ARTISTS TALKING

# 171 [6 November 2008]

Re-visited Margate yesterday to sort out one or two details - remind myself of the spaces we will be using, test out my connection to the Internet via Crate's WiFi and meet Lucy Kirke from Turner Contemporary to talk about our Open Day and Discussion Event.

I also managed to take a quick look at Far West, the current show in the Turner Contemporary project space on The High Street, and fit in a walk up the seafront to look at the holiday flat which we've booked for 9 nights at the end of November.

A productive day!

# 172 [12 November 2008]

Just over a week to go until our residency at Crate begins. It's different preparing for this residency - we need to be very organised about what we will take with us. We won't be able to pop home for anything we've forgotten; we won't have a car to go shopping for materials in.

I'm pleased that we will have two rooms at Crate - it seems appropriate after Outside In and Under Ground that we will have one light room and one dark room to work in for Gone to Earth.

I'm still working with pollen, wax, sugar and paper after becoming interested in these materials at Under Ground.

# 173 [15 November 2008]

Saturday - the end of a busy week... or the start of a busy week? One thing is for sure, the term "weekend" will be meaningless for Roz & I until the end of Gone to Earth.

My notebook is bulging. How to edit and select which ideas to develop? What will be my focus for Gone To Earth?

Putting things on hold, into store, seems to be something which I learn to do more & more as I leave  one project to take up the reins of another and return again sometime in the future. It's great if things can be put away carefully, to be brought out again at a later date, unspoiled and ready for use. But I remember how sometimes circumstances turn our lives upside down in the blink of an eye and everything is left where it lies while we re-appraise, re-prioritise.

# 174 [17 November 2008]

IT STARTS ON FRIDAY

Only a few days before we are in Margate.  Been thinking about the roots wallpaper - how like a small drawing each root was.  I have gathered a bag of stones from Brighton beach and a bag from Hastings.  Most of us pick up stones and wonder at the markings and colours.  How to keep this wonder, to look a little longer? 

# 175 [20 November 2008]

PACKING

Madly gathering stuff to take - it will never fit in the car - ideas bubbling up - they all need loads of materials to try out - but I cannot take it all.  Will put everything downstairs and see how much I can get in.  Lots of ideas will not work but I need the overflowing in order to let things happen.  The hole in the earth beckons. 

# 176 [22 November 2008]

WE ARE HERE

We've arrived and all our stuff.  Lovely spaces and plenty of heaters for such a cold weekend.

Our stuff fills half of the space.  Lots of sorting to do, lots of work to do.

Fantastic flat. 

First pictures. 

# 177 [22 November 2008]

WE'RE ON YOUTUBE.

Our first full day at Crate today. We're settling in and reminding ourselves that the work doesn't usually fall into place straight away and trusting that it will develop over the next few days.

We've started lots of things and are uploading 60 second video clips to YouTube so you can watch our daily progress.

http://uk.youtube.com/AlderandCran

# 178 [23 November 2008]

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

Working on 10 ideas. 

I learn something new about birds from my daily drawing.  Blackbirds and tits and thrushes are 'perchers'.  They have 3 toes at the front and one at the back so they can perch on twigs, fences.  

Song thrushes can start singing as early as February. 

# 179 [23 November 2008]

SUNDAY

My storeroom has changed completely today - but more changes yet to come I think.

I've brought materials and tools back to the flat tonight to make more boxes.

STORE: noun 1 a supply, usually one that is kept in reserve for use in the future. 2 a place where stocks or supplies are kept, eg a warehouse. verb (stored, storing) 1 (also store away or store up) to put aside for future use. 2 to put something away for temporary safekeeping. adj. in store 1 kept in reserve; ready to be supplied.

(Copyright Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd 2008)

# 180 [24 November 2008]

SUNDAY

Where is the ladder? We borrowed one for 2 hours to get my bird up. But we need a ladder for these high ceilings.  

Made a rough sketch of the white bird.  Used PVA super evo bond to stick the pebbles - will they hold?

My half-made egg rolled off the windowsill where it was drying by the radiator and broke into shards.   Woe.