#6
It is Friday evening and I am in the space on Bebington Road. The high street is closed mostly and everything is quietish in the evening’s remaining glow. I have just finished the prep for my workshop this Sunday and we have roughly 10 people booked so far.
Over the past few days I have suspended my haiku habit in favor of preparing things for Sunday and the following weeks.
I now have a performance in the works – a monologue to be learned and recited by an actor in the guise of Wifred Owen. I have been selecting pieces from a selection of his poems fortuitously brought with me and am spending time in the space cutting up words and sticking them with Tombo onto bit of coloured paper. In the past I have done this type of work but in my head, but cutting and pasting is a very different ball game, Not much yet but I am about to go a little crazy with tiny bits of paper!
My workshop has been designed for creative thought rather than learning a particular technique. It is about looking and spending time with words and the subject. My strongest works follow this idea, so I take time on them as much as I can. That is really what the workshop will be about – and making this duration of working into just a handful of words.
I have however injured my thumb with a tiny stapler which has hindered things somewhat. Nevermind, I have something to work on now which is great. Reading the recent article on Sonia Boyce’s work I sympathise with the draining aspect of a residency. Particularly if you are attempting to co-curate a show and promote yourself to the community at the same time. But being able to have the freedom to make your own work out of the commitments of paid work is a great pay off.
By the end of next week I should have a new video work, a performance and be well on the way to having a sculpture for the park.
