ARTISTS TALKING

# 25 [12 April 2011]

No post since January is frankly shameful, a consequence I blame on been too busy. I’m therefore declaring that we will blog weekly (at a minimum)… although I’m sure we say this every time we blog.  

Our new programme Eccentric England starts on the 4^th May, a mere 3 weeks away! The flyer, press release, press and online marketing merry-go-round is in full swing…

Anthony Schrag’s project ‘The Normal Parade’ is chugging along nicely. The search for the most normal person via the Normal Person competition appears to have caught the attention of the locals. BBC Look North ran a story on the project, which meant we got onto TV! Whilst the local paper ‘The Echo’ are running a series of articles calling out for applications, and Anthony will be out and about in Lincoln high street in mid may with applications and a big sign, doing a bit of canvassing to the locals. A small package was delivered to the office the other day, in a small brown box that initially appeared to be a bomb, but in fact turned out to be a trophy to be awarded to the most normal person. Excellent!

Whilst the Eccentric England programme is nearly upon us, we are working on the development of the Charter of the Forest project taking place in Chambers Wood in August. Artists Richard Dedomenici & Tereza visited the woodland last week, led around the site by Liz Fluety from the Forestry Commission. Richard managed to find out what was and wasn’t allowed in relation to his contribution to the project, no dogging, fires, chopping down trees and paintballing. Glad that’s sorted.

# 24 [25 January 2011]

Hello! 

New Years resolution - endeavour to make more frequent blog posts. Possible a rocky beginning since we are almost a month into 2011 already...but from this point on I will keep you up to date with all the travels, trials and tribulations of Lincoln Art Programme. 

Firstly, very exciting news. We have published are very own newspaper! It records all of the events and activities held throughout 2010. We shall be distrabuting them across Lincoln, so keep your eyes pealed. Alternatively if you send me an email,including your address to bethan@lincolnartprogramme.co.uk I'll pop a copy in the post.

Plans for the forthcoming programme 'Trivia of Eccentric England' are steaming ahead.... watch this space!

Tomorrow Im heading of to a day of Strategic Marketing Planning training. Quite the mouthful and sounds rather intense but thankfully there is the promise of tea. Fingers crossed I come back with a wealth of knowledge!

Bethan 

# 23 [3 October 2010]

The work load has increased some what in the last few weeks. We recently found out that we had received funding fro the Cultural Olympiad for our 2011 programme, which is fantastic news! However we need to confirm other funding for the programme in early December, meaning its funding application time. One of our aims is to get more funding to pay for the time we put into the organisation on a more representative scale.

A couple of weeks ago we had the launch of the S Mark Gubb, Union, project. The event had a wonderful atmosphere and the gusty wind certainly helped the flags he produced fly. A bugle player played 'The Colour’s' as we raised the flags atop the Usher Gallery. The flags will remain on top of the building until November. For more information see:

http://www.lincolnartprogramme.co.uk/smarkgubb.html

At the end of the month we have a family in residence as Townley and Bradby come to stay in a windmill with their children. They will have three types of events for people to attend, an artists talk, child led tour of the city, and open house sessions. They intend to explore the use of the family in producing art work, and will open up their residency to show people their lifestyle and working methods.

Amelia

# 22 [12 September 2010]

Search Party took Lincoln on in a marathon game of ping pong. The Bristol duo, a performance company, specialise in participatory work that looks to actively engage the audience in actions that often involve sport, and competition.

Over the course of three days the artists staged an event where the artists played challengers who were aiming to win points for the city of Lincoln. Despite the rain and occasional gust play went on for the majority of the three days. After the first day of play Lincoln were trailing on Search Party's lead significantly winning 4 games to 21. The score didn’t improve as the third day finished; Search Party 61, Lincoln 14.

During the course of play we had the mayor, various members of the Lincoln Crusaders Table Tennis Club, and the number one player in the county challenging the artists. Despite the Crusaders scoring points for the city it wasn’t enough to rescue Lincoln. Lincoln became the lowest scoring city Search Party have played to date. It was also the first time rain had stopped play, which was an interesting experience, some challengers played through it, others had Wimbledon moments being rained off.

The Search Party event attracted thousands of people, crowds came and went, supporters returned, and reporters watched from a distance. The event felt that it had built a connection with the people of Lincoln, and the citizens came together to play for pride.

In a couple of weeks time we have S Mark Gubb's flags being launched from the top of the Usher Gallery. This is to tie in with the re-opening of the gallery after it's refurbishment. Gubb has looked at the representation of the four nations in the Union Jack for the commission. Being a Welsh / English descendant Gubb is particularly interested in Wales representation on the flag. The flags will be historical versions of the current Union Jack flag.

For the launch event on 25th September, we will have ceremony in the Usher grounds to watch the flags being launched.

See our website for more information:
http://www.lincolnartprogramme.co.uk/

# 21 [21 August 2010]

The Search Party event is just around the corner. Next weekend they will take on Lincoln in an epic table tennis tournament. Our intern Bethan has manged to get the Mayor to play the opening game, which promises to be a great start to the three days! (28-30)

Its been a busy week, we are planning for the other two commissions of the year, S Mark Gubb and Townley and Bradby. S Mark Gubb is making a set of flags to fly on top of the Usher Gallery to mark it's re-opening after refurbishment. The flags will look at the history of the UK nations and how they have been represented in the Union Jack over the years. This stems from Marks interest in national identities as a half Welsh half English artist living in Cardiff.

We are planning the flag launch for September 25th, and I am currently researching traditional nation cakes to serve as people watch the flags rise. There are some obvious cakes, Welsh Cakes for Wales, Victoria Sponge for England, Scotland has a good selection including Caramel Shortbread, Dundee Cake and Marmalade Cake, however Ireland seems to have less of a sweet tooth and less tradition cakes. So far I have found a Gur Cake, which I have eaten and is actually quite nice.

This week Anna Townley also came to Lincoln for a site visit. This October Townley and Bradby will be having a residency on a barge in the Brayford Wharf (an expanse of water in central Lincoln). The artists have two children aged 2 and 5 who they will be bringing with them on the residency. One of the largest worries we had was looking after children on a boat, however for some people this is every day life so I am sure its manageable. Anna has never been on a narrow boat, so we are looking forward to see how the experience will shape their work and what the experience will be like for them.

Amelia

# 20 [6 July 2010]

Taking place over two days (Fri 2nd - Sat 3rd) this Saturday saw Agnes Nedregard undertake her new commissioned work 'Pilgrimage of the Fool'

The project's pilgrimage format was kind of split into two sections that spread over the two days, firstly on the Friday and Saturday morning the majority of the pilgrimage was undertaken and people were invited to join from the various villages and landmarks that the pilgrim passed, and secondly upon arriving in Lincoln audiences were invited to welcome Agnes into the city and join her for the final section through Lincoln High St, and towards Lincoln Cathedral.

After a 20 mile walk on the Friday from the small Lincolnshire village of Woodhall Spa to Washinborough the short distance to Lincoln on the Saturday was welcomed. In all the pilgrimage was just short of 25 miles.

On the Friday Agnes began walking along the Viking Way which took her through various terrain, including tall grass, forests, and even a field with a bull in it, all before arriving in Bardney for lunch. Along the way she met farmers, people in the pub and was even joined at points by other people to share the pilgrimage.

After lunch on Friday and a short de-tour to Bardney Abbey, Agnes made the final journey of the day from Barney to Washinborough by the canal following a nine mile route of endless cycle track, before arriving in the end destination for the night.

The 3 mile route to Lincoln on Saturday morning was taken at a leisurely pace. For 13.00 Agnes arrived at the Stonebow archway in Lincoln center to complete the final part of her pilgrimage to the Cathedral.

Once at the Cathedral Agnes gave audience members marbles to plant around the grounds, reflecting those she had planted on route, she unraveled her bundle which she had carried over her shoulder for the journey. The bundle revealed a glass ball with a matchstick model of the Cathedral inside. On route the ball had broken, so Agnes took the model out and placed the miniature version on the steps to its parent.

# 19 [30 June 2010]

Interns and Artists

Last week saw Alan and I interviewing for interns to assist the Lincoln Art Programme. The process was hard as we felt responsible to each person, realising that everyone needs an opportunity, and all the candidates were really good, but we haven't the space for everyone. In the end we chose Bethan Johnson a recent Loughborough Fine Art graduate (her degree show piece was great!) and Nick Simpson who also runs the DR collective in Lincoln, we have also asked current student Georgina Gregory to assist us on a casual basis. Its all very exciting and we are looking forward to welcoming them into the team tommorow.

Tomorrow Agnes Negregard also arrives, its the day before her pilgrimage starts, so there is a lot to talk through. So Thursday will be a mix of intern inductions, final planning and press for the pilgrimage and office organisation.

We have decided for the pilgrimage that one member of the Lincoln Art Programme team should go with Agnes. So on Friday morning my self, Agnes and a photographer are heading to Woodhall Spa to begin the journey. We have until 7.00pm to reach our destination at Washinborough with various points on the way to stop at. People can keep contact with where the pilgrimage is up to by texting 07871335193 for updates.

Then Saturday it is only a short walk from Washingborough to Lincoln where an audince will gather at the Stonebow Archway on Lincoln High Street at 1.00pm to take part in the final stage of the pilgrimage.

The weather will be wonderful so it should be a great couple of days!

www.lincolnartprogramme.co.uk/agnesnedregard.html

Amelia 

# 18 [30 May 2010]

On Friday we signed the licence agreement with the University of Lincoln for an office space within the fine art department building. This feels like somewhat of a milestone in the organisations development. A space in the city in which the Lincoln Art Programme can function, has been an objective since we started in early 2009, we now have a postal address, internet, and a phone line, all things that bigger organisations may take for granted, previously we have had to work from home, but now we have this space in which the organisation can live and breathe from. No more meeting artists in local cafes...

Since acquiring this space, we have being discussing how best to utilise this new space, as well as an office, we want it to act as a hub for artist led activity in Lincoln, a space where people can visit, and meet, we want the space to help facilitate the growing artist led infrastructure in the city. We have it initially for 6 months, with a review for a further 6 months in December; it's up to us to show them that having the Lincoln Art Programme on their doorstep is a good thing...

We have started advertising and promoting our latest event which is a new work by Norwegian artist Agnes Nedregard on July 3rd, she is going to undertake a two day pilgrimage to Lincoln Cathedral, in which people can join her either for the final section of the pilgrimage, or if they are feeling slightly more adventurous can join her for a longer walk. Were putting particular effort to utilise online marketing tools, and in effect trying to reduce the amount of 'marketing stuff' we produce. I've spoken to a few other organisations who are attempting to follow a similar approach. But then again you can't beat a nice flyer can you? People like that physical object in which to hold, look at and keep...

Here's more info on Agnes project, on the Visit Lincolnshire website

http://www.visitlincolnshire.com/site/events/agnes-nedregard-pilgrimage-of-the-fool-p253431

Alan

# 17 [17 May 2010]

In light of a project that will take place over the August bank holiday weekend I Spent the other day trying to convince members of the Lincoln authorities that playing table tennis poses no risk to the public, can you imagine the headlines? Death by ping pong ball’ seriously though, it’s difficult to try and explain and dispel safety fears when in the back of your mind, the risk seems non-existent. But I guess it highlights the bureaucratic and health and safety policy approach of doing about things these days.

We found out the other day that our Arts Council application has been successful, which accompanied with funding from Lincolnshire County Council, means we are now able to do the projects that we have spent the previous months planning and arranging. Having a positive funding letter arrive on your doorstep is both exhilarating, and relieving, the idea of contacting artists who you have developed a project with and telling them that we haven’t got the money would be hard, especially as many artists rely heavily on commission fees in which to make a living, so I’m glad I don’t have to write those emails (not in 2010 anyway!)

We are on the verge of being given an office space in Lincoln city centre, due to Lincoln University giving us a space that used to be student art shop before it closed a few years ago. The space should provide us with a space in which to work from, as well as being one of Lincolns first artist led spaces, which can only benefit the students who are studying their BA’s fine art courses next door.  A word should go out to an old Uni tutor John Plowman, who has guided us through various potential mine field meetings with ‘estates’ and health and safety officers. The lease is due to be signed within 10 days. Fingers crossed.

We are getting there…

Alan

# 16 [5 May 2010]

Blog posts seem a bit sporadic here, so there is lots to talk about.

Lincoln Art Programme went to Bristol earlier in the month to visit some people in the city. We received a NAN bursary which was originally destined for another location, we never the less made it to Bristol and visited Search Party and Residence. The trip was invaluable, we wanted to meet with Search Party as we will be working with them this year (subject to funding). We plan to bring one of their touring works to the city so that Search Party can take on the city in a marathon game of ping pong!!! Everything is more or less in place we just need the green light.

We received a letter from Lincoln County Council accepting our funding application, which is fantastic news. It is as usual conditional on the ACE funding we applied for, so lets hope that's a yes, we should hear in the next week or so. Its quite a tricky situation, we have cleared one mountain but if the ACE mountain is a 'no' then its back to the drawing board.

Alan is working hard to secure an office for us in the city, its going well but there are many rues and regs before anything happens. We do need a base in the city though, this will enable us to be truly Lincoln based and can allow for us to expand in new directions. After all it is much better to have meetings in our office than in the various cafes around the city. Hopefully we can also get more people involved to help out, interns perhaps.

(We also saw Nick Clegg in Bristol, he could be PM in 48 hours!)

Amelia