The Market Estate Project

So Its all finished! The building is now being slowly taken apart and along with it will go my blue spikes.

Despite knowing the event was only ever going to be one day I still feel a little sad to say goodbye to my blue monster. So much work went into it and I felt as though I needed a little bit more time just to sit with it and look at what I had made.

My first reaction once it was complete was a mixture of glowing pride and shock. It was both terrifying and beautiful!

I feel energised, as though the project helped me focus in a way I havent done in quite some time. I finally began to work in the way I’ve been dreaming of for ages.

What next?

I have dreams to realise but right now I’m working at bringing my feet back down to the ground. Moving flat and studio. There are a few projects hovering in the air and I will be sure to write about them as and when they come.

Right now is time for a little quiet.

A few more days to go and for the first time I actually think I’m going to manage to finish it all in time for the opening!

The estate is really coming to life. New people and bits and peices of art keep popping up all over the place and each one is exciting to look at. I can’t make my mind up whether to wander round now or to save it all for saturday.

I feel so priveleged to be part of this amazing project and despite the occasional ridiculously frustrating day I’ve thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Its hard to envisage all the difficulties before hand and so I had several days where I wished i was born with 4 pairs of arms, at least two of those much longer than the rest, and a variety of thicknesses would also be handy!

I’ve been lucky enough to have a fair amount of help from my mates, on some days there’s been a busy production line of whittlers, and painters preparing all the spikes so I can continue to install them upstairs. I’m not so sure I could’va managed without them!

Only 3 full days work ahead!

The estate is grim, and i often leave there at the end of the day feeling exhausted both by the hard work and the building itself. Its filthy, every day the lift stinks of urine and if i choose to take the stairs I’m greeted by a pile of week old vomit…nice alternative to pee sometimes! Just the other day however I was greeted by a pleasant surprise.

I made a visit to my next door flat and was stunned, it was like stepping into a palace!(perhaps the contrast with its surroundings elevates its grandeur) but this flat was immaculate. Every inch of it was cared for and this even though its a small thing, stood out like a sore thumb and gave me hope!

Its sad that the communal areas of this state are so filthy but what makes more of an impression on me is that someone living in this place would make such an effort to create a beautiful place to live. Feels a bit like a beam of sunshine in the grottiest most miserable place.

Come visit and you will understand!

http://www.marketestateproject.com/

Its been another busy week and after a few days where i felt like i was banging my head against a brick wall I finally felt like i could see what I wanted. That doesnt really make working out how to get there much easier, but it certainly helps to have a sense of direction.

I had a few friends come and help out a little and that made a world of difference. Handing over even some of the smaller jobs allows a bit more space to focus on the main task at hand. I had a small production line going and felt a warm glow of pride at all their fine work and willingness to help!

The second phase is harder than the first and this week has all been prep for the big stuff. I feel like I’ve still got to really bite the bullet and dive in with the new section of instalation and I hope I have the courage to do that tomorrow!

Another day on site and I have almost completed the first phase of the installation.

No matter how much planning i do there will always be something that doesnt happen quite right. I secretly enjoy the challenge that sets me. The frustration of something not quite working and then the intense focus required to make it succeed.

I feel like I have been waiting the past 6 months for something like this to give me that sense of focus. Deadlines are great for focusing your mind intently.

I feel as though I am completely alert, ready to problem solve and step up to the challenge of the task i’ve set myself. It will work but will take a lot of effort to get there.

Tomorrow I may not have this optimism the cold does wear you down afte a while.