Work on the cardall collection residency continues! I’ve started work on the second edition of the publicaton that was released @ the start of the residency. It is an evolved version of this first edition with extra pages and outdated text blocked over and new, more relevent text overlayed on top of this in a blue that is used in the collections logo. In the new text I discuss being parastic to the warwickshire open studios (which I mentoned in my last post), I discuss the future of the project, update my CV wth this years shows to date and explan the evolution of the publication and it references to digital technologes evolving e.g: web 2.0, Iphone 1,2,3,3g,4,4s, ect… I’ve also started work on some new text based on my research but this is still in really early stages (I started it this morning!).
I’ve also started work on developing a window display for installation at the cardall collection and attached are images of this. Again its at increadibly early stages!
Having talked about shows to date this year I’ve just realised I poss. haven’t mentioned showing in ‘Bookstore’ @ Drift Staton, Lincoln, Nabraska. I showed a publicaton file from marking the internet and the physical and a few copies of the script from untitled (network of artist-led actvity).
Work on db8 idntty continues. i’ll upload scans of some of the technical drawings sometime! I’ve been watching videos like the one below quite a lot during research for this work… I’ve also been taking notes from the ‘radio stations’ on the grand theft auto computer games, particually the ones ‘people’ call into… still a long way off getting properly started on this work but am really excited by it!
Cardall Collection Residency continued today… I’ve also been working towards things for it as well as just conducting research! I’ve made animated GIFs, and have started work on an evolved version of the publication I sent out. I’ve began working toward some window displays as well! Earlier I emailed some committee members a brief summery of what I’ve actually been doing which I’ve pasted here:
I thought I would also take this oppertunity to fill you both in on other things I have been up to with regards to the resdency; I’ve become really interested in Henry Lilley Smith (which you both already know) and have done a photoshoot at warwick house, which of cause was orignally his hospital, this has led to the creation of an animated GIF which I’m considering including in the evolved pamphlet on either CD-R or floppy disc! I’ve also become quite interested in St. Wulfstan and Mother Clare Fey, I’ve been talking to a curator at Rugby Museum and Art Gallery about some embroidories they hold in their collection which were made in Southam’s convent and will be arranging to go and see these soon! But I still need to do a lot of research before I decide on which character is most interesting!! I do like this confilct in southam’s past between medical science and religion though which could be explored potientally!
It looks likely that we will be presenting something and publishing the 2nd edition of the publication around the same time as warwickshire open studios but will not actually be particpating offically in the event for varous reasons. However, I like this idea of being paracitic to a biennale and existing on the margins!
The video from yesterdays post has been removed my the user (me)… I’ve been re-edting and re-recordng sound all morning… the new verson which I’m somewhat happier with (particually the sound and the fact the avatar moves a little more) is attached to ths post! I’ve written a very quick descripton of the video as well, it reads; My Avatar defines its extistance by exploring verbally what it means to be the second of something and what it means, historically and culturally, to be an avatar.
I’ve also made some decissons into how it will be shown (although nothings final) I think *define* Avatar is a part of a larger installation explorng identity online much more generally. Ths installaton is possably going to be called db8 dgtl idntty. My notes toward ths larger work discuss projections and work on monitors, ‘plinths’ made out of alumininum angle wth plywood shelves (begining to reference minimal/systammatic sculpture re: sol le witt), each work will have sound and visual which will create the effect of lots of people talking over each other/to each other, which mirrors how we construct our self image. I’m also considering signs constructed in a simular way to the plinths with graphic symbols contnuing the exploraton of digital identity.
The rest of the day will be spent sourcing more script and some actors for the making of the other videos for db8 dgtl idntty.
My Avatar defines its extistance by exploring verbally what it means to be the second of something and what it means, historically and culturally, to be an avatar.
I’ve been in Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum constantly for a few weeks now; working on the install of Henry Moore in the Art Councl Collection. It looks good and has been increadbly popular over the past few days it has been open!
In other news todays been filled with workng on a new piece of video… theres a version of in this post (down at the bottom there), it is however very rough, the sound will be compleatly re-made tomorrow and I’m yet to decide how it exists in space but I think it may have other videos with it, possably exploring other elements of digital life. Its titled *define* Avatar and in it I have digitally manipulated every feature of myself whilst explorng how we present and preceive ourselves through technology using a dictonary.
Cardall Collecton work continues; we recently had a meetng discussing becoming involved in Warwickshire Open Studios. I proposed publishing an evolved version of the pamphlet; the orginal of which has been shipped out to over 100 people worldwide as well as being available to pick up in various galleries. I also proposed constructing a distribution architecture node; an idea I started developing with the body of work Temp. DA/LL Network.
more info on all of this soon!
*define* Avatar work-in-progress
The private view / final event of the graduate residency at The Lombard Method happened on friday! Despite it being -8 in the building it was well attended and people seemed to like the work!
I showed 5 identical A1 prints; this repition was refrencing the Copy + Paste / file sharing culture through which they were created, the repitition also enforced the idea of networks and in a more general way they provided a backdrop to the proformance. I also had some neon a little away from these prints which extended the idea of a backdrop but also acted as a remote method of thinking about the studio group as a node in an extending network of (young) artist led activity. The final thing I showed was 9 scripts positioned on a quickly assembled table.
Despite all the refrences to performance there was no performance happening. It will be performed at another artist led space at some point in the future which will enforce the idea of studio groups constructing a network. In place of the actual characters (whom were all lombard studio holders, myself and winston) I will use other artists so that they become avatars for the original cast.
Cardall Collection wise I have started collating my research on Lilley Smith and have made an appointment with what is now a hotel but was once his eye and ear hospital where I will document various things that refernce his work, particually a large plaque on the front of the building!
I have also made a new body of work titled 10 Commandments, it consists of 10 animated GIFs and I’ve put them all up online @ www.ryanhughesprojects.tumblr.com I’m now developing how they will exist in a gallery context and will give more information on that soon. In the mean time I have written this text to further explain the work:
10 Commandments provides a newly conceived version of the religious notion of the 10 commandments; less concerned with worship than they are with politics. They are a series of quotes, from authors, artists and musicians, by which to live your life as well as to contextualise my practice. They provide an alternative to capitalism. They provide an alternative to organised religion.
The show contains 10 animated GIF’s; each piece of work has an image as its base on top of which the Commandments are animated. The images are taken straight from Google and the text straight from books; this making process enforces 2 of the commandments; namely, Decriminalize File Sharing and Collaboration is the Answer. The American anarchist Hakim Bey has discussed this approach to production by saying “we are the thieving magpies or the hunter/gatherers of the world of CommTech”.
