Creative Conversations 8 sees me talking to photographer Jim Cooke. I caught Jim during a fascinating exhibition called Riparian he had at the Drill Hall on Portland during the summer of 2012. Jim kindly agreed to give me an hour of his time for one of my recorded conversation.
Jim talks about the exhibition – Riparian. This word was one of his father’s favourite words, it means alluding to the riverbank. Jim is fascinated by these areas between land and water. The work is essentially made of three strands; one an observational, topology one; secondly it is looking at the plants along the River Thames; thirdly it’s through looking at this part of the land through a microscope, photographing microscopically the plants, blood, engine oil, food, etc. What connects all the works is that they derive from the riverbank.
We proceed to talk about his connection to the Island and with Paul and Hannah at the Portland Quarry Sculpture Trust. Also discussing the fantastic space that is the Drill Hall and what a wonderful opportunity it is for artists to show work in this space; though it can be quite daunting as it is a large space to fill. We hear how supportive Paul and Hannah have been, and how beneficial this long term collaboration is.
Ending up with one of my favourite topics – of ways of attracting audiences to see contemporary art. That the Drill Hall has brought in a wide and varied audience, one that Jim wouldn’t see in one of his shows in London or New York.
To hear the conversation go to
http://creativedialog.wordpress.com/2013/03/21/creative-conversations-no8-photographer-jim-cooke/
