badstuffandgoodstuff

Just about to start work on synthetic anatomy – this iteration is going to be better than ever. Barbie Pink! Changing the colour has an interesting effect on the structure of the latest prints. A fascinating morning at Greenwich Maritime Museum – interesting to see how embedded textile activity was in enabling Great Britians colonial history – rigging, sails, uniforms – the usual! The walk into town to White Cube along the Thames was fascinating. Great to meet friends and see for the third time The Gormley Show. Later a surprise birthday party (great fun!!) topped off the day. Onto screens – The Holdover – strangely slow but worth the effort. Infinity Pool – gloriously traumatic, fantastic. Lift – a heist on a plane lacking twists.

wherewouldwebewithouttextiles?

Where would we be without textiles? Easy – we would be without transport of any kind, standing naked, alone, and hungry in a barren landscape. The ubiquitous nature of textile activity seems to render it invisible from the public in general, although it plays a pivotal role in shaping their world.

From the moment we are born to our final breath, textiles surround us, providing comfort, and aiding functionality. It provides a way to express ourselves, it touches every aspect of our lives, even woven into the very fabric of our language as we spin tales.

Without textiles there is no fashion, either the clothes themselves, or the extensive industry it supports. Textiles define our living spaces. Curtains, carpets, and upholstery all add warmth and character to our living spaces.

The role of textiles extends to farming and agriculture, catch a fish without a net. It is fundamental to sport, and entertainment, try playing tennis or watch a film without textiles.

In healthcare textiles provide sterile environments, protecting patients and healthcare workers. Surgical gowns, and bandages are all made from specialized textiles that enhance hygiene and safety.

Textiles are an integral part of cultural heritage and support artistic expression. Techniques are passed down through generations, preserving cultural identity and encouraging creativity.

Textile activity extends far beyond what most people think of when textiles are mentioned. Innovations in textile engineering have given us smart textiles, which can monitor vital signs, adjust to temperature changes, or generate electricity. These cutting-edge textiles are shaping the future of wearable technology and beyond.

In a world increasingly conscious of environmental concerns, textiles are at the forefront of sustainable practices. Innovations in eco-friendly materials and processes are reducing the environmental impact of textile production, addressing concerns about waste, water usage, and pollution.

The textile industry is a significant driver of economies worldwide. It provides millions of jobs, from farmers cultivating cotton to skilled artisans crafting intricate textiles. It fuels global trade, contributing to economic growth and stability.

Textile activity underpins the very fabric that binds together our daily experiences, it shapes the way we live, work, and express ourselves in this rapidly changing world.

hanginghangingmoreandmorestuff

So after the private view at NUA, which I think went well. I thought the space was excellent but I had little feedback and you never know if you are pleasing everybody/anybody - students/parents/family/staff/academics/industry and past/present/future/prospective/proto students, it has been a week in London - Tuesday hanging work at the Business Design Centre for the BA Textile Design students at New Designers and then Friday was being in the space at the show talking with 'independent designers' rather than students, although the transition is awkward for both sides, watching individuals taking responsibility is always interesting to observe. The work and stand look ok and as ever New Designers is gloriously overwhelming and every second or first year student who is serious about being a designer should go to experience the awe and fear that is seeing the work of people who have worked harder, make more work and will try and are setting out to try and take your job. I'm always a little stunned when a persons first time at New Designers is when they exhibit.

Wednesday and Thursday was all about curating and supporting the students work for the MA Book Art Exhibition at Camberwell.  

http://events.arts.ac.uk/event/2018/7/12/Camberwell-MA-Visual-Arts-Summer-Show-2018/ The show is very specific and focused with each student developing a truly individual body of work that they own from initial research to the final pieces. Whilst supporting the hanging of the Book Art I noticed some interesting printmaking worth seeing. The shows will look great - the private view for the MA is on the 12th put it in your diaries, its always a roadblock so maybe come the following day to see the work, although that is the day of the Anti Trump march so you might be busy. 

Saw the textiles and sculpture degree shows at The Royal College - textiles had lots of interesting material exploration well displayed and sculpture was full of stuff. 

Went to the Barbican to see the truly fabulous Taylor Mac: a 24 decade History of Popular Music. It was chaotically beautiful, engaging, great fun with full-on gently serious politics - I loved Taylor's take on fear and disgust and the general desire of the audience to get on with each other, to support and share. A marvellous great night out - cant wait for the 24 hour version. https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/reviews/taylor-mac-24-decade-history-popular-music-barbican_46983.html

Read this at a friends house in a book about Pompeii - seems apt.

Now the crickets pierce the thickets with their repetitive cry, now even the speckled lizard takes shelter in the coolness. If you are wise, lie back and make a libation with summer-weight glassware, or, if you wish, we'll bring out the new goblets of crystal. Come, you are weary, rest in the grape and bind your heavy head with a chaplet of roses. Cull kisses from a tender maid. Forget about those who raise old-fashioned eyebrows! Why keep fragrant garlands for ungrateful ashes? Do you want your bones to lie under a garland-carved stone? Set out the wine and the dice. To hell with him who cares for the morrow. Death plucks your ear and says 'Live now, for I am on my way!'

buildinginvisiblespaces

the textile design degree show at Norwich is up and looks good - we created a pulley system that enabled us to work with the full height of the room. this has meant that some of the students full ambitions have been realised by taking up the opportunity to create work 5m in height. there is some stunning work within a system of walls and tables that have been designed and created in an attempt to be invisible, thus celebrating the work itself. come see - Tues 25 - Sunday 1. Next week is the continuation of the mountain - private view at NUA, building the space and hanging work for NUA at New Designers (stand  T43) and hanging work at Camberwell for the MA Book Art final show. The Berlin Biennale beckons - can't wait and have started the planning http://www.berlinbiennale.de/  . I'm speaking/running a workshop at Making Materials Matter Conference for teachers - looking at the role of art practice within a science context. I'm building the presentation today.https://www.oxfordandcambridgeoutreach.co.uk/events/making-materials-matter-2018-tea  meanwhile Rampage is great when the rock and the gorilla are on screen, I could watch an hour of that but the rest is truly banal.  

writingaboutselfandsomeimages

looking through Bilbao images whilst building my bio for OCA - trying to sound calm yet serious, established with experience but open to and excited by new ideas, evangelical about art and its value but not too straight faced.....#minefieldofdecisions

I am an artist. My practice has an extensive history of making, one strand of which explores the concept of bookness. The hybrid nature of the book form has led me to undertake an extensive range of commissions and exhibitions. The work can also be found in numerous public and private international collections.

A desire to collaborate underpins my work, evidenced in an extensive history of socially engaged residencies in a wide range of contexts. Teaching formally within Art College's informs one's own practice and continues to connect me with current creative thinking. I am interested in making work that communicates with people whilst leaving space for the viewer, enabling them to stop and reflect.

The work I am involved in with communities, pupils and students has its roots in attempting to make the world a better place through creativity. A belief in art as a tool for change, as a way of engaging with this world, of seeing its beauty and opportunities and supporting the individual to develop their own understanding. OCA is the future - I love the excellent systems that are in place to support students which in turn enable me to be a good at my job.

I document my practice here http://lesbicknell.blogspot.co.uk/ and to check out some outcomes go here http://lesbicknell.wixsite.com/work

I hope it does the job - meanwhile the images explore' ill considered street design decisions' and 'site specific textile activity' the drying racks with umbrellas are my favourite, taking into account the climate. 

meanwhile I Tonya http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5580036/?ref_=nv_sr_1 is relentlessly oppressive, but the acting is brilliant, especially the relationship between mother and daughter.

make:shiftshowsusthefuture

back on another train after speaking at Make:Shift in Manchester - delegates were very positive about my talk that had at its core in some ways a traditional yet erratic 'old school' approach to making through gathering - its always interesting to see what will happen when standing in front of images of one's work. The process of talking is always interesting (organising, sifting, sorting images, reflecting and clarifying) and it's rare to get feedback as I'm usually standing at the front in a position of 'sort of power' so the conversations I had after the session were so instructive and helped to place or locate my practice in this new terrain. My panel was full of people talking about fabulous new materials and ways of working - collaboration and hybrid approaching to understanding are the key - obviously. The Manchester Met University were running a collaborative workshop - they were such lovely people and I have some ace paper samples which I intend to explore in the nano project as they have different surfaces on each side so will fully exploit the haptic experience. Meanwhile in the Museum of Science I got the chance to see the textile history of Manchester be performed - the looms are set up and powered - the whole process from raw cotton to calico is show and it was just awesome - if my textile students are reading this you must go - in fact everybody should see it and listen to the people explaining the process's and the wonderful way they weave the social history and trade union activity within the demonstration. I had my bike so managed to get out and about the city - often a mixture of Escher like moments where standing on a steep cobbled street looking up a bridge which carries trains, there is a canal to your side and below that a dual carriage way, all the while surrounded by brick buildings built with civic pride, iron in the road, walls and sky, stone and warehouse regeneration modern sheet glass - I think that I loved it. Manchester Art Gallery had a show looking at Fashion - some good starting points for a discussion around a number of issues as the work was very theatrical, almost beyond catwalk. The highlight of the day outside the conference was the wonderful Rachel Maclean at Home - disturbingly excellent art, awesome space and really friendly, interesting, helpful people. I can't wait to see her work in Venice next year. 

patterntestinthehand

a busy session of heat bonding - first taking apart the material I used to make the capes as they no longer have a purpose and reusing the material to make structures for the hand - I managed to create pockets within the material, fusing rubber and using silver foil as a barrier within the structures.

bondingspace

playing with the properties of heat bonding on a range of materials to create a collection of sculptural bookworks - tools for the hand - reflecting on the images and films is a way of listening to what your eyes tell them. Wading through some terrible films recently after such a wonderful array of Oscar nominations but Ashby is a winner with Mickey Rourke giving a mesmerising performance and Macbeth where the mist is a main character with the stunning cinematography overshadowing the whole thing. late to the party but enjoying the cringe inducing girls - fabulous.

newcapenanonew

another cape video - the possibilites are endless - so here is the last cape video (for the moment).

nanocapeandhistory

The film has become nano cape - its the first iteration that includes
some of the ideas that have informed the ideas that led up to the designs on
the capes - the google sketch up work, film from castle museum in Norwich residency,
and live film of the lazer cut textiles from the Summer. Meanwhile its
assessment time at NUA with presentations and rooms of work to look at - the potential
for wonderfulness is all around - it will be interesting to see what the next coming
months bring. A film to watch but not if you're feeling squeamish. The Revenant is a truly beautifully brutal
film - hours of grunting, sweat, blood, dirt, cold and snow alongside the force
of nature accompanied by a soundtrack that becomes a main character in the
action.

capecapecapefilm

the first draft - first rough draft / layer of latest video. cape imagery created from work with nano scientists in Cambridge.  Images - Les Bicknell and Bob Bicknell Knight. film created from still images. models Jim, Evie, Bob and Jayne.

mirroredisbest

playing with the cape images - everything looks good mirrored! - and then theres some more films - Steve Jobs - managed to make behind the scenes at a product launch tense - then the film is really about people and their relationships with each other - the launches are a great device to explore the apple story and Fassbinder is frightenly good. Bridge of Spies - Tom Hanks is 'block buster believable' in this Spielberg cold war fantasy until the last 'memory train ride' but Mark Rylance understated spy steals the show.. Trumbo - yet again America navel gazes its values and comes up poorly - American Values. Snowpiercer - nonsense.

filmcapefilmgamefilm

a break but also a busy time finishing off the capes and photographing them in a number of photoshoots - am in the middle of learning new software to make a film comprised of the stills created - also managed to see some films - Star Wars - most excellent - it felt at times like a supercharged remake of the first (which isn't such a bad thing, or is it? It's at its best when the camera is observing space, following flying machines, watching stuff get blown up, shot and also looking at landscapes. Lobster - a straining tragic portrayal of the disconnective connectedness of society - a beautiful parable for this internet age- like! Big Short - a dark film about how the banks created a virtue out of greed whose style feels like something new - a hybrid - a docu-mocku-post-meta - informed by our experience of using the internet and how we engage with it including a montage found footage, infomercials and complex ideas delivered to camera by celebrities - wondrous. Anomalisa the 'puppet film' by Charlie Kaufman - just plain astoundingly odd, in a good way. Finally if you haven't already you have to get into the gut wrenching embarrassing train wreck that is Nathan for you - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2297757/ after binge watching some (every episode) I would recommend starting with smokers allowed http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5199634/?ref_=ttep_ep5 this episode twists and turns so that the 'joke' or focus eventually questions every aspect of an idea, nobody and nothing is safe, especially your own brain - all through Nathan's layered deadpan delivery. You have to see it to really get it! Played beginners guide - a great game - essentially it is a deconstruction of the very idea of gaming - exploring the relationship the gamer has with the game maker through the act of playing - existential crisis all round....

holeswithintheargument

busy working on two strands of work today - first lazer cutting more fabric for the cape photo shoot next week - this time cutting with the pattern in mind - scaling up and also leaving the designs 'holey' - taking into consideration and thinking about the light and shadows I've been working with over the past weeks at the Castle Museum.  second - developing the raw filming into 'something'.  not quite sure what they are or what they are for but excited to be playing with ideas around multiple dialogues through duality - old and new, light and shadow, heavy and light, Islam and Christianity even. 
two tales from and of America - two really excellent films - but for very different reasons - Brooklyn - the emergence of something wonderful, of a burgeoning beautiful possibility http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2381111/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 and Sicario - of bloated madness, a country seemingly at war with everything, even itself. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3397884/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

. 

ideasofbondedopposites

The bonding experiments continue - there are so many possibilities - here I'm working with a felted material and foils - the final fabric has opposites at its core cold/warm, dense/light, anarchy/order. The cape is coming along with a fashion shoot around the corner. meanwhile some films this week - Superbob - what if a superhero lived in Peckham and just wanted  to meet someone because he was a bit lonely? a great premise and funny in a melancholic way - I loved the people of Peckham defending him - "he's doing something important and its none of your concern". 71 - a slice of bloody, brutal divided Ireland - excellent acting but not for the squeamish. Suffragette - well I felt a little like asking where is Dick Van Dyke? it alludes to many issues but....but I get it that it's an important film but it only just makers it because of the narrative arc Carey Mulligan brings to the idea of loneliness. A highlight has to be Dope - it's a coming of age film with many many twists that take you to exciting places - the 'speech' given by the main character about not fitting in was wondrous. And then there is the great music! Our teams proposed presentation to be given at the festival of ideas this Saturday is coming along - there are some incisive questions happening which we hope will spark others. http://www.festivalofideas.cam.ac.uk/events/nanoart-perceiving-smallest-scales

bondinginblood

I've spent the week in Hunstanton with the year 1 Textile Design students from Norwich NUA. It's an opportunity to meet 'off campus' and all that that gives to the relationships. A glorious Tuesday saw a day of drawing on the beach and around town meanwhile Wednesday was visual games, getting thinking, challenging received wisdom and skill share - what a really nice group of students - I look forward to spending time with them over the next 3 years.
a night of boxing and milk - a pointless fighting - the fight we are all involved in - I have language on my side - don't cry over spilt milk - Franco B cuts a forlorn figure in glorious garb, he is reminiscent of boxers past their prime or saturday afternoon wresters on TV from the 70s - he is fighting for us and for himself - we watch and it's an illusion, it's all in the mind. A wonderful night at Norwich Arts Centre - if you get a chance see Franco B: Milk and Blood somewhere I would recommend it to you. http://www.franko-b.com/milk_and_blood.html

bondingforthefuture

as well as teaching at NUA and having a day out in London looking at exhibitions with the MA Book Art students at Camberwell its been a busy week of working a little on the many projects on the go - a sort of snowplough effect, moving along everything a bit at a time. It's become all about presentations at the moment - really pleased with the presentation and paper I'm giving at Futurescan in Glasgow - I've put back images of the 8 exhibitions that were part of the outcomes, the work for BAM at the Southbank will involve a sort of workshop/talk/demonstration and the presentation for the Nano project in Cambridge has a range of excellent questions which I hope will galvanize the audience. Meanwhile I've managed to play with the effects of bonding on the lazer cut materials I've been working on over the Summer with a view to creating an outfit - its moved on to the idea of a creative cape (with tassels). font - the Fiona Banner show at the Frith Street Gallery is quite intreguing with the layered dense intention behind its making. http://www.frithstreetgallery.com/shows/view/fiona_banner_font

backfromthepast

after the break from teaching and a summer focusing on nano technology, rethinking my role in education and family it was strangely warming to be back. A hectic week of dealing with the nervous and the strong-willed - NUA is all about learning agreements and the close future of leaving for the 'real world' - the what next. Camberwell saw a great day with symposium 1 where the students share their past and consider the future while we project our roles and consider how we think they will engage with the course we have built. As ever I am struck by the wonderful place that art school is and the wide ranging conversations that can happen if we let the systems that are put in place fade to the background and we focus on the role of serious play.  
meanwhile the date is set and the invitation is out – the Nano Art collaboration I’ve been involved in will be presented at the Cambridge Festival of Ideas - Saturday 31 October: 2:00pm - 4:30pm at the Wolfson Lecture Theatre, Department of Chemistry, Lensfield Road, Cambridge. http://www.festivalofideas.cam.ac.uk/events/nanoart-perceiving-smallest-scales come along - if anything else it will be a journey into the unknown with some extraordinary pictures! and finally - I know that I'm a little late but managed to catch up with Boyhood - a truly heart moving story - somehow about getting through it, this life, in some way......whatever that means  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1065073/ 

nothingtodowithme

working on a range of laser cut textile pieces - these are one of the strands of work that have become outcomes whilst working on the nano technology project in Cambridge. meanwhile experiencing something change around you can be a very raw experience - it feels as if there are stages of grief to move through - the Kübler-Ross model lays it out as denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. It's been insightful to watch the overwhelming series The Newsroom. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1870479/ although the program has its problems it presents the experience of change and the how the various characters deal with it - watching Sam Winston playing Charlie Skinner move through the deconstruction of what news is or could/should be was informing but painful - it was a shame he had to die but then maybe that just has to happen. 

rethinkbeforeitgoes

the films are growing as I work with the software! - the sound nods towards sci-fi and dislocation meanwhile before they are gone a chance to think about the deep rooted value of art schools in the culture of our society.... if you have a moment (2 hours) I recommend that you to take time to listen to Jeremy Deller on 6 music talking knowledgeably about the relationships between art and music - listen on or near a computer so you can follow up all the links from the thoughtful and intelligent talk as you go along  - (maybe leave 4 hours)!  http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0675mld