So finally I have given into having a studio and so far it feels really good. I was a bit unsure whether I would actually use it regularly but I have got into a habit of coming twice a week and then working on proposals at home. Mirabel Studios opened in August 2009 and has quickly become a hub of Manchester’s emerging artists, with graduates and Masters Students from the regions Art Schools including MMU, University of Salford, Liverpool John Moores and University of Huddersfield. I am sharing the space with my friend/artist Andrea Cotton who was on my MA course at Liverpool. It’s a clean space, which has a built in desk, lots of light and most importantly it’s in the centre of town. This means that I can get bits and pieces when I need them so there is no excuse to put things off which I used to do when I was working at home. I thought I might use the space to store some work and materials but so far I am really enjoying simply having what I need rather than lots of clutter around me.
Currently I am working on a set of multiples to promote my performance The Eventé, which consists of an A5 box with a few goodies in. I like the repetitive process of making up the boxes, applying tape and sticking stuff down. Inside the box burst balloons from a previous performance cushion the ephemera. I have been considering whether to number the boxes as an edition but then I thought if Marcel Duchamp and Damien Hurst can randomly add to a set then it’s OK for me to do it. I do find it funny that by simply adding a number onto the work it then becomes more valuable, or does this only really apply when you are famous? At home I have just submitted a proposal for Poolside Emergency at the Bluecoat, if you are interested in applying for this please follow the link:
http://poolside.posterous.com/
I have proposed to combine using a live presence with video as a silent meeter and greeter who then simply becomes a surface to project onto in a one to one performance. The video which will be projected onto me is of a plane being prepared for take off. I have used this video before in a previous performance, however I see this as an opportunity to make a one to one piece. I have become fixated with this plane video and have also submitted it as a pure video piece for some art competitions. The multiple comes up alot in my work and the idea of the double image. How many times can I use this plane video before it feels tired? It doesn’t feel like it yet it still feels fresh and mesmerizing every time I watch it. Oh dear does this mean that I am becoming a bit of a plane spotter?
Plane video link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsdaJ1OwP0k
