After a long and pensive wait we Katherina Radeva, Tom Marshman and I receive our Rules and Regs. They are unveiled ceremoniously and just in case we choose to forger them, they have been imprinted upon the gallery wall:
1. Love the extraordinaire
2. React
3. Develop a dialogue
4. Voc populi, vox dei
Jaws slightly ajar, we retreat back to the discussion table, question the use of language and talk of ground rules. Divisions of space, approaches to work, where we are living, the importance of food (this time thankfully not just my preoccupation). We talk of why we are here, what we hope to gain and how good it is to be here.
Since I am not going to receive my “instructions” for the residency until it begins, packing has become a ‘what if’ experience. If I knew what I would be doing would I still be asking – but what if I need that sketch book from 1979? Those books, musn’t forget the pencil sharpener (of course they don’t have pencil sharpeners in Bracknell),two or three pairs of shoes, to iron or not to iron, hairdryer, kettle, tea pot, masking tape, moisturiser;computer woggle/toggle whatever,walking boots; stills camera, tripod don’t forget the tripod, lunch box?
My partner walks by and looks at me despairingly; I know what he’s thinking – don’t take any of it. I’m thinking – don’t take any of it, be brave.
I am not brave, I am a ‘what if?’ person.
