Gifts and Occupations – August 2009 Residency

Well, the residency has finally, i think, come to an end. The work is up an has been unveiled to the college. The annual “Froebel Birthday Celebrations” marked the event and my piece seemed to go down well, although at any event in which free alcohol is involved, you can never be quite sure…

I’m pleased that i’ve finally been able to realise the work – its been lolling around in the back of my mind (and the tiles have been pressing patiently) for months….!

Looking forward to some feedback…

The Book of Knowledge – Froebels Gift

Well, I spent the weekend down at Grove House, Froebel College. Just like August, it was hot and empty!

This time though, i was not folding paper, but wading through the finished paper tiles, playing with them through the corridors of the beautiful house, and finally installing the piece. Its been a long time but finally its up. As the audio element was no longer feasible in the Book of Knowledge’s new home, i was determined to find a way to show the meaning of the piece and retain the extra dimension the sound would have provided. As a last minute push i decided to make some short animations to convey the idea behind the installation. Despite the short time frame i had, i feel i have, to an extent, achieved this. The films show the book coming to life, spilling out and growing up the walls, the sound of the nursery school children i spent time with, giving a sense of the child’s play involved.

The films also utilise the information screens present all over the university – something i had originally been drawn to as a display tool within my work but had dismissed with their lack of power over the summer!

So after a quick return to York, to sort out my own students, i’m now back on the train, dvd in hand, and glad rags stuffed into the bag at my feet, ready to present the culmination of a month’s (and a bit more) hard graft…

… lets hope they like it….

Installation video

Well, its been over 8 months since i finished the residency at Froebel college, but the day is now approaching when i will finally be able to officially present my outcome! Many issues have arisen, given to unexpected building works in the house where my installation was to be displayed. After much discussion with the University, a space has been found in which my piece can fit. I have also had to compromise on the scale and audio content of the final piece, but i am hoping it will still go down well. In a couple of weeks i will gather it all together and embark on my final mission to Roehampton.

The paper tiles i spent so many hours folding all those months ago have been pressing in individual folders, waiting for their moment of glory! At the weekend, i thought i ought to check i hadn’t imagined the whole thing so i dug them out, emptying 2 folders onto the floor in my studio. An hour of blu-taking and i was beginning to get a sense of what i had planned taking shape….

FIngers crossed all goes well in Grove House. Update to follow…

Well, my residency has technically come to an end… but obviously with the display of my work taking place next year, its not really over. Feels strange to have left the college, where i have been both living and working for the past month, but i’m pleased with what i have achieved, and have really enjoyed it. I feel as though i only just got started before it ended…

Spent the day putting together the electronics for the audio element and have finally got the 8 mylar speakers hooked up to one jack, with the aid of an amp and a splitter box. Took quite a bit of soldering but i’m pleased with the results. I’ll have to finish it properly in situ, so time to pack it all away until i have an audience!

Walked through ‘Lime Walk’ to the adjacent campus earlier this morning. I love being up really early, before others are around… I noticed things i hadnt before: the beautiful tree overhanging the lake had its branches held with wires… like a huge puppet that never animates within sight. The pathway through the trees was so reminiscent of my grandmothers house – the woods at the end of the garden with that damp smell of bracken and the rumble of the airplanes. Theres a plant tangled withe the blackberries that produces cottonwool…

Picked up my final pestalozzi diagram, that i laboured on last night… i still cant figure out quite what it is about it that i like so much… the simplicity of the lines? I mean – i am not at all a mathematical or geometric fan, but there we go… a mystery.