ARTISTS TALKING

# 41 [9 August 2008]

Th'Arctic Social Reports - An interview with Salford Online - 5th August 08
 
Tom Rodgers interviewed Rebecca today.  Tom is the first journalist for “Salford Online”, a local community website based in; yeah you guessed it, Salford.
 
Rebecca outlined her plans for her expedition in March 09, telling Tom of her strenuous training routine, as well as her main reasons for going to the Arctic.  “When I’m on expedition, I’m really in the Arctic zone.  I know that I’m getting a lot from this, not just fulfilling my own dream but it’s also helping me as an artist to expand my artwork.”
 
Rebecca explained how her family are really supportive, backing her all the way.  Due to the dangers that the Arctic holds her family do have slight doubts, but because they know that she is very passionate about this, they respect it.  “I’m a real family person, I have a very close relationship with them and they’ve been really supportive of me”. 
 
When mentioning the problems of an expedition she explained that “As an artist I'm very much an independent person, but when on expedition you become part of a team, with little personal space... I like working as a team, but I also like the silent bits during the day when you're pulling your pulk, because for a creative person it’s great; you can get lost in your thoughts and take in your surroundings.”   For Rebecca it’s the psychological side which poses the biggest challenge, not the physical side.  This being because it’s very easy for morale to drop, but “It’s very important to stay positive, so as to keep people’s sprits high” said Rebecca. 
 
The harsh Arctic climate however, may have already caused psychological problems for Rebecca though, as she found out on her Arctic training...  “I started dreaming about famous ginger haired men!” explained Rebecca.  Mick Hucknall and Chris Evans were the two who occupied her dreams.  “I dreamt I met Mick in a bar for a few drinks and then I dreamt I was going down Manchester’s Oxford Road in a horse drawn carriage with Chris Evans.” Said Rebecca “I was discussing how great my thermal socks were… He took a fibre sample from them and took it away to analyse”! 
 
So, there you have it.   Some pretty random and actually rather strange dreaming going on in her Scandinavian Arctic expedition, but apart from that, once again, a very successful interview by Rebecca.
 
The interview with Tom Rodgers should be up and ready to be read by you all very soon.

Maximilian Igbon - Th'Arctic Social Contributor

# 40 [7 August 2008]

ARCTIC OIL AND GAS:

British scientists say they have drawn up the first detailed map to show areas in the Arctic that could become embroiled in future border disputes. 

Mr Pratt said a number of factors were driving territorial claims back on to the political agenda.

"Energy security is driving interest, as is the fact that Arctic ice is melting more and more during the summer," he told BBC News. "This is allowing greater exploration of the Arctic seabed." 

Watch a video report here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7546417.stm

Or the text version here: 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/staging_site/in_depth/t...

# 39 [6 August 2008]

THE FITNESS WORKS SPONSORS TH'ARCTIC!

Yes, Th'Arctic has its first business sponsor, yesiree! And that is The Fitness Works. - David Brownley's Personal Training business, which is based in Salford.

I met David at a business networking meeting.  He was sat next to me and when we were going round the table introducing ourselves, David revealed that he'd spent 12 years in the army and had trained soldiers in Arctic survival and combat in Norway!

I suddenly found myself beaming directly at Dave (much to his bemusement:) And, afterwards I filled him in on Th'Arctic.  Dave was sold and agreed to sponsor the project by training me twice a week in the run up to my expedition.

In addition to increasing my fitness, Dave is also looking at my nutrition, training me to use a rifle (polar bear safety), working on my navigation and putting me through some lovely Arctic survival exercises :)

I did my fitness assessment last week in Dave's new Salford Crescent gym and did a number of exercises.  I nearly fell off the treadmill when I was running at 11 miles an hour (Dave warned me afterwards,., ‘don’t look down! ☺ and then he put my legs out of action for a few days with some gruelling squat exercises! (But if I’m being honest, I caned my legs myself with a fell run and cycling the days before, so it wasn’t Dave’s fault).

Dave commented: 'Rebecca's fitness is above average for aerobic capacity, which is fantastic, but the areas we are going to work on most for what she needs is Muscle endurance mainly in the legs, but it is just as important elsewhere, and also Muscle strength as this will make it easier to pull a sled and not get fatigued as quickly... I look forward to putting Rebecca through her paces!' 

I returned for my second session this Tuesday and we did weights to strengthen my shoulders and arms, press ups, then sit ups with a weighted ball, (which I had to press out 5 times every time I came up), and then loads of crazy jumping exercises. They required coordination, but also counting (for the reps); Dave has quickly realised that doing freaky star jumps and counting at the same time does not come easy for me, so now Dave counts :) Also, I tried to do a one armed press up by copying Dave’s technique… I think this was slightly ambitious, as I ended up collapsed on the floor ☺ Game on for session 3 ☺

For more info about Dave and The Fitness Works see www.thefitnessworksonline.com 

# 38 [2 August 2008]

Th'Arctic Social Meets BBC Radio Lancashire - 28^th July 08

Rebecca was being interviewed live on BBC Radio Lancashire's “Ladies @ Lunch Programme” today by two very enthusiastic presenters, Sally Naden and Carole Turner.  If you missed Rebecca, allow me to let you know how she got on.

Sitting in the front row of the audience and taking a few snaps of the “goings on”, I was able to listen to Rebecca as she spread the Th’Arctic word over the airwaves to our eagerly waiting ears.

This being only Rebecca’s second radio interview it was handled very well, she didn’t bring along with her the usual nine pages of scribbled notes that most people would do.  Instead Rebecca brought along the answers which were fresh in her mind from her interview last week with the features editor of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, as well as the natural passion that she posses for her life long dream, this being an exploration of the Arctic.

Rebecca began by explaining that her expedition will be taking place in March 2009; a 300 mile expedition between the two highest communities in the Canadian Arctic.  She mentioned how her training has already begun, by going on two-hour runs in the Derbyshire hills.  The wide-eyed gasps form Sally and Carole explained it all.  This would be enough to knock the average person out for a week, but not Rebecca, she’s up the next morning and ready for action, such lengthy runs are no real problem for her. (Editors note – Max, you are embarrassing me lol :)

Blackburn, Manchester and Liverpool are where her exhibitions will be situated, she explained how important it is to spread the aims of Th’Arctic on a wide scale and hopefully inspire more young people and creatives to get involved.  Rebecca will in fact be visiting schools and giving talks and workshops to really get the young people on board.  To quote Rebecca “I really want to get more young creatives like Max involved”.  With my name being mentioned, a large smile beamed like the sun outside, across my face.

By this time Sally and Carole were completely hooked on Rebecca’s ideas, especially loving the witty and catchy play on words “Th’Arctic".  They just couldn’t stop themselves from saying, in funny northern accents “Th’Arctic” whenever there was a music interval.

As the interview drew to a close, Rebecca then explained that she is looking for companies to sponsor her project and that she is also raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support from friends and family via her Th’Arctic “Just Giving Page” at www.justgiving.com/tharctic

So, once again, a very successful interview by Rebecca which I believe will have encouraged many people to want to get involved with the ever growing organic experiment “Th’Arctic”. 

Maximilian Igbon - Th'Arctic Social Contributor

# 37 [2 August 2008]

Th’Arctic Social meets the Lancashire Evening Telegraph - 24^th July 08 

As a budding young journalist I gained some vital experience today, with the help of Th’Arctic Social creator Rebecca McKnight and the Assistant Features Editor for the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, Mr John Anson.   

Sat inside a bright café on a sunny Thursday morning, Rebecca was being interviewed by John, explaining very clearly and concisely the aims and ideas of her art project, Th’Arctic.  I was able to take notes and learn how a classic interview by a reporter is actually conducted.  Jotting down key points in the “dreaded short hand” to quote John, he was able to understand for himself, Rebecca’s organic Th'Arctic experiment. 

In between the discussions, I was able to put my strong interest in photojournalism to practice.  Taking some shots with Rebecca's professional Canon camera, I was oozing with excitement. As the interview was drawing to a close, I got to ask John a couple of journalistic questions of my own about the best way in which I should enter into the media world.  I was also given some helpful tips on how to revamp my portfolio so it is ready for the newspaper editor’s comments. 

Today was definitely an amazing experience and hopefully the start of many more such experiences to come.  I must thank of course Rebecca for giving me this opportunity which I know is greatly beneficial for my career ahead.  

Maximilian Igbon - Th'Arctic Social Contributor

Read John Anson's article here:

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/blackbur...

(Editors note - I have put a bounty on the head of the Telegraph's Photographer in retribution for my Ewok photo!) 

# 36 [2 August 2008]

Introducing Maximilian Igbon - The first Th'Arctic Social Contributor  

Please note - Th'Artcic Social is a creative social networking project which I will launch on Facebook next month (see my previous post below for more info).  Max has been gaining some work experience on my project by accompanying me to Press interviews and his eviews will be published here on my blog, however all other creative content will be published on Th'Arctic Social when it's launched on Facebook.

About Max...

Hiya... I’m Maximilian, but you can call me Max ;-) Male/18. I’m currently waiting to start University in September, which I’m really looking forward to. 

I like: 

Writing: When I find the time I write my own poetry, short stories and now articles for the Th’Arctic Social which will be launched later this year. 

Music:  The late great JIMI HENDRIX... Northern Soul, Blues, Folk, etc.  (I love all the classics).   At the moment though, I’m listening to a lot of Amy Winehouse, MGMT, Niche and grime. 

Film: You can’t go wrong with a bit of Brando.  Stanley Kubrick, Jean Luc Goddard, Sam Peckinpah, (now these guys could direct). 

I have a really big passion for journalism; it’s what I want to do.  Photojournalism for me is also really interesting; I can now combine my love of writing with my new interest in photography working as a journalist for Th’Arctic Social. 

You now know that writing is my main priority at the moment.  So, writing articles for Rebecca's project is really helpful in allowing me to gain experience for what I want to do in the future. Well that’s my story up to now. Thanks for reading. Max

# 35 [2 August 2008]

I've kicked off the planning for Th'Arctic Social by enlisting a budding young journalist, Max Igbon who is 18 and from Manchester.  I know Max through my previous job working as Cornerhouse's Young People's Programme Manager and Max used to come on some of the film projects I ran.

Anyway, Max approached me about getting some journalism work experience and I have set him to work on Th'Arctic Social for the summer.  Max has been accompanying me to my press interviews to gain experience and to ask the journalists or radio presenters questions about working in the media.

So far Max has accompanied me to a newspaper interview with John Anson the Assistant Features Editor for Lancashire Evening Telegraph and also to a show at BBC Radio Lancashire when I was interviewed on Ladies at Lunch earlier this week.  (I'm doing a round of interviews to get the word out that I'm looking for business sponsors)!

Both experiences were great for both Max and I and as I've told him, it's a two-way thing...  I get to share part of my journey with him and he gains work experience.  Max gets to research things that interest him in relation to the Arctic and publish them on Th'Arctic Social and I get an enthusiastic young person to educate me and other people!

The best thing though is something I found out on the way to our first interview,., and that is Max's favourite musician is Jimi Hendrix and Jimi is my ultimate favourite musician! So we're off to a good start!

Max has written an introduction to himself and two articles about his experiences at Lancashire Evening News and BBC Radio Lancs. So I'll get those posted up next.  Thanks for reading. 

# 34 [2 August 2008]

TH’ARCTIC GENERAL INFO 

In March 2009 Rebecca will be doing a 300-mile, 35-day, unsupported expedition through the Canadian Arctic and sharing her journey with the public through words and photography in her live artist blog. Whilst Rebecca is on expedition her artist blog will be exhibited in BBC Radio Lancashire (Blackburn) and Cornerhouse (Manchester) and when she returns she will develop a body of artwork for a solo exhibition. 

Last year Rebecca was funded £5000 by Arts Council England to undertake three-weeks expedition training in the Scandinavian Arctic and Rebecca tested out different ways to communicate her experiences to her audiences. She wrote a blog which you can read here, exhibited creative documentation from her training in CUBE, Manchester, spoke on BBC Radio Manchester and gave artist talks to young people and the general public.  

Rebecca has since developed plans for her Canadian Arctic expedition and is also organising creative educational projects with a secondary school in collaboration with Manchester Museum and Creative Partnerships Lancashire and Creative BA and MA students at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Rebecca launched Th’Arctic in August 2008 with the assistance of The University of Salford’s Press and PR Department and had articles in The Lancashire Evening Telegraph, The South Manchester Reporter and The Manchester Evening News. Rebecca also spoke on BBC Radio Lancashire, BBC Radio Manchester, Salford City Radio and Manchester News Online.

Rebecca is seeking both cash and in-kind business sponsorship and Arts Council England funding for Th’Arctic. 

For more information please email Rebecca on reb.mcknight@gmail.com or call 01254 277 190.

# 33 [2 August 2008]

Quite a lot has happened since my last post, and my new resolution is to update my blog more often! :)

The main thing I've been doing over the last couple of months is developing my ideas for Th'Arctic and writing a sponsorship pack to send to businesses.

I've developed a number of strands to generate material about the Arctic and I'm going to use it all to inform the creation of my artworks.

I don't know what my artworks are going to be yet, but I'll keep you posted as my ideas take shape. 

I've written an outline of my plans above/below depending which way you're reading this blog! :) Cheers 

# 32 [11 May 2008]

ARE YOU IN THE LAKES NEXT WEEKEND?

If you are (and even if you're not!), why don't you come to the Keswick Mountain Festival?

I'll be there with my expedition Team Leader, Mark Wood, to launch our expedition.  Mark's actually doing a talk about the Arctic and our expedition at The Theatre by the Lake, on Weds 14th at 11am (so before the weekend); If you're around then go and have a listen... he's a funny bloke and a good speaker (and no he hasn't paid me to say that! :)

They've got a great selection of speakers lined up... See www.keswickmountainfestival.co.uk

Hopefully see you there in the sunshine!