‘On Brown & Violet Grounds’
Install Diary
Wednesday, 18 September 2013
DAY 2 of Install – On Brown and Violet Grounds
Day two of install was my first full day in the space. Feeling unashamedly undaunted by the space of the empty unit at Piccadilly place I set about arranging my materials. By dropping them in the location where I thought they may be needed would help me start work with a clear mind – albeit an organised one.
I decided to arrange all my sticklights against a wall in order to see the range of colour I had (see above image). Not only did this saturate and illuminate the space – as intended, but gave me a real-life colour chart to pick from when selecting what colours I needed for the installation/light work. As it reached around 5.30/6pm and the light outside became darker, the lights really popped and came into being.
This is exactly why I have decided to open the space to the public on show days from 1-9pm – this will allow people to see how the change in light outside effects the work inside. I would say the best time to come will be early evening.
The biggest problem of the day came in the form of a 13ft banner that I had printed to hang in the most prominent window of the space, hoping that the commuters coming in and out of Piccadilly train station would see. I have to admit that I never thought about reaching the highest point in the tall window to hang the damn thing. After a few inquiries (begging) I found a fellow with a super tall ladder and my worries were seemingly over. I had a wander down to the shops and bought some sticky back hooks to hang the vinyl banner – ideal! It then took a few hours to hang the thing straight and get it looking tidy. Tears were cried…
Tuesday, 17 September 2013
DAY 1 of Install – On Brown and Violet Grounds
Today I hired a large van and drove to Macclesfield to de-install and collect my special commission made for this years Barnaby Festival. It has been in the Grosvenor Centre now for 3 months and seen by over 3000 people. Not bad!
I felt sad and a bit emotional taking it down as I really enjoyed being part of the Barnaby Festival. It was well organised and a pleasure to be part of. I received excellent feedback from other artists, the public and organisers.
I would have been far more upset had I of been taking it apart to go directly into storage. However, instead the work was being packed up and driven to Manchester (by me) to be part of my upcoming solo presentation ‘On Brown & Violet Grounds’ which opens in 10 days time (25th September – 2nd October). My home for the next week (and a bit) will be Piccadilly Place – over the new footbridge as you come out of Manchester’s Piccadilly train station.
I then collected yet more ‘stuff’ from my studio at Rogue in the van – lighting, coloured bulbs, plinths, cables, TV, paint, acrylic sheets, etc ready to be transformed into new work.
I also had a little time to set up some new works-on-paper on my trestle table ready for the Open Studios next week (opens 27th Sept and continues over the weekend). At the end of the day I craved a take-away and had a lovely bath. The delight of install!!!
