DEGREES UNEDITED

# 90 [10 June 2010]

I had an interesting discussion with the external examiner. Reading between the lines his main motivation for asking me in was that he had not seen my work before (I was not in college when he visited earlier in the year). I have to admit that I felt a whole lot less nervous after the discussion than I did before.

The Private View went very well. Typically (I guess) the vast majority of the audience were connected with the various courses displaying work. Even so, there were a number of good opportunities to discus my installation with interested parties and many art/business cards were given out.

All very enjoyable if a little tiring toward the end of the evening.

Before the audience arrived I managed to get some final shots of the installation. There is a small montage attached in the usual way plus this larger version hosted on the 11degrees.co.uk web site.

(click here to open the larger jpeg in a new tab or browser window)

# 89 [9 June 2010]

My last post before the Private View.

This afternoon I will be hanging around the exhibition venue less the external examiner wants to talk.

Private view starts at 6pm.

I'll be posting pictures of the exhibition as soon as I have them.

# 88 [8 June 2010]

F I N A L · C A L L

Exhibition Title

11°

Location

The Mulberry Building, Kembrey Park, Swindon.

Public Viewing

Thursday 10th June: 10am - 8pm

Friday 11th June: 10am - 8pm

Saturday 12th June: 11 - 4pm

Monday 14th June: 10 - 4pm

Details and map at http://11degrees.co.uk where you will also find a contact email to request a private view invite.

# 87 [7 June 2010]

I have a way to display my artist statement that is relevant to the installation and it can be located on the wall behind (beyond) the free standing installation so as not to interfere with the work. A business card holder is part of the statement installation. I say 'business' card but these cards are business card on one side and art card on the other with six different works related to the installation. They are in effect miniature, highly collectible works. I also have a stack of statements in DL trifold pamphlet format that will be available on a first-come first-served basis.

So just one thing left to do - be ready for a chat with the external examiner if called.

I am now relaxed and looking forward to the private view Wednesday evening.

# 86 [6 June 2010]

The exhibition invigilator rota has been posted (via email) for all students to see. Seven willing volunteers who have the sessions they asked for and four nil returns who have been allocated sessions on a random basis (which no doubt will come as a surprise to them at some point). Everyone now has responsibility for either attending their allocated sessions or providing a replacement (via a swap or a substitute).

That should be my last group task out of the way leaving me to focus on where to install business cards and an artist statement. I don't want them on or near the work as they would interfere with a very carefully considered and constructed aesthetic. I have two days to create a solution.

# 85 [5 June 2010]

I think some of the group are so exhausted they have convinced themselves that it is already all over. Getting a completely filled invigilator rota is like drawing blood from a stone. I'll keep at them until Wednesday and then just be happy to have done my bit to smooth the way.

# 84 [4 June 2010]

The deed is done.

My exhibit is ready and the support work has been handed in.

To do.

- Chase people to volunteer for the invigilator rota.

- Collect and collate special instructions for the invigilators to allow them to turn on (and off) any specialist equipment.

- Organise a list of work in the show.

I'm not sure how it happens that I have all these tasks, maybe I should invite others to contribute!

Finally I must mentally prepare myself to speak to the external examiner - if called upon to do so Wednesday afternoon.

I will manage to relax a bit by watching the test match over the weekend.

PS. I have since managed to raise some help with these final tasks.

# 83 [3 June 2010]

OK I can't resist posting another image.

Here are the internals of my installation as I left it today.

# 82 [3 June 2010]

Another excellent day.

A quick trip to B&Q this morning where I sourced the final few components to realise the 'tweaks' I mentioned yesterday. A couple of hours later and all was done.

I liken this stage of the installation to the snagging of a new build house - it takes a lot longer than you think - you need time to reflect on what you already have and what it might yet become. My advice for all first time exhibitors is: take the very earliest opportunity to get your work on-site and then spend time living with the space and working out how to best utilise it.

Give yourself time to reflect and adjust.

Having finished my install (by lunch time) I turned myself over as a helper for one of my colleagues. It seems my height is invaluable when it comes to positioning work! I was very happy to oblige.

Tonight I am taking one final pass through the journals and support work while adding some reflective thoughts on the exhibition installation. From tomorrow noon it is all out of my hands (for assessment) until Wednesday and the final couple of hours before the Private View.

I am excited..!

# 81 [2 June 2010]

Today was a good day. Everything is installed and could now be left as-is. A couple of minor tweaks to do just to satisfy myself really. These are planned for tomorrow and then Friday I hand over the support work so the assessment can begin bright and early on Monday. So that leaves four days rest before we have to be available to meet the external examiner on Wednesday before the Private View Wednesday evening.

A side job for tomorrow is to document the installed installation to occupy the last few pages of my last BA journal.

All-in-all it is quite a strange feeling to realise how close the finishing line now is.

No more pictures until I take the official 11degrees.co.uk record next week.