IN/OUT STUDIO

I am still struggling to sort out video editing facilities although I may look into joining the WFA in Hulme (http://www.wfamedia.co.uk/). I don’t know why but organised facilities always intimidate me and I worry that I don’t know enough technically. Although I have to go down this route as I can’t afford a new computer and software to work from home. There was an open studio at Mirabel however I was working all weekend and didn’t make it (http://www.mirabelstudios.co.uk/). I saw this as an opportunity to advertise a project I have been thinking about for two years although I am struggling to find the right platform for it. I initially thought of approaching galleries, but is it really as simple as that? I think I am low on confidence after not getting a few things I have applied for recently. My spirit of independence has taken over and I feel why can’t I just do stuff for myself? After a highly charged conversation with my friends I decided to make a quick poster. The idea is to meet individuals in art galleries and record the meetings. I don’t fully know why, although I think I’m trying to figure out my worth as an artist. I am advertising my time for £20, although I’m worried that the price point is too high, as I haven’t heard from anyone yet.

Not posted for a while as I have been promoted at work so my retail job is taking over. The post is a six month secondment and I am enjoying learning new things and taking on extra responsibilities. Unfortunately it means I have less time for art although it is making me think long and hard about what to make next. Having less time is pushing me to be more selective with my ideas and I feel I need to develop a new strand of work. I want to make a new performance with the video pieces I filmed in Finland. The first video is of an orange interior blind, which reveals shadows of leaves. Secondly the video is simply of a hanging cloth with the initials T.V at the bottom blowing in the wind. I envisage having the videos playing in front and behind me using my body to create the illusion that I am operating the action on screen. I intend to create the illusion through a system of a wheel and ropes, blowing sound effects into a microphone. Through a discussion with my husband about the work he suggested a third element such as a switch that changed images on another screen. I think my frustration with technology is coming out in this piece feeling out of touch and desperately trying to keep up with the changes. As an artist and using technology I can feel defunct and in this piece I think I am trying to make myself useful in a small way.

Blogging@11 11 11, In Remembrance, Platt Chapel, Manchester

It was decided that I would use word press and that this would then feed into exchange radical moments website. The night before the event I got my head around how to make regular posts on both and felt I had the basics to get going at the day of the event. Please follow the links below to see the word press blog and radical moments website that posted projects happening all over Europe on the day of the 11 11 11:

http://mm1111.wordpress.com/

http://exchangeradicalmoments.wordpress.com/

At the start of the day I felt I could ease my way into writing although as more performances began and the sound in the chapel kicked off I found it difficult to keep up. On reflection it would have been easier to work with more people although we all had the freedom to document as we wished. Once the event started there was an atmosphere of silence, which made it hard to speak to people. The more was happening in the Chapel I started to use tweets with images to catch up with what was going on to post as close to the moment as possible. Half way through I got a major headache from the sound and the realization that I was always going to be behind with what was going on. I did question: what was the point of blogging a live art event?

The nature of working in real time forced me to change the way I published such as shorter posts, using images, combining texts and letting other people contribute. Two audience members gave me images they had taken of the performances to use on the blog. Another documenter Jess also contributed her writing and support until the end of the eleven performances. We laughed at some of my mobile phone images as they looked like the performers were in a prison and not the chapel. I still used the images although later when I saw the professional photographic pictures they just looked like they had been shot in a studio, so which is more a truer reflection? Anyway I gave it a go not sure if it was a success, failure or something in-between but then maybe that’s all it can ever be.

• 
• 

Nicola Smith Response #6

Hello Michael,

It was really good to meet you last night I know you must be really busy.

Struggling to find 11 11 11 on twitter could you forward me the name and the host site for blogging.

Speak soon

Nicola

————————————————————-

Nicola

eleveneleveneleven

I will arrange the information re: blogging for the event to be forwarded to you regards

http://exchangeradicalmoments.wordpress.com/

blog

http://11moments.org

site

I would suggest having a look at them before writing in their site – getting to know the location kind of matters

We have web access in the chapel

talk soon

Michael

————————————————————-

Hello Michael,

That’s fantastic news. I really like the radical moments website. From what I can see it is already set-up for the eleven projects that are on it. I am interested to find out what the other documentors think about blogging and if they know of any other host sites. If we have access to the Internet at the church it feels right that a blog account is set-up on site on Thursday. Is there anyway of setting up a blog and twitter feed on the In Rememberance 11 11 11 website? I have seen twitter feeds on other websites which come up in real time, and blog posts.

I am not going to set-up an account I just want to have a look at it.

I am feeling your worry about when this blog should start.

Who starts it?

When should it end?

I feel this is a group decision/discussion.

I am writing on my own blog for now.

Let me know your thoughts.

Nicola

————————————————————-

There is also this

www.facebook.com/11moments

Related to the exchange radical moments blog site but face book

When we get into the chapel I was going to suggest you locate yourself on the balcony the room for a table an mac will be in the way in the main space – you can leave and be in the main space and go back to work on uploads – interesting relationship to the work as you can watch it from above – but practically its a best place – please bring an extension cable with you for your computer power – we’ll supply the plug point and electricity –

Talk soon

Michael

Michael Mayhew Response #5

Hello Nicola,

Passing some sites that have been directed to me –

They maybe of interest

http://www.onedayonearth.org/

also

http://www.indiegogo.com/11-**11-11 <http://www.indiegogo.com/11-11-11>

We might be able to hook into these systems exposing the artists work and the process of this practice – that has an existence of 11 hours

We can include this in our chat – Friday?

Which needs to be booked in as I am getting booked out –

Wednesday might still be possible – there is something booked but its not confirmed solid – if you have a location in the city – you want to meet –

Regards for now

Michael

————————————————————-

Hello Michael,

I have been working today at the shop, it’s been really busy and this is the first chance I have had to get back to you. I have had a look at the first link you suggested although I found it a bit confusing as it has the same title as your project although I know it’s part of a wider outreach project. However for this to work we need access to the Internet at the church or nearby the venue as it is in real time so would not work after the event. I need to re-look at the second link my brain cant cope with all the structure within it, I think it’s because I’m tired. I think it would be good to meet Wednesday night if you are free? I live just by Mancunian way so it it very easy for me to walk up to jam street.

Hope all your preparations are going well.

Nicola

————————————————————-

Hello Nicola

Yes all going well –

I will touch base later re: time and place – but yes we will meet

its just where as yet –

The suggested links just came my way and thought could be interesting – they’re options – which at this stage we need – talk later

regards

Michael