Blog effect
Writing and thinking about this blog has given me new energy and a liberating sense of potential. My art practice feels a bit ropey at the moment, so I’m hoping to address that too …soon maybe. But I’m in a list mood, so here’s a list of all the good things about doing a project blog:
Feels like I’m part of the art universe.
Keeps me thinking critically.
Reading other blogs opens me up to new ways.
A good excuse to see shows – when I have endless job applications to do.
I’m more purposeful when I go to shows – and feel more confident talking about ideas I’m interested in. Finding my voice and writing style.
Evidence that I’m still an artist – even though I’m not making significant work at the moment.
Feels good to have a space in my life that is open and exploratory – no planned endpoint or direction. Doing something just because I want to do it.
SpaceStation65: www.spacestationsixtyfive.com
The show, No Now!, invited the public to bring along work to be hung on the opening night (107 submissions). Fifteen artists were invited to contribute; an opportunity for the gallery to bring together artists they already work with, alongside some fairly new names. Celebrating 10 years, this show got top marks for my three words: hierarchy, access, equality. The standard of all work was very high and spaciously curated. Great to spend some time here and chat to folks. Felt honoured that my drawing was placed above a drawing by Mary Yacoob and near a Saskia Wolbers print.
Performances on Saturday afternoon.
Charlotte Young’s artist statement: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3v8DbLWAXvU
A refreshing take the artist’s plight. Makes me smile every time.
Lee Campbell: http://leecampbellartist.blogspot.co.uk/
Great website. Informed nonsense-playing.
Tate Tanks Summer School: discursive exercises (open discussion)
With Five Years – worked with Tate since 2000
Other speakers from: Amateurist Network, http://amateuristnetwork.wordpress.com/
Communist Gallery
The Tate London Schools and Teachers Team worked with Five Years (Edward Dorrian) to explore possibilities for teaching and learning. Open invitation to propose an ‘activity’ for the school (about 30 participants) – all proposals accepted (published as a limited edition; an archive of ideas and working text). ‘The museum as the site of this event and the role of the participants are opened up for more than mere spectacle or a moment of playful participation, but as an occasion of learning.’
I’m not sure this worked as a ticketed public event. Exchange score = 0.5. Quietly relieved that I didn’t go into teaching. Best bit was Edwina Ashton’s cute cats pussying about the space while the presentation was in full flow – a mildly subversive distraction that worked brilliantly, considering the institution (school/gallery).
Jo Spence: Work (Part I and II)
Studio Voltaire www.studiovoltaire.org
Lambeth Women’s project : www.lambethwomensproject.org
Jo Spence (1934-92) emerged in ’70s, pioneering ‘phototherapy’, a form of co-counselling. The show is a brilliantly compiled celebration of her extensive work and process; playful and heart-wrenchingly awful. Photography as an empowering capacity, when applied to issues of: class, power, gender, health and the body.
Well-researched and supported by events, welcoming/informed staff, quality publicity. Good to see this work and address these issues in a gallery space.
Gasworks: www.gasworks.org.uk
Yashas Shetty: Expanded microscope workshop
No introduction. A darkened room, lit only by a few table spotlights, about 15 participants perched on unsteady chairs around a line of tables. Like Chinese whispers we blindly fumbled with a web cam, removing the back and releasing the lens-bit, reversing it to make an ‘expanded microscope’. There weren’t enough screwdrivers, so this took up the whole hour of the workshop.
The woman next to me sums it up ‘I have no idea what that workshop was about’.
