The LOST LIBRARY Phase I feels to me like it could carry on and evolve in response to different locations, taking on a book from the area of another library/festival…I also feel that Phase I needs physical movement in the form of dancers responding to the text and music (created in response to the text). I found while pushing the Wheelbarrow about the Eisteddfod festival site that after a while my steps were in time with the music (once I had sorted out a new mobile speaker that was effective outside). I also feel that the piece would benefit from a more dynamic approach – i.e. dance to bring the text to life and to explain the music. There was an incompleteness in the performance I felt, without dancers embodying the text.
Phase I has more to achieve yet. Just looking for the right opportunity to develop it on.
Phase II’s starting point is the value of libraries in our society.
I am also being pulled towards other social furniture that repeatedly appear across cities, towns and villages. Benches, toilets, Parks, pavements/paths…
Larger scale: Libraries, schools, coffee shops, supermarkets, shops, trees, …
Smaller scale: Scratch cards (what do they represent?), mobile phones, coffee cups,
Whether these things are going to become something else that is completely separate or linked with the lost library project in some way is unclear!
254words is progressing steadily through the summer. I have just counted and I’ve done 108 so far of business card size. The constraint of the size produces results that would never happen on a larger scale. I am also now timing myself (loosely – it’s not a rule, I put my timer on for 15 minutes and I stop abruptly at that point. I can stop before if I feel it’s ready and I can carry on if I choose. This may seem entirely ridiculous, but for some reason it works for me. Taking away a lot of the decision making leaves more of my psychological energy for the work, it’s the constant small decisions that are draining to me.)
I have (except right now my studio is stuffed full, not to mention the old wheelbarrow sitting where my easel is often set up) been painting on larger canvas’ during Lost Library or 254 words working. When planning, writing and painting on a 9 x 14cm canvas is too restrictive…I turn around and let it out on the much larger canvas…whatever surfaces. These bigger pieces are sometimes completed very quickly, at others built up over time. There are no rules here.
