So hard to keep the steam going on this one. We were rejected by the Government for our application to COP26. Next conversations, find out how The Barn are getting on. A great partnership for future work. I spoke to Simone Stewart and they had just found out they were unsuccessful in their bid to become a COP26 Climate Beacon. Another route could be through the Tyndall Centre based in Norwich. Waiting to hear if they were successful in getting a pavilion at COP. I was introduced to an extraordinary curator who puts on art events at places like COP. She had just found out that she had been rejected through the UK government route to COP26. Rejection and closed doors is rife. Nothing to be ashamed of or knocked back by. Hannah, the curator recommended we maybe reduce the length of Darkroom to 5 minutes if were aiming to get delegates to see it. She talked of putting art in their way, ‘they are so busy’, she said. ‘We had a giant island sculpture that we were encouraging delegates to help us carry above our heads to move, ‘move islands of displaced people to other locations’. A great activity that got all those in suits moving and laughing at the awkwardness of it. Her plans to set up near the food area, were scuppered by being refused entry by security even though she had full permission to be there. By the time she got into the main room, the food had been eaten. Hannah said, have a Plan B, C, D and E. COPs love photo exhibitions, as people can pass by and absorb….. or just pass by. She said she would get invited onto panels and show photos that way, as part of the work of COP, rather than an added extra. Hannah queried whether we could be in the Wellbeing area, as a moment to replenish and reflect… we did think about this, but I could only make one bid for a pitch to be and I thought wellbeing might be a bit cheeky if we were playing full on tsunami sounds especially if folks were traumatised or knackered, we might make things worse.
So my balls are all still in the air, waiting to see what the next move might be and trying to follow all leads before time runs out. Before time runs out to apply for funding, but I can’t apply for funding if we don’t know how or what are able to do.
I am calm though, you can only try your best, push but don’t force. Keep alert, keep agile, be prepared to change plans, artworks, location, personnel. In the end, for us the work, the piece, the message is the most valuable component and the work, if it’s meaningful and good it will live on beyond any clamour around a COP.
