ARTISTS TALKING

# 6 [16 May 2009]

3 redundant VCRs and 40lbs of lead = one happy Caryll!  Armed with a respirator and a prayer for dry weather, I can feel a melting and pouring session coming on this Monday afternoon.  This is the last week of studio occupation before the degree show preparation begins and I want to maximise my time in this end phase of my degree.  It is easy to forget how lucky and sheltered one is as a fine art student, having resources, information and usable space to hand.  Today I am hugely aware of it.  And appreciative that I have had this experience. 

# 5 [13 May 2009]

Just a couple of pictures really - I'm thoroughly enjoying looking at the work posted on here in the blogs of others so thought I'd join in.  I wish I'd signed up and joined in at the beginning of this year but good to be on board now, even if I seem to have crashed the party at a late hour.  It's getting late, everyone here is asleep and we're on the verge of tomorrow.  Hope someone out there gets some pleasure out of looking too.  CJD

# 4 [13 May 2009]

Some of my posts appear to have fallen off the edge of the planet - along with several brain cells these past few days....  Although there is still a month til the PV of our show, there is a flurry of activity in and around the studios at present.  This activity is mainly centred around the initial preparation of degree spaces (checks made with technicians about space requirements and technical equipment, sweettalking the buildings manager into providing new locks/wall sockets etc and of course threatening the current first/second year students with actual bodily harm if they do not scrape as much plaster, paint and other substance from the studio floor as humanly possible by the time we come to occupy the spaces to prep for our show!).  Sadly, the other buzz is one of general confusion relating to the peculiar nature of the 'professional practice' module.  The elements of said module are not hugely difficult and any student who has already sought exhibition or other opportunities outwith the university environment is aware of the hoops through which one must jump to secure such things.  A thousand word critical evaluation of the work done throughout the final year appears to be the stumbling block - mostly due to conflicting reports about the nature of this beast and the requisite contents.  I am looking forward to bottoming this particular piece and getting back to making.  I can appreciate the relevance and even the value of such a task but the nebulous directions are maddening at a point where the mind has bigger fish to concentrate upon.  Especially when some of the brain cells are missing it seems - did I mention that?!

# 3 [11 May 2009]

Most of this past week has been spent in a bit of a tailspin but today I feel things may possibly, perhaps and hopefully be coming together....  A useful chat with the Building Manager, the Health and Safety man, the busy but happy to be able to help woodwork technician and the ever wonderful porter dissipated several clouds of doubt about my show space (which became a worry late last week when a new location was suggested for my work after I'd made plans for the first space, tested a technical run etc).  The new space is large, will be more of a challenge to prepare and to execute my plans in but will make a positive difference to the visibility and ambition of the work. 

  Once I have the opportunity to speak to our overworked but hugely accommodating technician about the hardware I need to borrow and the logistics of its positioning in the new space, I may be free to panic simply about the sheer amount of work I have to do once my space is released rather than the unknown quantities relating to the roles of others with the power of veto......  I am not the only one to be feeling uneasy - how strange it is to have the sum total of three years work be dependent upon one final show! 

  Starting to consider the making side in earnest now - and hoping I have enough time before the assessments begin when preparing such a big space on my own may amount to the task of Sisyphus....  I'm also making applications to exhibit work after the degree show date - another odd feeling to be considering life after such a red letter event.  Plate spinning is the way forwards.

# 2 [6 May 2009]

http://www.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/whatson/single/527302/1

Being an afterthought is no insult - for surely it is better to be thought of at all than not......

# 1 [6 May 2009]

It's a strange feeling, being on the verge of holding a degree show.  There is a sense of quiet urgency, almost desperation, around the third year studios which is coupled with an odd absence as some students have packed up and headed for home to await the release of their show space.  Nonetheless, those present seem hugely focussed and keen to make the show a success.  So the unease is not entirely unpleasant, there seems to be a concentration of intention and drive behind it.Anyone involved in the degree show committee has the added pressure of queries about the PR for the show, usually from those who have studiously avoided all involvement up until this late point.  However, there are a lot of terrific things being done by art students in this university.  It may not have the PR gloss or private backing of some of the other art schools out there, but within the walls of this adapted old house in the grounds of a tree filled park can be found some inspirational staff and inspired students.  I would like to use this blog to invite everyone to visit us and see what has been happening here.  We all attend our chosen universities for a plethora of reasons but as of July this year we will be set adrift in the same boat.  Come and see who you are going to be sailing with?  I know I plan to visit as many of you as time will permit.Wishing you all great shows,CJD.