Make plans, not hopes.
I’ve fallen into my usual trap where my own work is concerned.
When I’m working on other projects either with or for other people I get on with the work that I need to do, making things happen, coming up with ideas, scheduling meetings, exchanging emails, sharing the workload. Actually making things happen.
When it comes to making my own work, there isn’t the outside pressure to get on with it. I put my own work on a back burner whilst I write an application, plan a workshop, do some studio admin, complete a funding report, update a website.
But…
I have a Re:view bursary and an exhibition space to make something for, that’s recognition, an outside pressure. So why, since a flurry of successful meetings a fortnight ago, haven’t I done anything about any of it?
So here I am, using that outside pressure of this bursary and the fresh page of a Monday morning to report back.
I’ve had a couple of initial meetings with people as I try to find the right people to help me develop my skills to make the work I need to make. I met Sam Meech, an artist based in Liverpool, who does great work with people, digital technologies, projectors and art. We had a play with some projectors in the space that I’m using at the Bluecoat in July. Some things worked, some things didn’t and he suggested an excellent idea for how to present one of my works in the space.
I went to Salford University to meet Paul Sermon and his MA creative technology students to try and find someone with the right skills to help me with my interactive work. I came away with some answers but lots more questions, but that is something I need to follow up.
Following that I had a meeting with Sara-Jayne Parsons, curator at the Bluecoat, who is supporting me in the use of their Vide exhibition space. We had a chat about my plans, and she is quite flexible over how I use the space during the July – September period that the exhibition is on (I wonder if that flexibility took some of the pressure off). I also had a meeting with the Bluecoat’s technician who helped me to answer some of the questions that I came away from Salford with.
And then…
I’ve done nothing since. Why? Because it’s always harder to value the work I do by myself. A friend of mine took me to a Daniel Kitson performance last week (which was fabulous, I’d definitely recommend it), and he talked about (and I paraphrase) making plans not hopes otherwise the days just disappear and nothing will happen. So here I am, making a plan to do something.
Today.