The late Clifford McLucas formulated a ten-point manifesto for deep mapping, and suggested that the outcome should have three components: a graphic element, which should be large; a database; a time-based media component.
Based on minimum ‘live’ visual research in March I started to make a large painting of part of the study area and failed completely. One of my unexpected reactions to the lockdown was a complete suspension of my critical faculties – classical anxiety symptom in disguise, I suppose. As a result, the painting was a complete failure and I have nowadapted my practice to avoid the Big Decisions – colour, composition – and gone for black and white. Reviewing my photographs of the original month’s work now, they don’t look so bad in detail, but the overall effect is mush. Also, I wanted a long thin painting but the painting wanted to be square.
