Unfortunately the BaseNorth exhibition will not be happening at the Rednile gallery space as was originally intended. We have been told that the owner needs to get in and we must get out. We have been in contact with Sunniside partnerships and others who can help us find a suitable venue in the area. We are all still continuing work on the project and are hopeful that we will find a space soon in the area to exhibit in.
The past few weeks for BaseNorth have been riddled with uncertainty. Last week we were informed that the building, which houses Rednile, our studios and the gallery (where we have been preparing to have our exhibition) was sold. In short, we were kicked out. So we began the process of finding an alternative venue around Sunniside, only to find out that the exhibition might still be on for next week. It's been an incredibly busy and stressful time but BaseNorth is ploughing through. We will find out on Thursday afternoon if the exhibition is on again. If it is we will post more information.
Sarah Stamp
I have been finishing off the writing part of my public announcement, reading prime ministers speeches to get ideas. The announcement is quite detailed in places as I wanted to have the feel of government policies/acts of parliament, but I wanted the conclusion to be quite concise. I felt it was quite easy to keep adding more to it as I was writing I was very involved in the process which allowed me to focus. When reading prime ministers speeches certain phrases words are used repeatedly such as ‘I believe’, new, change and top of the agenda. I’m now focusing on recording what I’ve written, I have been experimenting with my voice and practicing the announcement several times so I know how I want it to sound. Once recorded for the final time I need to know how it sounds on different types of equipment and in different positions in the space.
Anna Puhakka
For the past few months I have been working on creating a game. It is a satirical view on the art world and the life of an artist just trying to make it through. This game has worked as a type of research in to my own psyche of what I have been expecting. A map, of fears and expectations. After reflecting on this piece of work I have decided that although an interesting object I am sceptical about exhibiting as a piece of my work. This is not to say that all this time has gone to waste. I do intend to keep working on painting these game boards and refining the game. As for the exhibition I have been thinking of presenting a sculpture that I’ve started working on. For me it starts to bring together the idea of ritual, history, fear and expectation which is what I am essentially interested in at the moment.
Nicola Smith
The running machine element to the work is now well and truly over. I like the simplicity of the circular structured text and image within it. I have been experimenting with cutting out the roundabout section of the picture in Photoshop and placing it at an angle. This has made the image look futuristic, like a flying saucer, which I like. Anna mentioned painting the gallery walls magnolia which initially I wasn't sure about but reflecting on this I think it's a good idea and has inspired some other works which are visually linked to the door piece but also has a domestic feel to it. I have been photographing some domestic objects in my studio at home and have been enjoying playing with perspective. I particularly like one image, which looks 2D, and the shapes within the frame almost look like they are floating. I question, does this fit in with the title/theme of the show? Does it really matter? The two pieces visually are clearly connected and both have a sense of instability.
