So, I've been on holiday quite a few times and took some photographs with the good ole [bridge] SLR, Polaroid Land camera (SX-70) and the brand new but now battered Polaroid 300. It's a bit strange really, the conditions and events that has guided me through the summer. Experimentations, strange coincidences and weird strokes of good fortune have all been ingredients of my experiences.
The holidays recharged both my internal, mental and creative batteries, my health is on the mend with the addition of more fruit, less cabs and alot less booze and I have been part of three Art exhibitions which I think were successful. I spent too much money on certain things and not enough time on some others and I've made some extraordinary contacts both in art and music. The photography side of my work has taken over the wet-side (collage, painting and sculpture) and I really need to rein in my deviations, somewhat quick. I CAN take a good photograph but am I a good photographer? That could be an allegorical question or just some internalising about my weaknesses.
I have been to a few opening lately in Manchester. These have been Sculptural, Musical and Photography. The 36EXP was quite something though, the concept for this was that 36 photographers had to take 36 photographs. They had to exhibit their stronger snaps together with their full contact sheets. The exhibition was sponsored by Ilford Films and they developed the photographs. Some of the work shone through but quite a lot was a bit sedimentary and somewhat transient in style. It was good though to see a fellow Blackburn College pal having her work displayed.
There are two exhibitions that are similar in style but vastly different in aesthetics. The show at Manchester Art Gallery is bold, interactive fun and very entertaining. It is named Recorders but there isn't any indication why it is thus named. Only afterwards in a Uni meeting is this subject discussed. Apparantley, because the exhibits need human interaction i.e. pulse readings, vox recording, a light show connected to your heart beat and huge catherdralesque sized mirrors, the artist is recording biometric data for future use. MMMmmm, very intriguing, I suppose.
Whilst at the CUBE {centre for the urban built-up environment], there is a similar, I think, an almost socio-environmental science based show. These exhibits centres on what is probable, what is needed and what is impossible. I found this one better of the two exhibitions though as I am interested in socio-psychology and the environmental side of art. They had remnants of a toaster that cost a few thousand pounds to make which was really interesting to look at and think about, a device for phantom limbs, a menstrual machine (which WAS odd) and a display of whisky made from diabetic urine. This interested me being diabetic and what was ironic is that being a severe diabetic, I couldn't taste any...b' ah.
So, university life has started again and the project is [SHELTER]. It is supposed to be a group project but I am a lone wolf when it comes to work and I can work with a group though, so it's no biggie. I have started the project with remnants of a project I started earlier and the end of the academic year, I just need to tweak a few things and put some thought into it. My main concept is the site of half demolished buildings, I am interested in the weather-worn vision of manky wallpaper upon brick, rust and nature flora such as lichen and moss. I need to find a location for a set of photographs although I have an idea for a hard edged collage...
My main idea is to find a half demolished (safe] house and project some super 8 footage that I have of a sixties family and play a looped sound of family. I think that we are transistory in the relationship of house, buildings and abode and until they are pulled down, they are the dominant partner in the two-tier life of us and them. I think a house retains something of it's ex-inhabitants and it slowly fades with the new owners. This is my concept and I know, it needs some work and sounds a bit baffling.
And now, up to date news. My project, Lucien Fellowes and his Collection of Particulars is maintaining a slow but steady following on FaceBook and I am booked into the Link Gallery to showcase his collection of nuts and bolts, polaroids of the locations and at least forty photographs from his road-trip showing RoadSide Markings. This will be in the New Year and I hope it goes down well, If not b' ah [again].
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