Kate V Robertson (part 1)
February 10, 2011
I’m now ten days into my Creative Lab residency at the CCA, and I am getting quite accustomed to the luxury of a huge, heated studio.
The views on to Sauchiehall Street are enough to keep an inquisitive mind occupied for the best part of the day, however alas; there are several other objectives to be met during my month here.
I am spending my lab reading lots and thinking about how the different strands of my artistic practice; sculpture, installation, works in public and collaborations – can converge. Currently I am reading several books about amongst other things; participation, art and social change, anarchy, failure, public art and dada.
The CCA is a great place to be based and the building is humming with creativity, it’s also a treat not to be knee deep in cement dust like in my usual studio, as much as I love a mess.
It feels like a rather large space to be sitting at a desk in, but the mind just has further to wander, which is always a good thing. I had an idea that I would be wearing a lab coat (which I do admittedly own) and doing things with wires but the experiments seem to be more mental than that!
I am giving a lot of thought to the artistic community in Glasgow, and how else one could contribute, so I think that the time here will be sewing seeds for future projects, which are perhaps less focussed on a tangible or sculptural outcome.
I have also attempted to take on the might that is public Health & Safety regulations, as I am wont to do, however a compromise has been wagered and my proposed event to conclude my Lab is going ahead.
I will realise one artwork that embodies some of the areas of my recent enquiry, including inviting audience participation (yikes), which I will unveil in a one-off event on Saturday 26th Feb 2pm-5pm. I will be producing the work at Glasgow Sculpture Studios, and if anyone wants to get involved please let me know – I need a small team to carry the artwork to the CCA!
All welcome on the 26th and also feel free to chap on the door anytime if you fancy a wee chat.
