The officially renamed All That Mighty Heart was launched on the general public at the Phoenix Brighton Open last weekend. Framed collages and a ‘research wall’ showed found material, images, drawings and extracts from the blog illustrating how the work is developing. After a week of illness at the printers the card stand, by the work, didn’t provide the contact details and email address to take away. Best laid plans. But they are done now and ready to start spreading the word!
It has been so long since I’ve let ideas freefall and hope they land in an innovative and reasoned manner. I’ve now made enough mind maps to cover a steam engine, but ideas do come together when you have time to let them. And contrary to belief…the lengthy bus rides to school are not bereft of suitable stimulus for drawing those map strands together. I walked the quiet lane to the Waterworks Cottages (early for the bus one day!) The silence allowed me to picture the workers in their caps and boots crunching along the flinty path. Back at the Engineerium the diggers have moved in to start the new work. The silence is coming to an end. I am glad of the last few months of visualising in the stillness.
Back in the studio, between school runs and hefty preparing for Phoenix Open, I have been experimenting with ageing paper, making it, with candles, tea and lemon juice and adding decades to my images. I’m still enjoying my Rotring (even more so since Peter informed me he uses his to outline the lettering on the side of his engines.) Acting instantly on ideas without worrying about the outcome is becoming a bit easier, again with the luxury of time after last week’s frantic timetable.
Engineers Report Book January 19th 1875
I beg to report the current wages at the Goldstone works;
J Baker 2/10/- a week Engineer
T Waite 24/- day Stoker
G Cosham 20/- day Stoker
King 22/- day Stoker
Adams 22/- Labourer
R Alderton 1/- a week Office boy
A Colessida 26/- Is a fitter and repairs meters and fixes the same, and sluice and sometimes assists the turncock
My Notebook September 2009
Ladies and Gentlemen, I beg to report that the mountain of material in the store changes the shape of the undertaking. Plans and documents have been clarified free from copyright and reproduction issues, -and importantly costs, thus the publication has taken on a new life. The Jackdaw and the Engineers Notebook Series inspire and Waterworks memo’s, notes and plans have been scanned and reviewed over this recent school holiday.
On a recent visit to the workshop ideas were discussed. Whilst partaking of a beverage with the Goldstone workers ‘Brass’ as a title is now discarded on discovering it is an alloy and not present in the machinery (only on plaques around the building.) After talk of the true description of a cog I returned to notice the silence of the building and the sound of the Edward Funnell clock. I proceeded to film the situation. Adding this feeling of standstill to my mind map a clear theme and final title emerge – in the words of Wordsworth ‘All that Mighty Heart Stands Still’
My thoughts no longer feel compromised, but fed, by all the findings which now, through their own quality and quantity, find their own life in a unique pubication.
Here I am thinking I’m following a new direction when it appears that my past is just re- emerging! ‘Art and the Industrial Revolution’ (Klingender), which kick started my reading, is the book I discovered during A level Art.
Recent attempts at more technically accurate drawings reminded me of my Rotring pens and my nostalgia for once tracing out Future Bold on a light box, before the days of computer typography. I’ve dug out my much cherished pens (some were my Father’s from his mine surveying day) and abandoned any thoughts of charcoal (a fleeting ‘coal like’ consideration) Revisiting old sketchbooks (hunting down a drawing I once did of a Lego man- for my little boy!) I found the Sheeler like drawings I made of the steelworks in my native Yorkshire.
It all stacks up! A deep affection for the industrial landscape and people combined with the satisfaction I get from a graphic meticulousness. I am about to do a timeline of my life and list all my past creative obsessions and see if there is anything else that sits comfortably amid all this research.
Engineers Report Book October 12th 1875
I beg to submit to your notice a sample of the present quantity of coal now being delivered, which appears inferior to the last.
Your Obedient Servant, J Johnston
My Notebook June 2009
Ladies and Gentlemen, I beg to report that I was at the Goldstone works last week and can inform you that I have spent some time at the works rediscovering my skills, long since used, of penmanship and have embarked on drawings of draftsman like intent and collages with a feel of exactitude. I can report that the meeting has been arranged for 9.30am on the morning of the 11th to commence the hunt through the pumping station’s own aged documents in storage. It is anticipated to reveal the daily routine of the blacksmith and workers of such like. I can also report that a clear summary of intent for this exhibition has now been composed and is ready to mail to the building’s former industrial archaeologist and a steam enthusiast of high regard.
