You get a commission. You finish the work. You decide, with the gallery, how to best hang the work in the space. You have a private view and then you wind down while it all sinks in.
I haven’t had much time for a wind down. I am now essentially working in the open instead of the privacy of my studio. I’m juggling alternatives, wondering how I add the next phase of the installation all in full view of visitors and gallery technicians.
I am trying to remember that basically it is a work in progress.
Today’s hiccup? Only having handy access to a new photocopier whose ink doesn’t dissolve with the solvent I’m using to transfer texts. I was saved from complete stress by listening to a musical on the radio. I think this could further change my practice.
Stop. Take stock. I’ve thought about what I’m doing with the work here, obviously I have- and sort of where I’m going with it. This week I wrote it down, to reflect. My practice, working process, audiences, workshops.
I wasn’t a fan of the digital camera before now, but working on the additional installations, I have worked on, collaged and drawn on the pictures. I couldn’t have continually visualised the angles and the changing space so easily without it. The movie mode has allowed me to walk round the exhibition long after I’ve left the gallery. It has become a natural way of working and producing interesting working drawings and models in themselves. I realise documenting this exhibition has to be different to other projects because of the three dimensions, space and the sound.
Sound is a direction I have to explore more. The future project will now be 70% sound and 30% drawing, to give me time to concentrate on a small series of drawings instead of this frenzy of production for Recollect and push the sound and editing ideas that just aren’t relevant for this work.
Constantly walking round this work instead of judging it from one spot in two dimensions is feeding into life. Everything suddenly seems more three dimensional. I am looking from more angles and am more aware of tactile qualities I’m sure.
haven’t talked about my work in a critically with an exhibition since working with PhD students 5 years ago. Practical workshops have been integral to my practice for a long time. On reflection I need to change the emphasis to help me clarify ideas and challenge my practice.
And the audience for my work? Am I changing that? I’m still considering that.
