(Joseph)
After a slow start to the day, we spent a very productive early afternoon at Mareel (Shetland’s premier arts venue) meeting with Bryan Peterson from Shetland Arts, who was an excellent host, showing us around the impressive facilities. We talked extensively about the potential for utilising the space at Mareel and bringing them into the project next year. I’m really excited as to where this could go now and how we can imaginatively extend our audience reach and leave behind a legacy of the project beyond the exhibition. There was a lot of laughter and we did get a bit carried away, with Kay having to act as brake on some wilder schemes for technological geekery!
(Kay)
After that we stopped off at the Textile Museum, the Bod of Gremista. I visited last time I was here, when my public art project was inspired by Fair Isle knitwear – a theme that proved very popular, as textiles, and in particular knit, is so integrated into Shetland culture. I have become a bit of a Fair Isle fan ever since. (My collection has been growing since I arrived back to the islands 3 weeks ago with a commission being knitted for me right now!) Anyway we had an unexpectedly fun time, as we encountered a room full of people centred around the resident spinner and knitter, everyone sharing stories and passions.
Apart from that, I have spent every spare hour this week identifying the plants I have been collecting on the walks. Very time consuming, with a few unidentified mystery specimens still loitering, but I will call upon the expert advice of Shetland Amenity Trust rangers to help.
Here is a selection of my microscope images that I intend to use as a starting point for the designs for my ceramics.
