Redirection and Network Timeout

Sunday 26th June 2011

I have been a little under the weather again today, but I have been pushing on as I have asked to start installing the show tomorrow, as I do not want to leave it until the last minute. We also have been rushing through the publicity poster. I wish that I had asked about this earlier, as YanYan mentioned it before but then has been away at training at the University, and the usual assistant who does it is not available, and we do not have Photoshop. Anyway, although the layout is not fantastic it does the job – I know I will be pushier the next time! The posters are all over the area, and the exhibition stays up while I am travelling with Dave so it is on for a good while. I will need to transport the works back to the UK for the exhibition at Goldsmiths in September. I will obviously not be able to transfer the graffiti and installation, but I can present photographs, and I have had an idea of a three dimensional model/installation that I can do in its place. The problem with the CHRC is that nothing can be attached to the walls, only hung from their hanging system. I have a good amount of time to think about this though.

I completed all of the maps that I wanted to do. There was one more drawing on architectural paper of HuangJePing Street, and then another world map that has images of both China and UK on each side of the globe. I like the aesthetic of this map, but I think it would have been effective to be larger. Again, I could develop more work for the exhibition in September, I do not think that is cheating.

I decided in the end to install the drawings and prints on clips instead of in a frame. Although framing is cheap, I decided that I did not want this formal aesthetic for the work, and again I would not be able to transport to the UK (and it was not in the original budget).



It is hard to believe that it is only 4 days until my partner arrives (can’t wait!) and I have just under a week left in Chongqing before we leave to do a bit of travelling in China. I am so looking to forward to seeing him, and cannot wait to see what he thinks of it all, I am so glad we can share these experiences together. The poor guy will have two days of travelling from Manchester to Chongqing – he’ll be exhausted by the time he gets here.

It has been a fantastic month, and I feel like I am starting to get used the the way of life more, the food, and I am enjoying being able to make work everyday and not worry about students progress, other paid work and trying to curb costs (as everything has been so affordable here). Although I am looking forward to a roast chicken and especially wholemeal bread, I will miss the time to do work.

Although I think the residency would have benefited to be longer, especially with regards to allowing for reflection, more in depth research, getting to know local artists more and the culture, I feel as I have been productive. The project has allowed me to develop so much which I would have struggled to do without the support of the 501 Artspace, Chinese Art Centre, and of course the grant from the Arts Council England.

The opening is in three days. Tonight YanYan and I were finalising the poster. The gallery lights are up. I am on my second last drawing, and I would still like to do one more map if I have the time. Today I finished the sprays, which was good fun, and at each location drew a croud. I also made a new friend – a music lecturer at the Chongqing University. The sprays outside were something I have never done before, although I often use spraypaint in drawing sessions with students, and we talk about the politics of graffiti as art, and the fashion associated with street art these days. Of course, here it is not illegal, so my sprays only add to the welcomed decoration. I like the fact they will be there for a long time, or until someone decorates over them.

The symbols on the grafitti are all parts of routes, and all contain the icon of the earth with the cross in front of it. This is the symbol that my computer displays when I try to access western sites such as YouTube etc, or dirty words, or socially sensitive websites. All three are situated at walkways around the studio within which I walk everyday.

I have also been arranging a thank you dinner for everyone who has helped me out whilst I have been here. It will be on Thursday night, and we will go for HotPot – it should be fun, and a baptism of fire for Dave my partner – there will be over 18 people!

I have been feeling a little under the weather due to a tummy bug or something I had eaten so today was a slower start. I am feeling much better tonight though.

I managed to do my first spray inside the studio block and I have cut all of the stencils for the other sprays which I am going to do in the morning early tomorrow. I have enough people staring at me normally so I am hoping if I do them at daybreak I will not have too much of an audience!

I went out for dinner tonight on my own for the first time, and I was quite pleased with myself for managing to order and settle the bill. I usually eat in when I have not been out for dinner with others who can help me with the menu.

I need to sort out some information for the exhibition poster tomorrow with YanYan, and also I really need to decide whether to frame my works on paper. I was not planning on it and wanted to show them as maps in clips or bull dog clips but others here think I should frame them. I am not so sure but apparently framing is cheap here (as most things) and quick. hhhhmmm what to do!