almostframed

The work with Jubilant! is going well – we had another good session at Stowuplands High School before we hang the work at Red Gables next week. It was full of great moments and conversations. I’ve worked at Stowupland High School over the past month mainly outside with Colin Ley from Red Gables. We have been working together with pupils to envisage the possibilities of a area adjacent to the school. The space is 65m x 57m with a barrow shape created with spoil from the building of tennis courts approximately 2m in height that runs East West to the North of the space. It has a range of vegetation covering the space - grasses, sedges, and plants. We set out to investigate and question the space to help us understand and map it. Focusing on the senses we experienced what the space felt, sounded, and smelt like as well as looking closely. The investigation included practical concerns including testing soil ph. levels, developing alternative measurements of the space itself and counting how many blades of grass are growing in the space. The idea was that by mapping what is there we could determine what could be. Some of the process is included in a small booklet which acts as a manual for future development of the space. We made a set of frames, inspired by the work of the Boyle Family, who have been making their Earth Pieces since 1976. The system they created to establish their working practice uses a framing device to enable them to determine what and how to view the world. The frame acts as a form of contract with the viewer. It offers a moment of reflection, to stop and breath, something we all need at this moment in time. The viewer is gifted the time to contemplate the world we live in; the frame organizes our thinking and supports our viewing. We know the world exists beyond the frame, but in a moment of stillness we can gather our thoughts, refreshed to go back into the world we came from. I’m interested in developing work that leaves space for the viewer, to enable them to stop and reflect. Framing the changing landscape means that every individual interaction with the work is unique, the space itself becomes the work.  The New Designers exhibition trade show was hung on Monday, the NUA Textile Design course stand looked good, I get to go on Saturday, spend time on the stand and take the work down. Meanwhile onto screens, His House – demonstrates the shocking lack of care in the immigration system. Love & Gelato – fluffy feel good. Spiderhead – twisted and spiteful. The Man from Toronto – has its moments. Deep into the unnerving Midwich Cuckoos series – disturbingly freaky.