Yesterday I had interesting discussions with Leigh Williams and Ben Hultum, both following an M.A. at Glyndwr University. Last year Leigh engaged people in an Inside Out project inviting them to write down their bad thoughts for them then to be shredded and made into pellets. It was an interesting exercise. However we realised that the area chosen for this performance should probably have been down near the Hotels where more people congregated.
They described their intended piece of performance art for "Inside Out Time and Place", on the evening of May 9th 2009.
We hope to involve lights, possibly LED torches. The field below the bridge would seem to be a good area, safe and with the possibility of an audience stationed along the bridge and the bridge road. It will be photographed and filmed.Leigh is sending photographs of his work and Ben will email me the description of their project which is called "Project Project".
I shall send them both photographs of the bridge area and field shown here so that they have some idea of the working space. Some of the views are used on picture postcards of the Ceiriog Valley, which adds to the implications of the planned event. Ben and Leigh intend to visit to assess the site and finalise their ideas.
Last night a get-together of Inside Out artists took place at The Hand Hotel in Llanarmon D.C. We discussed issues relating to "Inside Out-Time and Place" scheduled to begin on May 9th, with an evening opening.
Following the experiences of last year artists have a deeper knowledge of the village – the art site, and ideas on what to make and how to present them have been forthcoming.
When a group of artists get together the power of creative ideas increases through sharing. From my own perspective I find this not only an enriching experience, but something that is essential to the success of my own practice.
We have organised one "artmeet" – a group of six of us meeting to discuss and share our work and challenges – which we felt was very worth while. Further meetings of this nature – as well as ad hoc informal get togethers is something that we need to work harder at achieving on a more regular basis. Those artists who have left college have expressed an interest in this, as isolation from others is counter productive.
The Inside Out May 2009 exhibition will inherit two works from Inside Out May 2008, that are still on display. Both are by Tim Pugh.
Tim chose a large smooth beech tree on which he designed "Llanarmon Beechburst" using charcoal. The work has remained beautifully clear for nearly a year now.
Tim also ran a workshhop for the children of Llanarmon School. Their slates still adorn the fence of the school.
This year he will be creating a design sheet about the the Ceiriog Valley which was saved from flooding in 1923 by Lloyd George. If the valley had been flooded none of the people, or houses in this village would be here today.
Last year Chrissy Smith created a commemorative glass piece called "Saved 1923" that was displayed by the river's edge. Interestingly this recalled the "memory" of an event that did not actually happen.
