BSAD

So even though, I have tonnes of work to be getting on with and even though I still haven’t got enough dust for my degree show, I have started new projects, organised more events and found myself drowning in more paperwork!

One word – idiot.

OH well – I know something good will come out of it all – even if it isn’t a degree!

This weekend myself and Layne Arlina as part of Eye2Spy Collective will be showcasing our films in Bristol not just at one but two events!

Saturday 7th will be a film day at the Arts House Cafe in Stokes Croft

Sunday 8th will be an event organised by us called Eye2Spy Presents – an evening of Art films by Bristol and Bath based artists at The Bank in Bristol.

All very exciting and I will let you know more later in the week.

As for my dust- I have been burning it.

IT burns, sets a light and then just stays as dust.

You can’t get rid of dust.

Dust will be dust.

…not entirely sure what I’m going to do with this information quite yet – but we will see.

It is the Royal Wedding today – and rather than watching it and having a few drinks I am going to be tackling my mountain of to do lists.

Uni work..! -These Bank Holidays have not helped that’s for sure.

I still have lecture notes to type up, (why I didn’t just type them at the time I don’t know), artists to reference, work to produce, dust to sweep up..and crush.

Yesterday I spent all day with Layne Arlina, my collaborative partner. We spent the best part of last year tackling projects and forming a collective called Eye2Spy. After spending a whole day looking through what we have done and what we need to sort out for marking we realised that actually there’s a heck of a lot of work there! So, instead of taking a step back and figuring out how to organise it all we embark on a new project!

Application written and sent off to Exeter Phoenix in less that an hour – clearly Eye2Spy are more capable of being productive than previously anticipated.

Today is another Eye2Spy day – as will most of the weekend I’m sure. Then it is back to dust for the rest of the week!

I have just come back from London after a long long day prancing about from one gallery to the next; but I have come back with enthusiasm stamina and lots of new and exciting ideas. As well as a fantastic essay bought from Camden Arts Centre – ‘A random dispersal of dust (mutely understood)’ By Sean Kaye and Jenny West. The excitement that I have for this I’m sure you will fully understand after knowing a bit more about my practise.

So I guess I should explain my practice as it stands at the moment.

Hmm..

Dust.

Dust an essence of our mortality.

Dust, made up of particles of hair, skin cells, paint, stone, mud, generally everything and anything.

I have a strange and obsessive fascination with this ephemeral material. It started with my compulsion to sweep up the floor in my studio, to collecting and archiving the dust that I swept up, to then freezing, crushing and compressing it.

Now I am making machines to do the compressing for me!

The dust, is compressed and kept together with sheer force, nothing is added (no binding material, no spray or resin or otherwise) it is pure, solid dust. This I feel only adds to the concept and is something that I am very strongly minded about. It is, I feel, an issue of authenticity.

So to be a bit more precise – By sweeping, crushing and compressing dust I have become obsessed with how to preserve and re-use it. This residue of others and the objects that others may encompass.

Dust being a natural essence of our lives and the world in which we live in, is mostly ignored or brushed away. By forcing the viewer to see this as a solidified object, it not only represents the passing of time but also our own and that of the planets being.

This is perhaps where I am going to leave it for now; and you will just have to wait till I reveal my newly formed ideas...

Though if you would like to see more of my work have a look at my other blog,

http://nataliakomis.wordpress.com/

Guinea Pigs and Art …

I am currently writing this from our somewhat lively studio, as clearly panic has kicked in and people have started to fret about work and deadlines. There is what seems like a house being built in the studio, a big piece of shredded wheat (personal view here) a home made cage for guinea pigs with two actual guinea pigs in it – I am a little concerned by this as the poor things seem terrified of the numbers of art students entering the studio today. And although the studio is busy with wonderful work, I’m not convinced that this is what is attracting the crowds. Van Morrison is blurting out from next door – Simon’s metal work studio- this I’m sure is helping the state of the poor little creatures.

So anyway, what can I tell you that is hugely exciting and inspiring in the arts world over in Bath at the moment?

Well some of you may or may not have noticed that over the past few months we have been fundraising, with Fairs, Jingle Balls, Pub Quizzes, Head Shaves, Pop Up Shops and cake sales. For those who are unaware, this is all for our London Free Range show that is happening in July. It is a brilliant opportunity for us to showcase our (amazing) talent to other universities but also to the rest of the public. Providing a platform for us graduate art and design students and to prove to everyone that us lot at Bath Spa have got exciting things going on and that well, we are worth it – us innovative contemporary artists!!

Looking back on this weeks fundraising events there was a great turn out for the Back to School pub quiz. With lots of artwork being won, with a dinner and two bottles of wine for the winning team. The first prize went to randomers – which is fine – but obviously I and any other students would have preferred the free dinner – (clearly we should do our h/w next time)

Anyone able to spell Onomatopoeia off the top of their heads?

The Quiz Master for the night did have an interesting sense of humour however, which was perhaps slightly challenging (for most) …

Going back to what we are doing – the show itself called ’70 Feet’ is going to showcase 35 third year artists’ work as well as having a live project space. This perhaps, is one of the most exciting aspects of the show. Which will hopefully draw in a good crowd, with some interaction from the general public.

We invited our friends studying Graphic Communication to submit proposals for the design of the catalogue for the show and after short-listing our favourites we decided on Kate Wardale’s proposal. This will be seen by thousands of people throughout the show, what a brilliant opportunity!!!

We are hosting a (BIG) Komedia event called SIGMA/SIM on the 17^th May. This will involve live music, with our very own ex Spartans With Love from Humans, as well as Audrey Costello, The Jackals, a DJ off and then Itchy Fingers closing the night.

Basically, come along and support your fellow Spartans to help us raise the whopping thousands of pounds needed for us to show the world what we can do.

For more information on what we are doing and the artists involved follow our blog

http://hatched-seventyfeet.blogspot.com/