conference room set up

Roland Barthes- To the seminar

Is this a real site or an imaginary one? Neither. An institution is treated in the utopian mode: I outline a space and call it: seminar. It is quite true that the gathering in question is held weekly in Paris, i.e. here and now; but these adverbs are also those of fantasy. Thus, no guarantee of reality, but also nothing gratuitous about the anecdote. One might put things differently: that the (real) seminar is for me the object of a (minor) delirium, and that my relations with this object are, literally, amorous.

Roundtable discussion... personal thoughts

The roundtable discussion went well. Naturally, it took a while for it to get started, for people to be comfortable enough to speak up.

 

Time was spent discussing individual roles and the logistics of the project as oppose to a critical analysis of it.

However, some interesting questions came up regarding the documentation of the project, and how we envisaging packaging the project up to the residents of Slateford Green, the Resident's Association, our tutors and an art gallery. That each different audience would require a different presentation of the project according to their interests in art and social engagement work.

It was suggested that we made publications, like a book, with some of the money left over £600

It was also suggested that we speak to the children themselves to gain their feedback and opinions of the project. This is a very valid response and something Alyssa and I had already considered. 

There was a little dispute as to whether our roles were as 'artists' or not. I believe our roles were as artists, Alyssa thinks otherwise.

I will make a full transcription of the discussion to recall specific issues up more clearly

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From a personal standpoint, what I really enjoyed and took from the discussion was the physical space of the conference room, that is never used for crits, but for far more corporate events. Initially, i think it gave a particularly serious and stiff atmosphere to the discussion, which was slightly ridiculous because I have never placed myself or my work up in that domain- it felt quite stiff-lipped and professional. This impression however was not permanent and people did feel comfortable- it was a purely superficial observation. It is surprising how easily one can assume another role of facade within a professional environment.  Professionalism is easily adopted or performed.

It is also interesting that that space, the conference room, is always there and probably hardly ever used. I am interested with my framing to continue to find spaces like this in the college to cultivate idea and exchange between people. Not only at the art school, but also from the wider public, as yesterday demonstrated.

Framing spaces, between places, and the potential of that space

I couldn't throw this frame away after performing in it a year ago. I kept it and now frames my studio space (photo to be uploaded).
It creates a new space, contains a transferable space, or subsumes which ever space it occupies- the objects and/or the immaterial processes that occur there.
I have been thinking about the ethnological role of my practice- of researching and analyzing the function or physical spaces within the art school. I am gathering documents of the real processes and objects that manifest or belong within the institutional frame of the art school.
I am starting to consider this frame as a space of potentiality. A space within which plastic and social, literal and metaphorical experimentation can take place. It is withing this space that I with to frame my intentions as an artist, as the physical boundaries of my creativity, as the epicenter of creative activity. It will also create a frame(work) to generate criticality amongst contributors, viewers and myself.
I wish to carry the frame around different parts of the art school and document its physicality in relation to the changing surrounding spaces to consider the potential sites for my events to take place in. To also show an awareness of the different spaces in college- their appearance, dimensions, functions and visibility within the infrastructural framework. As spaces where new structures can be explored, perhaps using old models to open-ends.

residency/studying in the Netherlands

a suggestion from a friend:

http://www.enter1646.com/

Drawing exhibition

This is the email that Sarah sent around regarding the intermedia drawing exhibition:

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Hello arty chums and chumettes.
I have spoken to a few people today about the potential of organising a 'drawing exhibition'. People seemed to be KEEEEEEEEEEN. When I say 'drawing', I mean it in the LOOSEST of terms... we're all in final year, you know what I mean by this... But I guess like it could be an physical manifestation of a movement through/manipulataion of SPACE? Or a 'drawing together of research' that you would like to informally set up/ show as a body of work in a space that you might not otherwise get the chance to do so...

Obviously not everyone has to be involved... totally up to you. I am happy to take on a lot of the organisatioanl responsibilty too...

But for those who would like to be, I think it would be a really great idea to come together and get slick at putting up shows as a group - considering that we have to do this FAIRLY seriously at the end of the year!! May as well start early... plus our art this year so far might not exist as a 'piece of work' yet, but we still feel as though it has some artistic value etcetc... yadadadahhh.

ANYHOO. in terms of WHERE and when? Spoke to Steve and Becca who both suggested some interesting places... Becca mentioned the space beneath Forest Cafe which is undegoing some changes? (am i right?) that she might be able to get for us, which would be COOL... Steve mentioned the possibility of getting the little round space at the top of the Talbot Rice... but that might be too small... There are others, but I won't bore you yet.
But firstly, ARE PEOPLE KEEN?

xxx

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I would like to put the sketchbook library into this exhibition. Or perhaps the life drawing classes. However, I would have liked to have had that piece in the institutional building of ECA. Within the confines of the intermedia department- as the discussion will be about issues within the art school. Although, this exhibition could be a good place to experiment with the idea. We'll see.

Life Drawing research

Ewan Robertson took the class today. 

He said that it had been a hectic morning and so it wasn't set up as he ideally would have liked. 

He said that he would have preferred to use drawing boards (not fold out tables) that are available to borrow from the painting department

Ewan walked around and kept an eye on the students and gave general advice to the students about what he wanted from the drawing. He said it was the first time some of the students had ever done life drawing, so today was really about getting them used to the space and the routine, the human form and its surrounding areas. It seemed to be quite a loose drawing class

he has the class for 2.5 hours

there were 16 students

10minute poses, then 15 minute poses. a 30 minute break then 30 minute drawing and a discussion at the end

Some sketches and notes I took

It was helpful to sit in on a glass. It allowed me to visualise how I would like my life drawing classes to take place. I imagined a stage upon which the model sits/stands/walks around and poses questions to the drawers who will then begin a discussion around that topic.