My Degree work has now come full circle. It all started with an accidental Take On Me style animation, then I took a banner to A-ha’s gig in Liverpool and for a joke edited myself in the video imagery…..
so began a chain of serendipitous events that more recently led to me exhibiting a banner upon the Fourth Plinth in Trafalagar Square.
This wasn’t really the final chapter for me yet. That came on Wednesday 4th Nov, when I took the smaller banner with me to go and see A-ha live at the O2 in London, where I met up with many friends, and from the fourth row from the front, not only did I have a very good view of the band that never fail to inspire me in so many ways, but towards the end, when the lights came on before the final medley, we exhibited the banner for the band to see, and it was of course greatly appreciated (especially by Magne!).
Magne himself of course had to go one better and doodle a digital Mona Lisa with some kind of hand held device on the large screens behind.
The following day I finally went to see his exhibition proper at Paul Stolper gallery – Alpha Beta is a series of printed letters, following his usual Kurt Schwitters inspired stuff.
I decided that after hours of carting the banner everywhere, and seeing as he likes it so much, that I’d leave it there for him, and had a lovely chat with the ladies there – hopefully he’ll get his slightly belated birthday pressie the next time he’s there.
A-ha are finishing their career as a band next year, so I already know that I will be distracted trying to catch them as often as possible for that last chance encounter.
Magne also has some work at a gallery in Boston – his career seems to be really taking off as an artist (I wish mine would follow suit!).
So my installation space was exhibited for the band, and the t-shirt I wore with another image from the comic was exhibited in the Tate Modern and everywhere I went in London, and apart from missing out on meeting the band, the trip was another success!
I was going to consider this the last time I follow up the work and move on to other things, however, I’m starting to consider making another one for next year, as it’s their farewell tour.
I got back home and went for the missed meeting for the AA2A scheme. Plans for the LAN are going well.
