After leaving the State of the Arts conference tweets alone yesterday, I came back and had a read through them all in the evening. It was interesting stuff, but although full of good soundbites and kindly distilled by the tweeting sudience, I got the impression I was missing a fair bit. In summary though, it seemed that: the wifi was rubbish; people felt artists were under-represented in the audience; people were (too?) easily impressed by Jeremy Hunt; although not perfect, it was a good coming together and discussion; artists are valuable to the economy and mood of the nation; it was an exhausting day. Anyway, I shall look forward to it going online…
Found out I have a group of 12 sixth-formers for a whole week next week as part of the YSP thing. I am very excited as the age groups have mainly been under 10 so far. The project will be based around turning their research papers into artists’ books. Joy.
Moving house tomorrow, which makes me want to cry a bit, but thinking of when I am back here at the new place with fire on and wine/takeaway on the go. It will be very good to have it done and be rid of the other place.
Waiting to hear about a lot of things, applications, projects and possible trips abroad. It’s frustrating as it is putting me off applying for other things (if I get certain chances, they will clash and applying will be a waste of time). It’s always like that though, and usually you end up with the thing you were least keen on and you have plenty of free, unpaid time.
I am also waiting for a delivery of soapstone. Although I haven’t carved anything since 1997, the latest work seems to warrant it, so I have yellow and grey tones ordered and will do my best! Next on my list – re-learning to weld.
I didn’t think that the RSA’s State of the Arts Conference would be streamed online as there was no mention of it on their website.. but the tweets (follow #sa10 on Twitter) are just a bit confusing so far. I am hoping that the audio is at least put online afterwards so i can try and make a bit more sense of it all.
I think I’d better get on with doing something more useful instead. Tea and toast springs to mind.
Another good day, firstly, I am a winner! A blog winner to be precise, which is very nice and I am looking forward to my prize – a copy of Rachel Howfield’s book. Thanks very much a-n.
This morning there was some packing of things at the flat and then I went to Liverpool Biennial to give a talk to the staff there about Linz. Surprisingly (considering I was talking to a load of people), I enjoyed it. Very friendly and interested lot and it was good to go over the whole thing and think about all the things that happened this summer, also to reflect on the things I made and what it has done for my work in general. Afterwards, I met a friend for a cuppa and we talked about a piece of text she’s going to write about Inhabitant for me. I feel very lucky as she has a way with words and I will get something far superior to anything I could manage.
Tonight I am staying in the Liverpool flat for the last time as I am off to Blackpool in the morning. I’m a bit sad about leaving, but sleeping on a single futon on the floor is not really inspiring me to stay. Can’t wait to get moved properly on Saturday and have fewer journeys. Then I can just drive to Liverpool to go to the studio, imagine that.
Right, bed time – I’m taking Han’s Abbing with me.
Also very pleased this afternoon as today was like a second chance Monday. YSP was snowed off so I had this gift of an extra day to do some catching up.
Accounts up-to-date, invoices sent, talk images ready for Biennial tomorrow, applications half finished, bills cancelled and changed address for the flat, my sister’s dogs walked and all in my slippers (except the last bit!)
Also a nice tea in the oven, perhaps this is why it feels like the weekend and I am stopping myself opening a bottle of wine? Maybe just one glass, I am cooking after all….
Very pleased this morning; a friend told me that my blog had made her try and renegotiate two work contracts as her hours had gone up but money hadn’t. I don’t know how likely a pay rise is, but asking is important – after all, how will they know it’s not okay if she just keeps quiet?
I realised too that my blog is nearly a year old and that I should probably get round to doing a quick summary of all the good things that it has brought.
I finally got my copy of Hans Abbing’s ‘Why are Artists Poor?’ in the post. I have a feeling I should have read it years ago, but am quite hooked just a few pages in and feel some fresh conviction coming on…
