Depressing but not surprising to read that London’s councils are selling off the family silver (‘Flashmob against sale of Henry Moore’s Old Flo’). I have often feared that Britain is collectively becoming like some senile old relative from a previously powerful industrial dynasty. Where is Ruth Watson when we need her? How about a series of London Council Rescue? She could suggest that rather than selling off their assets they should polish them up, bake cakes and get paying guests to come have a look at their lovely things. The councils (like some of the more sour participants on the show) might even find that they have a restored sense of pride ….
I am still folding away silver blankets – that and other demands outside of the studio mean that I am feeling that the week was far too short and should have been at least three days longer so that I had time to do things.
Received prints of some of the Ljusfältet pictures yesterday – I am surprised at the quality both of the print and the image. The pictures were taken on a small compact digital camera that serves me well as an everyday camera, however after seeing the quality of the prints my friend received (from the same printer) from her digital SLR I realise that I need to start using one all the time. It is time to have my own rather than depending on the good will of friends to lend theirs or take photographs on my behalf. In the meantime I might see what results I get from using my old 35mm SLR and asking for a cd of the pictures when I send the film off for processing. It could be a good short-term solution. Not only that but there is something exciting about receiving an envelope full of images that I have not really seen before … actually there is something exciting about receiving something, anything!, at all in the post.
Material things are important to me, they are at the core of my practice because they are at the core of my life. Often times the materials I choose are relatively humble and simple. I appreciate their honesty. That pair of ancient jade discs that I saw at Frieze Masters and memories of various other museum type objects (both precious and commonplace) keep playing on my mind. Out of the corner of my eye I can see some ring form baking tins – one polished, two not – I think I want to see them displayed as precious and meaningful things.
I am (almost literally) counting down the days to the end of my school term now. No matter what else I have to (or want to) do next year I have to have at least one full day a week in the studio. At least if I plan that then I change my plans!
27 days …
