Monday 27th June 2011 (apologies for the lateness, our internet has been down)
Well we managed to install the exhibition today, with the help of YanYan, two students from SFAI on summer leave, Li Cao, YanYan’s housekeeper and a Ban Ban (a person that carries things on their back from place to place, and waits outside for work). The space is very large indeed when it is all cleared away.
I have installed photographs of the four external sprays, three drawings on architectural paper, three woodcut prints and a drawing of a world map, as well as the installation. We have also made titles, which YanYan has translated, and I have written a statement, which he will also prepare in Mandarin for tomorrow. Although I am pleased with it, the work looks very small in comparison to the height and size of the walls. I can see now why most of the artists I have met make such big work – most of the spaces here are so large that if they produced work on my scale (apart from installation), it would not make much of an impact. A few people have dropped in to see it already. We have still to fix the spotlights, and make some minor adjustments, and then we will prepare for the opening. I will post some photographs once this is done before the opening. Unfortunately, I can see now the practical benefit of framing – as the drawings keep lifting of the wall due to the fan so I have to fix them.
I have still had a stomach bug today but I have been pushing through, I am hoping I will feel better tomorrow as there are a few things I need to prepare for tomorrow night. I cannot believe my time is coming to an end (sad face), life at home will seem very quiet and normal indeed! (But I am also happy as it is only two sleeps until my partner arrives!). I feel relatively organised however, I hope it is not the pride before the fall.
