DISCUSSION EVENT – TUESDAY 8 JULY
This was a busy day, getting the work in position, ready for our Consultation Meeting with Frances Lord in the morning. Scurrying to Sainsbury's to buy the wine for the evening. Quick 10 mins with eyes closed to give us a breather before setting up the Foyer for drinks and documentation. We were able to use the Phoenix large screen to put up this blog for guests to read.
People viewed the work, talked to each other and Susan Diab facilitated a discussion. This experimental format included asking guests to make something in response to the objects that had been brought in by themselves and the visitors to Open Day or to the work we had made. People busied themselves and told the group about what they had put together. We completed the evening by writing references, ideas, words in response to the work on plant labels and sticking them in flowerpots.
OPEN DAY – 7 JULY 2008
Today we finished installing the work and had the Outside In Open Day.
People started arriving promptly and many brought something from outside in. The objects were photographed, labelled and displayed along the window ledge. Some interesting items came including a penny, some bacteria, and a poem about mulberries.
Lots of people came from Phoenix Studios and most people tried the courgette cake. Useful comments and questions about the work.
Getting ready for the Outside In Open Day. I'm looking forward to it but hope to have some time to extend my wall drawing a bit further before our visitors arrive.
Mounted my leaf drawings to day, but tore one as I was doing it and so have had to spend the evening redoing it.
It's been an interesting & exhausting week. We have tried to achieve so much in such a short time. Some things are successful, others less so, but it's nice to think that we can move things on again at the next Project Space.
SIXTH DAY
Today we had to get cracking on setting up and sorting out. I made my wallpaper, tacked up the prints, arranged the birds.
We got rid of excess materials, mess and furniture. Still much to do but it is beginning to take shape. We drove to B & Q in search of turf – last rolls sold out this morning. Perhaps I will have to dig some from the allotment – how come I did not think of that before. Bought some towel hooks. The cress is growing.
Home to make the courgette cakes. Open Day tomorrow.
FIFTH DAY
Up at the allotment first thing to gather raspberry, blackcurrant and gooseberry leaves to print napkins. Later start at the Space. Felt subdued today. So much organisation and promotion to do that the work is having less attention. I feel the need to bed down in the work again. To get connected and inside, to make a place – maybe I must gather a great heap of the dried grass and line with raw felted wool like a nest.
Went home to consider and then up to the allotment, the original place of this project. Remembered my urge to clothe myself in the allotment and took up an old tee shirt and straw hat. Covered the shirt with raspberry leaves and started weaving a veil of bindweed. This is more like it.
