I met up with Ann Rapstoff on Friday as part of our research into collaborative work. Started a conversation about issues around working this way. Ann has worked in many combinations. We hope to arrange a meeting between Breaking Ground (Roz Cran and Judith Alder) and Kitchen Antics and Appliances (Ann Rapstoff and Barbara Dean and Hilary Kneale). There would be lots of criss crosses in such a conversation and I think many ideas may bounce from this meeting. We hope to get together in November. See www.kitchenanticsandappliances.com
One of the ideas to structure the work we do on the allotment residency is Art School. I took a blackboard and chaiks to the preparation day on Monday. After changing into my mortar board and gown I wrote the date and the weather – handwriting practice. Both of us are very organised people and working to a timetable, however loose, suits us. Judith noted that we have both used childhood themes in our art. I hated school when I was there. Now it seems quite attractive. A place to learn, to experiment, to make things
PREPARATION DAY
Roz & I have timetabled in three preparation days at the allotment to enable us to plan our residency. Today was the first of those days.
It’s been difficult to decide how to approach the residency – whether to arrive with completely open minds, or to have a firm plan. The point of the residency is to “explore the possibility of producing a body of new work together, based upon existing common ground and interests” and we are keen to make a space where anything could happen, but think we will need a structure which will help us to focus.
We have begun to develop a few ideas on which we can build and today we earmarked sites on the allotment where some of our activities can take place. We talked about what we think we are physically and practically capable of (…constructing a residence/shelter/shed – it seems essential if we are to work here for two weeks, but can we do it?)
The first time I visited the allotment, I took compost from my garden as a gift and the allotment gave me spinach. Today I took a bouquet of long-stemmed chive flowers packed with seeds and the allotment gave me fresh lettuce for my lunch.
COMMENDATION
Raspberries had two weeks of being top fruit and filled, along with strawberries and redcurrants, three delicious Summer Puddings. They have been HIGHLY COMMENDED. The last few berries have been rotting on the canes or devoured by snails.
Strawberries and redcurrants did well and are over too until next Summer. One goes with the seasons on the allotment.
AWARD FOR GOOSEBERRY
Mr. Worthy, my primary school headmaster, loved initiative. He used to make us spell the word. This is the spirit in which the Allotment Residency has been developed. I have taken the initiative again to create an Award Scheme for Vegetables and Fruit on the allotment.
Gooseberries did extremely well this year. Many have gone into pies and fool. This gooseberry stands in for the others. It has been awarded Second Prize.
First Prize went to the onions which were early, fat and juicy.
We will be spending a preparation day on the allotment this week.
