I haven’t had much time to reflect on our Haden Hill visit but I have been thinking about how this collaboration will move forward. I’m inclined to let it take shape naturally. So far we have been talking through each other’s ways of seeing generally and our reactions specifically to seeing Haden Hill. I like this approach of seeing how our ideas are shaped and modified just by comparing them in our informal dialogue; it’s new to me. As usual I am becoming engrossed with the processes of the process… I must not stray too far from my original thoughts of creating texts inspired by both the interior space and Anthony’s interpretations of that space. I shall steel myself and focus!
Post by Anthony.
Been up to Haden Hill House this morning, the sunlight was just strong enough, coming through the haze to give effective light inside. There are some very interesting staircase images, the ones that lead up to the top of the house and the servant quarters, I think that I am not going to look to the very top, something about leaving it just out of sight. Most interesting corridors too, it is not possible to see into the rooms because of the placement of walkways, I like that, the mystery. If I stand still long enough, it is possible to get a sense of the people moving around, not in a ‘ghostly’ sense, but the memory of the essence of them, going about their business, the way we all go about our homes when they are quiet, private places.
On a technical note, the angles and perspective are tough, I am going to have to move from my 10x8inch format as well. This is how the small changes come to the drawings.
The house is’nt mine, or anyone elses I know, it is past, all memory, all of another time and of other lives. This is new for me, finding their existence and making it ours.
Waiting now for Rachael to get back this week and then we can get together and share our responses so far.
Post by Anthony Boswell.
Collaboration Space originated in both of us coming into contact via our shared location and projects through Longhouse. On our first meeting, we discussed our individual practices and shared interests. With the idea of a joint project, we both discussed the areas in which we would both be able to give individual and newly shared input. It is hoped the result will be not just a singular piece of work by the collaboration, but to inform both of our practices individually.
As the theme would be that of the interior, we initially gave ourselves time to go away and reflect on ideas and needs. On meeting again, we looked for the common themes that ran throughout. Needing an interior for a starting point, we settled on Haden Hill House, a location near to both of us and owned and ran as an open museum by Sandwell Council. The visit revealed areas of the house that where off the common route of visitor interest, the servants areas and quarters. Little is known about these people, giving interest to Rachael’s idea of private and collective histories and my interest in rooms and spaces.
Walking through the house, I had my usual response to the spaces, Rachael finding ideas within the objects, or suggestions of them, the personal side of the servants. We both found ourselves reacting metaphysically.
We are gathering our first responses, thoughts, visual clues. The aim will be to portray the house in a way that will be received as universal, to make a work that will be anonymous and embodying the collective memory.
