Hi Blog,
It’s been a tumultuous week in art Labour politics for me and my Blobs, albeit without the jeering, two shags (not seen boyfriend for a while) and threat of deportation. Wednesday was the first day that I really began to spend time in the Upper Foyer Gallery- my allocated degree show space) to finish animating my Blobs and Wooden Skaletrix. This is the Photoshop/pull cake out of oven to decorate stage. However, the first day was also spent battling internally as I adapt to the practical limitations/health and safety stipulations of the site itself.
Artists have strange ways of working; some like to build fortresses and set up an electric fence to ward off social interaction, others begin a knitting committee and have the whole college round for tea. I try and nestle myself somewhere in between. This week I am happy with how I’ve been able to adapt and negotiate emotions of feeling slightly exposed, trusting my work will not be knocked over and damaged (happened in year two just before assessment), and also renegotiating my work in relation to the space.
To complete my blobs, I have converted the gallery temporarily into a studio, and have had to mentally knuckle down to block out distractions. My space holds a prime position, however, it is also the point of convergence for three surrounding degree show spaces, and has a glass front. It’s like being in an operating theatre and performing a face-lift on Orlan (again) but the theatre is situated so people must pass through for the pub, toilet, kitchen and nightclub. Ok, a slightly extreme analogy (and somewhat strange) but some might say, I have been experiencing such Green Wingness. I have worked round this and at this point; the beginning of the final week before assessment, I can say it’s almost been like performing a residency in such a shop window setting. In comparison to working in the open studio, I have noticed that the closeness between myself and my work has intensified, as I imagine to be the case when experiencing a residency environment.
Maybe a bit too close. On speaking to my friend, Friday, I looked down to see a piece of fabric stuck to my hand. I was also wearing a neon pink belt with my Ipod dangling round my neck. Today I have a spot on the end of my nose (more chocolate) which will no doubt become shiny and red. I am also pasty due to being in Scotland. Please take a look at the images, I guess you are what you art.
Back to it; today, Monday, I am adding final touches and removing all the tools and waterproof sheeting in preparation for the real test: installation begins tomorrow.
Hello, end of play Mon- am on track, have finished the last stage of animation and shifted all floor protection and tools. I look and feel like I have been mining, but have faith that I will see my natural skin tone soon without gloss polish. Onwards….
