archivingthepastforthefuture

 

a busy week of clearing away CDs, floppy discs, zip drives, mini discs and tapes that formed the ‘archive of my work’. These have been stored over the last 20ish years and have just been cluttering up shelves in my studio so it was time to copy what was wanted/needed onto hard drives. It was interesting to see work on hardware and software that no longer exists – thinking about archivists and the digital issues they will have in the future. It was fascinating to review the exhibition I had at Focal Point – early digital books created in a program called RayDream, luckily, I had TIFFs saved so here they are. Meanwhile to the screen - I care a lot. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9893250/ Wonderfully dark characters within a superbly twisted plot. Still deep into living the lives of the characters in insecure – now onto the second series. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5024912/

beachfolding

working on new models for the Leicester Print Works workshops, building structures that will relate to the set tasks is a challenge but fun one. Long walks. some films The Little Things – Denzel does his thing, unfortunately nobody else does and the women all appear to be dead. Booksmart – alternative values valued. Bliss – good or bad – unsure.  Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar – insane, in a good way. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3797512/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0  The Paperboy – it’s all there, not in a good way. Lupin, gloriously wry in a knowing way.

crushcrushed

The films I have been creating on a subconscious level actually, when reflected on appear to be about the now. squash, squeeze, press, compress, quell, crush, nip, grip, force, crowd, crush – pressure from above. The work with Kings is going well – running practical workshops digitally takes a lot of work and planning to make it look and feel as casual as it needs to be. I’m working with a great, supportive  team so everything is a pleasure. Some screen stuff-  Quo vadis, Aida? – yes, it is challenging – very  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8633462/  Pieces of a Woman – yes, it is traumatic – very https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11161474/ I can’t get you out of my head – yes, it is truly disturbing – very https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13973190/?ref_=nm_flmg_dr_1 Adam Curtis does it again.

behindthemagic

The truth behind the magic! – the on-line bookmaking sessions for Leicester Print Works appear to be going well – there are two courses at the moment and some interesting work is coming out of the workshops. It’s been an interesting exercise rethinking 26 years of thinking about books, reconfiguring and embedding it into the two program. Meanwhile the screen delivers The Dig – all very lovely and everything, Call my agent – probably missing the point about the role of the French actors. James Cousins Company has a great site with links to some beautiful dance pieces – The Secret of Having it all is especially excellent -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBAG7foEu_4&feature=emb_logo&ab_channel=JAMESCOUSINSCOMPANY

thinkingaboutthelonggonepast

 

unfoldingwalksandwatching

Work in terms of engaging with students on synthetic anatomy at Kings has started, online has made the work more focused and less ‘roaming’ we will see if the experience will be as rich – for both the participants and the teaching team – so far so good. The bookness course at Leicester Print Works continues. There is some exciting work created and even more, so the conversations are positive. after listening to Historian David Olusoga on Desert Island Discs (the most excellent tracks) Fela Kuti - Zombie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qj5x6pbJMyU Bob Marley & The Wailers - You Can't Blame The Youth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3pi-6fInng Dr. Alimantado - Just The Other Day https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay1c_oQUVUg I thought I would check out his work  - a house through time can be watched on iplayer - excellent - check out your history and privilege https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7829950/?ref_=nm_flmg_wr_1. American utopia https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11874226/ if you love talking heads and David Byrne you will love this but even if you do not there is much to enjoy. One Night in Miami - icons meet to explore and discuss https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10612922/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0 Nomadland – truly harrowing and dysfunctional but lots to learn here Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love – dubious unless you like Leonard Cohen but great landscapes Bridgerton – good frocks in between the sex if that’s your thinghttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt9770150/ finally a desolate portrayal of Oscar Wilde by Rupert Everett in The Happy Prince. Meanwhile in between walking I have become interested in the folding narratives encountered within packaging!

walkingandlookingand

the break has been all about long walks around Walberswick, Lowestoft and Southwold - managed to see an evening of projections at Snape Maltings, animating the buildings.  onto films - The threatening humour of The Green Butcher's https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0342492/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0 The glorious and thoughtful Beyond the Visible – Hilma af Klint https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9760516/ Love and monsters - effectively the odyssey with giant CGI insects men and chicken - twisted darkness that will make you feel a little tainted https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3877674/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0 Adams apples - is a dark dark dark experience of what holds us together when what holds us together is taken away https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0418455/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0 Another Round - a twisted tale of lost men trying to find themselves in a dystrophic whirlwind of madness https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10288566/ Spree - new ways of presenting new ways of being https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11394332/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0