end of week 5 and i’m looking forward to the beginning of week 6. i have one make complete, i’ve mentally and physically recovered and i can see a connection with the second make i’m going to propose to the museum tomorrow. i’ll leave what that connection is tantalisingly unsaid for now as i’d like to see how it’s received.
to help me unpack my idea to the team i’ve produced an analogue powerpoint presentation that i’ll indulge the team with in the space. this is something i’m really looking forward to doing.
there’s also a set of ideas i’m ready to put forward to the team about evolving the maker bar experience. for those of you uncertain what the maker bar is let me explain.
it’s part of the research currently being undertaken as the museum works towards being the museum of making. the concept of the bar is that when the museum is open there is a place to drop into and chat with the maker behind the bar and if you feel so inclined engage in making something.
within the residency we have been invited to respond to briefs set by some of the museum staff. i’ve found myself signing up to quite a few and this evening i was reflecting about wether i’ve actually over stretched myself. the thing is though that each of those that i’ve put my name to has something about it that i feel i can add to.
it wouldn’t be much fun if i played it safe.
i’ve floated my idea for the maker bar a couple of times and each time the response has been positive. now i have some sketches and black and white statements about how i would like to begin the maker bar evolution.
there’s also the preliminary research work for the re-imagined snee snaw. if i am to have that made for august i’m going to need to crack on with it quite soon. i have some components to work with and some code to research and test.
oh and tomorrow we have a session with an epidiascope from the museum collection. when i met with the head curator, the curator of steam i think is his title, he asked me tentively about what i’d like to do with the object. i am a one for playing with things after all ! he looked reassured when i said simply to begin with seeing what and how the object works. i have no idea what might be triggered for me and this is such an exciting place to be !
and if all of this doesn;t excite me enough… there’s also a gathering about the figment festival in august. when i met the project director back in april she was particularly impressed that i’d heard of figment. it’s a participatory arts festival that occurs in the united states and canada. the project director of the silk mill has managed to negotiate bringing the festival to europe for the first time. the day promises to be a smorgasbord of lovely things to see and do. very much like the residency itself.
