Today i spent some time reading in order to trigger ideas for the WET exhibition. I read a chapter from "Lines" by Tim Ingold (an old favorite of mine), i think this is taking me in the wrong direction but it led to some further ideas:
STEW is next to the River Wensum in Norwich, and the exhibition is referencing the location of the STEW gallery. The river was fundamental to Norwich's success in the Textile trade, making it one of the most important cities in England. Victoria spent some time in the taught units on MA Textile Culture discussing Norwich's Textiles as she has done a huge amount of research on this herself. I need to dig out those notes and get researching again. I wanted to make my work about the river and about exchange, flow or communication, so these ideas work well, but i really need to get some solid facts before i can go any further with it.
In terms of presentation i am looking at having two physical elements to the work. The presentation of the work would mirror the flow and trade of the river so there is a point "a" and a point "b". What is being traded from where to where? And by whom? In which direction? How long does it take? I have a On Kawara aesthetic in mind, something that states facts, is not decorative and that relates to the physicality and context of the space.
Of course this could all change again tomorrow..
LISTENING TO RICHARD BILLINGHAM
I am not usually all that interested in photography, unless it has an architectural or industrial feel to it, but on Thursday afternoon i had the opportunity to listen to Richard Billingham talk about his practice at a lecture at work (i work at Norwich University College of the Arts). So i went to the lecture, as i always like to hear other people talk about their practice.
He was very modest, and this was reassuring to hear that an artist as successful as Richard still has wobbly days where the work doesn't seem to do what you want it to do. It was evident that he is a very determined artist and keeps trying and trying, and finds ways around a problem rather than letting it be a stumbling block. It was fascinating to hear about his highs and lows, he spoke for 2 hours and could had gone on much longer.
As i made notes throughout the lecture, i found myself sketching little plans, and having new ideas pop into my head about the "WET" exhibition at STEW. I don't know where these ideas came from, perhaps i just needed to switch into "artist mode" like that for a couple of hours rather than "outreach officer" mode.
Richard, in discussing his Zoo Animal series described how a brown bear rubbed itself along the fake rocks in his cage, probably out of boredom, you see animals do this quite a lot in zoo's and traces of their paths are evident. It was when Richard said something like "evidencing the trace" that my eyes lit up and i refocused on my practice, he also talked about setting parameters and boundaries with the camera, and the importance of the snapshot.
So, the lecture did what i hoped it would; i feel motivated, determined and inspired. I just need to do the work now, and to keep doing it relentlessly.
MEETING no. 2
On Wednesday evening 6 of the 12 (or 13?) Artists in the WET exhibition met at the pub, and things got off to a slowish start, but picked up once we started discussing the pieces that we were going to make. Everyone just seems to have ideas, or tiny pieces at the moment, so it is hard to visualise and imagine how it will fill the space.
Of course, im no help with my "i'll make it on the day" motto – but i am still struggling with the theme of "WET" and how i can make it fit my work without being too literal or cheesy. Actually, i think i want to steer well clear of of this approach, and i think that to do so i need to start with some extensive research. Perhaps thinking about the use and importance of the river in terms of transit may sit better with my previous concepts (e.g. Open Studios), and will allow me to make work that has a relationship with the river that goes beyond the surface whilst experimenting with mediums.
This week(end) i need to work REALLY hard on my research and concepts, we have our next meeting in a weeks time, and we are to bring samples or sketches of our work for a group crit. That will be really interesting, its been a while since i have had my work in a crit situation. Im looking forward to the dialogue that we are starting to form. I just wish i wasn't so exhausted from my day job, perhaps then i could think a little clearer when i got home.
After work, i went down to Fishergate to have a look around the area where the STEW Gallery is situated. The Gallery was closed as it was 6pm or so, but i walked up and down the river to find a starting point for my work.
My main observation was that 90% of the area has been regenerated, and in quite a sympathetic way. There are a lot of expensive looking flats along the river with BMWs parked outside. The only part that has not been regenerated is the STEW Gallery building, which used to be a Handbag factory. I wonder why this is the only part of Fishergate that seems untouched. Perhaps it is listed (but it looks too new). It would be nice to find out.
There might be scope in looking at new/old materials, and in regenerating something old, however i would like to stay true to the theme of "wet", or perhaps i can reference the use of the river (maybe in construction or the transportation/movement of materials). Im looking forward to our meeting tomorrow, and am particularly interested in speaking to Laura as our practice shares similar architectural / utilitarian aesthetics.
I seem to be obsessed with the work of Mel Bochner right now, great as it is, this is not particularly helpful. Maybe i should think about drawing on paper more, sketches, diagrams and so on.
I will take a walk around Fishergate tomorrow lunchtime to see if theres anything architectural or structural that inspires me, and to see how i can incorporate the theme of "wet".
I would like to have some firm ideas to take to our next meeting on Wednesday. Other than my intentions, there is little to report so far…
