

With the April Challenge, I received my first form of evidence from the Salmon Pink team, on time (31.07.10). So all the other ‘challengee’s’ will be overdue, I have granted a few extensions though. I am intrigued to see what will be returning in the post.

For July I have chosen the following challenge:

‘I challenge you to make or do something that isn’t challenging.’

Challenged by Michael Bowdidge

I thought this would be challenging in its nature and the contradictory elements it has. I have some thoughts on this already, perhaps about taking unchallenging activities to challenging heights!