Back down to earth with a bump
When we were in Liverpool Dave and Fran lent us a Terrance Davies film – Of time and the city (www.oftimeandthecity.com/ and http://filmstore.bfi.org.uk/acatalog/info_11951.ht… ) and it is here that i have to admit i have never heard of him before – but such is life – we cannot know everything can we? The film explores Davies’ Liverpool through a combination of archive material and new footage. The archive material has much the larger part and explores industrial, housing and commemorative subjects in addition to religion and change. It’s sensitive, sudden, humorous, critical and so extremely thought provoking. The narrative is excellent and strong, as is the choice of music – its the kind of work that will stay with me. Davies is quotes as saying ” As we grow older the world becomes stranger, the pattern more complicated …and now i am an alien in my own land” (1). The rate of change we are experiencing now is monumental, attitudes, ways of living, means of living, working and leisure. This really is a poignant film – do watch it if you have a chance to – I’m looking out for the others he has made.
The images that accompany this post i took when we visited Liverpool in March, and featured in the film albeit briefly.
Nicola Naismith
1. Terrance Davies quoted in Matthew Gandy’s essay Of time and the city in the booklet accompanying the BFI DVD.
Whilst looking up Satellite on the machine I stumbled across this , which I quite liked. I wonder if there is a postage stamp of this published?
http://www.space.com/15824-iran-launching-fajr-sat…
Artist’s conception of Iran’s small Earth-watching satellite “Promise of Science and Industry,” a 50-kilogram satellite, which launched into orbit on Feb. 3, 2012 atop Iran’s Safir 1-B rocket. The satellite is called Fajr (or “Dawn”).
CREDIT: Iranian Space Agency
Dominique Rey
Close Encounters and a Video / Film call out
Well i finally got round to watching Close Encounters of the Third kind – the Spielberg classic. The last time i watched it must have been 20 years ago i guess so lots of it i hadn’t remembered. It was quite good and interesting to consider in light of more recent films which make use of digital special effects.
Watching this film had prompted me to put together the UFO call out for artist made video and film around the subject of UFO’s and interplanetary visitations. If you have something you think would be suitable – the advert/opportunity is currently going through approval for both a-n and axis. Will announce on here when its approved.
Nicola Naismith
This is the one, precious, (are Polaroid pictures by nature and cost per shot always precious?) image taken on my Polaroid Spectra before it had a bit of a meltdown. It is a record of the UFO archive table as set up at The Royal Standard for Dave Evans.
This is the first time we have set up the archive table, as previously, during Space Exchange, CJ Mahoney at Aid & Abet arranged the documents and objects as we sent them into the gallery. Our first approach was a linear, grid-like arrangement but the objects did not sit comfortably with this. Our final decision was to sort of throw the archive evidence a short distance into the air and, with a few tweeks, place the items where they landed. I think this methodology could be an interesting metaphor for our approach to UFO investigation as a whole….. hmmm.
Dominique Rey
Lets talk UFO’s
The talk in Liverpool went well, it was a great opportunity to order our thoughts and working methodology. It was good to reflect on the process and share it with Dave Evans (who first suggested the UFO theme) and the rest of the audience who gathered to find out what we had been up to. In addition to the UFO research journey we also spoke about our inexpert view of Liverpool which prompted all sorts of connections and suggestions for things to look at from the audience. We started a bit late and as such the film screening (Close Encounters of the Third Kind) was replaced by a trip to a lovely pub near the station with cut glass panels and beautiful tiles. Thanks to all who came along, to the directors for helping to put everything together and of course to Dave Evans for working with us.
This project has been good in so many ways, there is exploration, communication, collaboration, exchange and working in a way that takes the pressure off producing a product. Dominique and I have developed a productive working relationship. We have also developed a kind of shorthand communication allowing us to say quickly when something is or isn’t working. This is good, makes the process reflective but also fast moving.
There is no doubt Liverpool is a beautiful city and I love being there. Its compact but has such a range of architectures, people and functions. The morning after the talk we went back to the docks to take some more photos in the pouring rain, then dropped into the Open Eye gallery whilst Liverpool Pride walked past (the rain had turned to sunshine). Liverpool has many beautiful historic buildings many of which are unoccupied, but have been colonised by the ever present buddleia which has thrived in the wet weather.
We are planning to go back in the Autumn to see some of the biennial.
We will also be giving our UFO talk at the Queen of Hungary project space in November – more details to follow. For the Q of H event we will be curating a selection of artist videos relating, reflecting or questioning UFOs. We will post a call out on a-n in the coming weeks.
Nicola Naismith
