19 March 2011
Things are also moving forward with my Ambush project. In order to establish and see if the site is workable we organized to undertake a test dig. Trevor Thickett, the engineer met in Bristol with the manager, the digger driver and myself. We dug 3 holes down to 2-3m in the area where we propose to build the tunnels, without causing any damage to the trees. The ground did not pose any significant difficulties with regard to construction. There was approximately 1.5 m of made ground with the possibility of a high organic content. The soils at 1.5m below ground appear to be the start of the naturally occurring red clays with an estimated safe bearing capacity of 100kN/m2. with no evidence of water, which was great news. Trevor estimated that the larger trees are probably around 70years old and from the trial holes it would appear the made ground extends across the whole of the area where we propose to develop.
The next stage now is for the estate to supply: Arboriculturist Report on the trees with comments on their age and health; their stability if they are undermined and the best way of ensuring they remain stable in the long term; a detailed topographical survey plan of the site and background information on what other material may have been buried on site.
My 8th week at Pied a Terre were the discussion in the kitchen became very interesting, we talked about containers – body containers, sack’s… and Shane asked me if I’ve ever used sheep’s testicles sack in my work or have even tried sheep’s testicles? I said no but I would be very interested to see what the skins look like especially the sack!!!
So, in week 9, 6 testicles arrived (all different sizes) but they couldn’t get the sacks. Although the testicles look very interested it was bit disappointed that there was not a sack with them, as that was the part I was really interested in. So I contacted my Taxidermy teacher and asked if he could perhaps source some through his suppliers? He said: he will try and that he new a very good butcher near him.
My week 10 at Pied a Terre I met with Catherine Mason in the morning at Pied a Terre, who used to be one of the Directors at Calum Sutton PR, but now freelancer will independently work on and help with the PR for my project. We discussed the progress of my artist in residency and look at the press opportunities that we could create. In the evening I met with Marie-Lise and after going to an opening at the Austrian Embassy (Culture Matters UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the South East of Europe) we when for dinner at L’Autre Pied, one star Michelin – the sister restaurant of Pied à Terre, based in Marylebone. The staff really looked after us and the food was amazing.
Sarah Collicott and myself had a meeting with BDP lighting regarding my commission in Bath. BDP is one of the largest interdisciplinary practice of architects, designers, engineers and urbanists in Europe, with a track record in many sectors including health, education, workplace, retail, urbanism, heritage, housing, transport and leisure. http://www.bdp.com/en/Services/Lighting/
