I thought I had pretty much considered the curation possibilities for my final show quite a while ago, but as I have learned throughout the course, ideas and plans continuously morph and change for me. It seems that unless I am working to a very short time frame, longer periods give me too much time to think….. Also, in this case, my original ideas had to change, based on the space I was allocated. This hasn’t necessarily been a negative thing, as other factors have also contributed in changing the way in which I have visualised and comprehended the emerging work, apart from this.
This process, of not knowing what space I would be allocated, brought to the surface considerations for me. I realise that there are at least two ways in which I make work. One is the making of independent works that stand alone and that I can generally fit into any environment. At this very moment in time, I feel that although I like making these types of sculptural works, they sometimes leave me wanting something more…. leaving me with a slight feeling of disappointment (for want of a better term). The second way of making and presenting work, is I guess termed ‘working more site specifically’. I enjoy spaces and the atmospheres conjured by them; and it really helps to have a space in mind to work with. I think, at the moment I see the space around a piece of work, in some ways as an extension of the work itself; not just as a room or area. With that in mind, I feel that I am quite drawn to this way of working. Realistically though, I am aware that site-specific opportunities are quite rare and that the majority of art-work is likely to have to be created independently of this consideration.
Examples of where I have been able to play and create in specific spaces, have been in ‘Level 1’ (as part of the 10 Project / see pic 1. below), and in ‘Level 5’ (as part of the Letheringham residency and show / see pic 2. below).
Pic 1. (10 Project)
Pic 2. (Letheringham residency and show)
Now that I have been allocated space, I really want to be able to get into it, so that I can get a real feel for it. It’s strange, but the ‘space’ in question is completely visible, I can walk past it and look fully into it (although at present it has other students work in it), but I feel the great need to have it empty and to be able to sit in it……. It’s a strange feeling. It’s as if I need to befriend it and have a conversation with it. I know that until I am able to do so, that I have no real confidence that anything will work! This may be a purely ridiculous and idiosyncratic reaction to this situation, but it’s very interesting to reflect upon. It’s also interesting to reflect on the feeling of ownership of a ‘space’. At present it is someone else’s space and from relating to the feelings I have had concerning the area that I have been using to make work over the last few months, I can see a tendency towards having ‘territorial’ type feelings. It is an area of consideration that isn’t necessarily that pressing to ponder on at the moment, but I can see it as an area that could inspire work in the future.
