ARTISTS TALKING

# 21 [16 August 2010]

Perhaps its only after being sick in the bathroom you can only really begin to judge the work you make.

Today I began the first of four actions for the July Challenge. In a nut shell the challenge was to do something un-challenging, and I have taken four actions I perceive to be just this and escalated them to become so.

Today I took the action of eating ice cream and amplified it by attempting to eat four tubs. I bought sorbet as it contained less calories and fat than ice cream. Once I had got the tubs home the sorbet had melted. This piece is intended to be a film, and I recorded the process of me eating the sorbet. The initial tub had separated I discovered half way through, half foam half liquid, it was a pungent lemon which I struggled through. The next a raspberry flavour was a relief from the zest of the lemon but quickly became too sweet. As I started the second tub my stomach muscles were already churning and at least twice I almost through up.

I didn't quite finish the second tub. After leaving my self feeling severely ill and in need of the toilet and some water I resigned. After a couple of hours feeling terrible I forced my self to through up and remove the liquid from my body.

Completing this action although challenging and not normal behaviour for myself has led me to question what it is that I am doing. Although this is an aim for the whole project I feel that this piece in particular was perhaps 'art for arts sake' and perhaps not in a good way. I feel although the piece has obvious references but I am not sure the structural thinking has been solid enough to justify the work. I have potentially made a piece of work that I my self would look unfavorably upon questioning why this person has made such a piece. I my self find it hard to draw the border line between art and life, I feel that perhaps on this occasion I have created a work that falls short and is lacking, perhaps others will disagree, or not. Perhaps its the queasiness talking.

# 22 [22 August 2010]

Dilemmas

An inevitable part of this project is dilemmas, hand in hand with decisions. I am finding it challenging to determine which of my current selection of challenges for August is in fact the most challenging. I have so far received three challenges all from people I know, two of whom I am very close to. I feel a personal dept to these two people for challenging me which is a distraction from the decision.

In a nut shell the challenges are as follows; The first looks at collectively standing in concrete until it drys, the second is to produce an oil painting for the Marmite Prize and the last (which I think was off the cuff) was to make a shirt with no seams.

I am drawn to the shirt challenge, another of those almost impossible situations and I think it could be interesting. The other two I am finding a little too prescriptive. A lot of the challenges that have been submitted seem to be a way for people to make art work without them actually doing it. Perhaps at times they are unrealised projects or ideas. (Reference Unrealised Potential). Perhaps it is because I like the shirt challenge I am projecting a challenging feeling onto it and not looking properly at the others which potentially involve endurance. Although I feel comfortable about creating a painting!

The panic is also starting to set in that I may not have enough people challenging me until the end of the year. Perhaps another tactic will have to be employed! I think now is my worried period. I also feel that my quality of work is getting weaker, perhaps this is because of the nature of production being quite instantaneous!

Divine intervention wanted!

# 23 [1 September 2010]

Low Points

The inevitable has happened, I am having a project slump, a low point, a depression. The work I am producing I feel un-happy with, the challenges I am set feel un-inspiring, the durational aspect of the work is taking its tole.

I have received three returns from the challenge that was to challenge other people. The decision to contact these people who have yet to return is still lingering, should I? Shouldn’t I? Does the project loose integrity if I contact them, and pester them to complete the challenge? The three I have received back have however been very interesting, and perhaps obviously they have been returns from people who have already challenged me.

I went to yet another audition today, for the challenge to appear on TV. The audition was for a show called The Chase. It's a little like the ultimate knowledge based pub quiz only with a little more competition and more at stake. The audition was very interesting. We entered in a group of 8 and had two sets of general knowledge questions to answerer secretly, as well as introducing ourselves and playing a version of a game called Taboo. It was actually really good fun, and I had conversations with several of the ‘auditionees’. I have become really interested in the people who apply to go on TV shows, what’s their motive, what do their peers think, what are they like, how far have they travelled, how did they hear about it. I find it fascinating, especially as perhaps it is not something I would normally do. Many of the people from today’s audition had appeared on the Weakest Link, and one of them had won. I didnt get shortlisted.  

Another audition on Sunday, figures crossed its a big one! Also waiting to hear back from another.

This month after much deliberation I have chosen the following challenge:

'Sew me a cambric shirt, without any seam or needlework.'

Challenged by Rob Van-Beek

This month I could not decide between the challenges I had received because of the people who had submitted them meaning my opinion was not objectively just. I also found all of the challenges to be prescriptive, not having much levy for interpretation. So I had my friend chose a coin out of my hand, depending on what he chose meant I would fulfil the relevant challenge, and the above is the result.

I recognise the challenge is form the classic Simon and Garfunkel hit, maybe there is something in that.

I am still looking for challenges so email me one over to mail@ameliabeavisharrison.com

# 24 [3 October 2010]

The August challenge is in development. I have done some background research into the song lyrics the challenge comes from, and the material, cambric. The research has led me into the 1500's with the French monarchy. I am currently planning to make a shirt for one of the Kings during this period. I have a particular interest in Henry the 3rd of France, who had a brief reign in Poland. One quote really sparked my interest;

'The young king and his followers were astonished by several Polish practices and disappointed by the rural poverty and harsh climate of the country. The Polish, on the other hand, wondered if all Frenchmen were as concerned with their appearance as their new King appeared to be.'

I have also selected the September challenge. I chose it on the basis that I really felt I could get my teeth into it, and could produce an interesting and hopefully sophisticated work on the basis of this. There is both a freedom to it and a structure which I find compelling, opposed to other challenges that have been more sophisticated.

'Please could you celebrate Hélène Dutrieu's achievements as an aviator.

Her appearances at air shows earned her the nickname the "Girl Hawk". There was a minor scandal early in her aviation career when it was revealed to the press that she did not wear a corset while flying. In September 1910 Dutrieu flew non-stop from... Ostend to Bruges, Belgium. From 26 September to 1 October she flew, frequently carrying passengers, at the aviation week in Burton-upon-Trent, England. She was the first woman pilot to stay airborne for more than an hour and on 21 December 1910 she became the first winner of the Coupe Femina (Femina Cup) for a non-stop flight of 167km in 2 hours 35 minutes.'

Challenged by Julian Hughes

If you want to look at any of the other challenges visit;

http://ameliabeavisharrison.com/2010challenge.html

# 25 [31 October 2010]

Its almost crunch time, by midnight I need to have a decision on the October challenge. I have one in particular that I think could be really exciting. The challenge is to learn how to become a professional wrestler. The only problem with this challenge is that Tether (an artist led group based in Nottingham) have already commissioned a very similar work.

http://tether.org.uk/tv/archives/61

Although female wrestling is somewhat different to male wrestling I feel the challenge is a little too similar. Although every new piece of work is made under new context's despite the outcome, I am lacking conviction that it would be the right decision to choose this one.

My other options are to brake a bad law to make room for a better world, to show myself at my most venerable through my art and finally to say hello to the oldest person I know.

Initially I had thought that the vulnerability challenge was clearly the most challenging, however I have slightly shifted the emphasis of the project. I changed the emphasis to be aware of what challenge may make a sophisticated piece of work, because part way through the process my art work began to lack conviction. I have also slowed down the pace of the work I am creating, to allow time to develop the work rather than rush into creating a new piece. This means that currently any challenge could be a contender.

# 26 [8 November 2010]

I made a decision on the challenge for October it is:

'Break a bad law that creates space for a better world.'

Challenged by James aka The Vacuum Cleaner

Although I have many views and opinions on politics and morals, I in truth am not familiar with law. Other than the obvious 'don’t murder', 'don’t steal' etc, which are there for a reason, I’m not that hot on what our governments have decided to legalise or legitimise, or not as the case may be.

It is evident there are many useless laws, there are often stories in newspapers commenting on such. There are often stories on historical laws that should have been irradiated. One of my favourites is that it is high treason to put a stamp on a letter with the monarch being upside down. The amount of times I am guilty of treason is unreal, being anti-monarchy I should do this more often.

It’s all very well knowing about laws that seem silly or trivial, but when it comes to laws that are enforced and create negativity in some way then I have much to learn. I also wander what law I could possibly brake to make the world a better place. I believe in the actions of one person being significant, but I need to find something relevant. Luckily I have ordered a book on bad laws to give me some inspiration. I began looking on the governments website about existing laws but it is such a minefield I don’t know where to begin. Interestingly some of the most occurring types of laws they are introducing are to do with road works, that doesn’t seem law worthy!

I have also just released a confirmation letter that says I will be appearing in a TV show! Part one of the June Challenge is complete! Now all I need to do is win the thing! It can take a year to appear on the programme though, so no exciting news yet.

On a final note, I am really lacking in time and wish I could borrow a little, this challenge project could go on for years, not just the one! Here is some info on time related sharing http://www.e-flux.com/timebank/

More information on my project http://www.ameliabeavisharrison.com/2010challenge.html

# 27 [11 November 2010]

The research into bad laws is not going quite to plan. The book I ordered arrived in the post but instead of outlining several bad laws, it seems to be a Tory manifesto. There is lots of Labour bashing with a few nuggets about peculiar laws which is disappointing, and contrary to my own opinions. I have however learnt that it is illegal to own a horse, donkey or shetland pony in the UK without having an ID card for it! I’m not sure how important that is

Whilst realising this book may be of little help I realised there was one issue that I have wanted explore for some time. A few years ago I saw a documentary on the illegal hair trade that effects the UK and I’m am sure a lot of the Western world. A certain portion of the hair that goes into making hair extensions and wigs is obtained unethically and illegally. The documentary showed how girls in Russian were sometimes persuaded to or forced to give their hair to purchasers, if they were paid it was minimal. I plan to find the documentary and begin a new investigation into this illegal trade which will hopefully inform the latest challenge. Perhaps I will have to brake the law to highlight a bad situation, rather than braking a bad law it’s self.

I have had news this month that one of the people I challenged for the April Challenge will be undertaking his challenge very shortly. I have delayed releasing any of this information to participants involved in the challenge, until I was sure what the overall outcome would be. Despite my better judgment I intend to follow up those people who I have yet to hear from to conclude the challenge.

Only two changes left to challenge me, November and December, so send an email to mail@ameliabeavisharrison.com

www.ameliabeavisharrison.com

# 28 [25 November 2010]

November seems to be a slow month, I have been pushing the challenges, but submissions have been minimal, so please do email one. I knew that the project would have peeks and troughs, and am really hoping that December will be climatic, being the final opportunity for people to submit challenges.

In terms of the most recent challenge, it is turning into an instigator rather than a literal interpretation. I am struggling to determine what is law, what is an act of parliament, when things appear to be worthy of a law they are not, and agendas that seem pointless are law. It does however highlight the issues of a transparent government. Although information is available about present laws and acts of parliament there is so much information and so much waffle to go with the statements that it all becomes jargon and a mess.

I have taken the decision to follow my instinct and create a piece of work around what I determine to be an illegal hair trade. I do however feel that the trade is ethically wrong opposed to illegal. My rational for then taking the challenge in this direction would be to highlight a situation and potentially extend legislation to this. I have investigated fur trade, import and export, human rights which are all issues surrounding the forced hair trade for western hair extensions, but there seems to be nothing that applies. It is illegal to import or export cat and dog fur but that as far as I can see is the only ruling on fur, which seems very minimal.

Here is a taster of the issues I am attempting to address;

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/jun/25/india.theobserver

If you do have any legal facts or more information please let me know. Please also email challenges to the following email mail@ameliabeavisharrison.com

# 29 [1 December 2010]

I feel a bit giddy, since almost completing the June challenge to appear on a TV show, I seem to have a new bubble of energy. On Monday I went to Glasgow to film a new episode of The Weakest Link. I can’t tell you how well I have done; you will have to watch the show when it airs. It was a fantastic experience but I have signed a contract to not really talk about it until after its on TV. Never the less there are photos on Facebook. Speaking of which a small gang of contestants have now become friends on Facebook, which I think is amazing. From one small challenge a whole other area of activity has opened up, and one of the contestants, Rich, has even set me a challenge! I can see this particular challenge extending into a larger project, I have something up my sleeve. (There seems to be a taboo about talking about using Facebook as if its 'not proffesional', well it’s just added a whole new dimension to my practice!)

For the November challenge I have choose the following:

'Go to a crowded but unfamiliar street (ideally in a town away from where you live) Gather a crowd of twenty or more people around you, any way you can.

Challenge by Martin Reed'

By the end of November I seemed to have a reasonable selection of challenges, which really I could have chosen any of. The choice was split between the above, sneaking an art work into the British Art Show, lighting candles and making people pray, and constructing a weaving out of peoples shoe laces. Incidentally all of which made me laugh in some way.

I have finally begun to order the materials for some of the challenges that are still pending. This coincided with being paid which always helps. The weather at the moment is perfect for the September challenge to celebrate the aviator Helen Dutrieu, so I need to get a move on before all the snow disappears. I have a feeling I am probably the only person thinking that now.

With it being December this is the final opportunity to challenge me, so do email a challenge to mail@ameliabeavisharrison.com incidentally I already have my first December challenge already.

# 30 [13 December 2010]

18 days and counting until I will no longer be choosing challenges for the 2010 Challenge. On December 31st at midnight the submissions will come to an end. I do and will still however have five challenges to complete. I had hoped to have got back on track by having some free time but the snow has meant that the Royal Mail haven’t managed to get my deliveries to me quickly. I have three collection calling cards to take to the post office when I have a free moment, to collect my parcels. Despite Christmas I may actually be able to get some work done this weekend, and that’s a good feeling.

It feels a little bit naughty still having challenges going back as far as August to make, but at least they are well thought out. I have almost all the materials except some starch spray and potentially a fabric hole punch gizmo.

I have been writing down the challenges I receive in a small book, and am pleased to say I only have three pages left. Ideally I will receive exactly three challenges before 31st December, but that’s wishful thinking. It will be over or under. If you do have a challenge email one to mail@ameliabeavisharrison.com

From all the work I make I intend to exhibit the documentation and products at some point next year. I would also like to make a publication. In the New Year I need to begin trying to find a gallery to take the show on, which currently I haven’t begun, although I realise I should have done this before the project began.

Bring on the challenges!!