other/other/other

Evaluation of the Other/Other/Other meeting on 2nd June
Dot Howard

Clearly, the connections Other/Other/Other had made with other artists and the publicity throughout May ensured that ten local artists’ (inc. founder members Holly Rumble, Dot Howard and Holly Sutton) participated in an informal discussion centring on their creative practice, with a focus on durational and site-responsive art. The artists present were at various stages in their careers and the event began with each giving a short presentation/ explanation of the work they make which informed the group discussion in the 2nd half. These presentations sort of organically evolved into a general discussion about making live work and the problems and/or issues involved. Individuals spoke openly about their own experiences and the group offered possible antidotes and related stories. This was a useful method of getting to know others work and establishing similarities in practice.

The discussion was rounded off with a chat about how Other/Other/Other might assist the artists in the future and a discussion about the possible use of empty shops in Anglia Square as an event “venue”.

Emails and websites were exchanged and the promise of a follow-up manifesto based upon things raised so far.

There were a couple of key issues raised and discussed:

How important the space is in which the work is made and presented
The documentation of live artwork: in particular, what element of the task/performance/installation etc. eventually is the artwork?
The artists’ views on traditional gallery space as a platform for their work
How people in Norwich have reacted in the past to artwork in the public domain

Outcomes:

There were a couple of people present who are on the verge of shifting their practice and making work that might benefit from Other/Other/Other. Although they have little experience of making live art, they clearly want to pursue it. They are excited at the prospect of having a support network for the work they make in the future.

Participants had obviously said positive things to others since the meeting – I received an email the next day from another artist interested in coming to the next event based upon her friends experience.

A manifesto has been written based upon the issues raised and discussed at this meeting.

Personal thoughts:

For me, this meeting confirmed what we have speculated for the past months. People left saying very positive things about how unusual and useful it was to meet and talk like this (outside of an institution). Their enthusiasm suggested that working together in the future and continuing the dialogue would be beneficial for their individual practices.

They seemed to appreciate simply talking about what they do but were also excited about a possible future event to work on together.

The eclecticness of the work represented at the meeting was very encouraging, confirming to me that Other/Other/Other is not an exclusive “club” to join.

DH/2008

Since my last post there have been two meetings. The first was a public event held in a lovely little café in Norwich called the Tea House. We advertised it as a show-and-tell, focusing on site-responsive and durational art. It went incredibly well: there were ten of us in the end, and after an hour of introductions/ examples of work we moved on to group discussions about making work in Norwich. We found that most of the group were not particularly interested in working in gallery spaces. There are plenty of empty shops in Norwich, and it has been suggested by three separate members of the group that we focus on Anglia Square as a possible location. Residents of Norwich may remember last year’s occupation of the shops in the square by British and European art collectives, organised by the Outpost gallery. It’s an interesting mid-20th century shopping and car park complex which has fallen into disrepair, and is now home to QD and Pound Stretchers. We are interested in having work that evolves during its occupancy of these spaces, and which is accessible/visible/audible to the public at all times.
Another refreshing thing about the meeting was the chance it gave us all to discuss our work and related practical/theoretical issues. I found it incredibly useful having to discuss issues which I had not had to vocalise since graduation, and I know a number of the other artists felt the same. Even if you constantly write about your practice for applications and publicity it is very rare to discuss it in a large peer group. This is one of the aims for other/other/other: a regular session for critical evaluation of work.

The meeting resulted in discussions which have helped to form our collective’s manifesto. Dot and I held our own private meeting last Monday (9th), in which we pinned down our aims for the group and wrote the manifesto. It is now published on our website so that future members/interested parties can see what we are about. We are provisionally planning a three-day period in August where we hire a space and make work alongside each other. This would be treated as a public event, so the audience would be able to turn up at different times during the weekend to witness an evolving activity. We see this as a precursor to the Anglia Square event, and probably won’t be seeking additional funding for this one. It’s more explorative, and will help to formalise our ideas for an application at a later stage. Our next public meeting will be on the 7th July where we will outline the plan: new participants are welcome of course!

This might be the last post for a few weeks: I’m doing a residency for a few days and then I’m off to Brighton for the Sonic Arts Network Expo. I’m playing at the University Café at 11.10pm (!) on Friday 4th July. Come along if you’re in the area.

Last night Dot and I reviewed the recordings made on our path through the mall. Her video is focused on the top of her shoe as it passes over the various floor surfaces (granites, laminate wood, escalator grills, carpark concrete etc). The movement is almost twitchy and weightless, and the click of the camera hitting her leg is the only indicator that steps are being taken. The background (the floor surface) swims in and out of focus depending on the autofocus of the camera and the distance the leg is from the floor. She recorded the ambient sound as well, which gives a larger scale to the restricted image.

My sound recording is the direct result of a bamboo cane dragging along these floor surfaces, sending the vibrations into a contact mic. It varies from hushed brushes along smooth vinyl to white noise along rough tarmac. When we reached escalators I pressed the stick against the brush at the side. The sounds, although abstract (acousmatic) are still identifiably "the sound of a bamboo cane against a surface", which is very interesting. I want to try other materials too, but I like the familiarity of that particular sound quality: everyone knows what that should sound like.

The combination of the two recordings is very interesting, because when either of us was walking behind the other there is a delay between encounters with a particular surface. It adds another space to the piece: you become aware of two explorations going on at once. When they correlate exactly it's wonderful, and allows the brain to make complete sense of the experience for a few seconds. And then we're off again.

Saturday 10th May: Mall Survey

We set out into Norwich's Castle Mall at 11am to explore performative recording in a public space. Dot attached a DV camera to her leg, filming the floor as she walked, and I attached a contact mic to a cane and dragged it behind me to record the variations in surface texture. The whole recording/walk took 24minutes and has resulted in some very interesting footage/sound, which we will be reviewing tonight.

We’ll be hosting an informal “show and tell” in The Tea House on Elm Hill, Norwich, on Monday 2nd June (6-8 pm). The topics discussed and artwork shown will focus on durational and site-responsive art. Participants thoughts and ideas will inform Other/Other/Other’s manifesto, ensuring that the collective can inspire and aid artists making ‘art that is difficult to describe’ in Norwich . Please email us with your thoughts.