"Grockles at Sea" will present works which explores issues of redundancy, recycling, regeneration, failure, and desire. For this reason, Folkestone would be a perfect space in which to explore these issues. Folkestone can be perceived as a redundant town. The image it portrayed of an idyllic, picturesque seaside town is out of date, and is no longer required from it. It is currently in a run down state, and there are many attempts to regenerate its centre. But what is the goal of this regeneration? To reconstruct the town into the picturesque postcard image it was, or into something new? Is it not questionable to reconstruct the image of Folkestone using a redundant ideal?
The works presented unravel many of these thematic issues, which find their roots in England’s Romantic past.
It is interesting to think that at the moment the four artists are working in different towns around Kent for a show that will be set in Folkestone. I believe that factor is also relevant to the works that will be presented in the show.
The show was a great success. Although there was torrential down-pour at the opening of the show, quite a few people came. On the second day, Fraire Barnes, an editor of the BBC Collective came to visit the show, and wrote a review about it. 3 out of 5, not bad for show #2!
The work in this show was more focused than the previous. The work shared common themes, and were visually more coherent. It was more successfull in terms of the creation of a "space."
This show was the second one we have set up in the B&B project space. Although the space is interesting, we are currently trying to find a new place to work with. Folkestone has its charm, but its time to move on!
There are various places we are considering. One interesting space is the Substation in Margate. Hannah Lees just had her show there a few weeks ago, and it worked out great. Another space is the Transition Gallery in London, run by Cathy Lomax. We have still not talked to her, but she saw the first show we did, and liked it.
One main factor which needs to always be considered is money. It cost quite a lot to set up a show: Invitations, Materials, Phone calls, the renting of the space, alcahol for the private view. Probably a lot of these things could be cut down, but we always want the shows to be done well, and that also includes the private view. If there is free alcahol at the opening, people feel comfortable, and more willing to stay. The night becomes a chance for people to spend a few hours talking about the work and much more. So when choosing the next space, this will need to kept in consideration.
