Went to an interesting talk by an Isreali artist at the Centre for Contemporary Art in the Natural world at Haldon Forest. The artist is Shai Zakai, she's into initiating dialogues about ecological issues. I hope to take part in her show there in October which will consist of black shoeboxes filled with natural material to create her forest tunes library, showing damaged nature or nature with a personal story. I have to fill my box in some way, maybe I'll fill it with shadows! I like having a project that is easily achievable (maybe). My life is so full at the moment with kids and life organisation that filling a shoebox is a nice easy thing to fit in, just need to find a box…….
I am juggling children this week as it is the Easter school holidays. I did manage to get to the forest though, which was great. I try to get there at least once a week for a day or I feel I am loosing touch with the real subject of my work.
I went with my 2 children Coral(8) and Stefan(11) and a friend Christine. When we arrived I was reminded not all my trips to the forest are a pleasant experience and nature contains fear aswell as beauty. There was a notice on the gate about "10 horrific deaths" of sheep by uncontrolled dogs. This made us all uneasy, but is as much a part of the experience as the unfurling leaves we saw on the beach trees and the lizard in the sun.
I made sound recordings in 5 spots in the forest with different atmospheres. This time there is talking in with the forest sounds.
