I thought I’d be a last lone voice in the wilderness but it seems we’re mostly still up and running. My grizzles and grumps pale somewhat in comparison to poor Jay – you have my most sincere sympathy, what a terrible thing to happen but as you say, a phoenix will rise from the ashes.
Well our show/s came and went. I mentioned a while ago that CCAD in its wisdom decreed that we had to invite family and friends on a different night to the ‘VIP’ reception, ostensibly because of the crush of bodies in our crumbling building. What they failed to make clear to us was that they were circulating to the great and good of Teesside invitations to a general open evening of all three sites on the same night, at the same time. Well it doesn’t take a lateral thinker to realise that VIPs cannot be in 3 places at once and guess where they were not? Apart from one Professor on the hunt for prospective MA candidates, R and I didn’t spot any of the local academic hierarchy (he’s familiar with most through business). The press fared a similar fate. Despite having circulated our specific invitation to arts eds in general, it would appear that they sent their chaps to Hartlepool which features in a wonderful article in tonight’s evening paper as the ‘fine art show’. To add injury to insult, VIP invitations, which the college sent out on our behalf, appeared to have morphed from our own 21° to their garish, generic ‘Exhibitionists’ invitation. 3 of the invitees who know us had to phone for directions; one of R’s colleagues who tipped up down the road was informed that Fine Art was ‘on all sites’ so who knows who else we lost? Meanwhile, back at Burlam Rd., not a governor or any of the college management was in sight…even some of the tutors were missing…
Well, the Principal did turn up on family and friends night and I had to resist the urge to tell him he hadn’t been invited. He’s a very nice man and he did apologise for missing what must have been the quietest of degree shows ever (which, ironically, he also described as one of the best degree shows ever). I’m only thankful that one of our sponsors was unable to fund the event because of business commitments – it would have been too shaming to bear. As R has said, he will think very carefully before agreeing to help another degree fundraiser in the light of our experience. Sod’s law it happens to our year, eh?
Last night was f&f and very jolly – lots of booze because nobody had drunk it the night before! Pitching up for sentry duty today was to discover some very hungover bodies scattered out in the sun or hiding inside in the shade on sofas purportedly there for the exhibition. It runs until Wednesday and then – finito! What a lot of effort for nowt.
So, it’s goodbye blog, it’s been good to know you. Thanks to a-n for the opportunity to write it and thanks to fellow bloggers for sharing their experiences. I can’t tell you my degree results because they don’t come out for another fortnight (and I don’t suppose I’ve done them much good tonight!). Congratulations to Jay and the best of luck and good fortune to you all. Perhaps meet up again if a-n does a recall in a year or so…?
P.S. Tomorrow I’ll post some pictures of other work in the show – please don’t go away quite yet!
