tablesandvinyl

The table displays for synthetic anatomy at Kings were amazing – some fantastically imaginative contexts created for the 3D prints. A great haul in the Salvation Army shop over lunch. Onto screens – Poor Things – an excellent remake of the Pinocchio tale almost take for take.

8setsinaneditionof6

Just added new work to my website – information about the 3D printing I’ve been involved in – looking good. The prizes for synthetic anatomy are ready – some 3D printed pieces for individuals who contributed to the classroom discussions making the sessions work for everyone. There are 8 sets of prints each in an edition of 6 for teams who have attained impressive examples in a range of categories.   

itsallgogogo

A morning of Pecha Kucha’s at Kings on the synthetic anatomy course. There were some excellent presentations covering a huge range of topics underpinned by specific anatomy and biology in plants, animals and humans. The projects are going to be most excellent. Listening to Nile Rodgers speaking with Louis Theroux on his podcast - loved the idea that the concept behind Chic that it was thought of by themselves as a support band for a hugely famous band. This meant that they had to come out and be full on. Most excellent. Went to Unravel: The Power and Politics of Textiles in Art at the Barbican. A good show with some excellent examples displayed in an interesting space. Most of who you would expect are all there with some interesting work from other parts of the world. Onto screens – One Day – how can you not get emotional at all that loss? F1 - how can you not get emotional at all that excess?

translationasawayofbeing

A full day at Kings - What is gained through the process of translation? An initial idea, manifest in words focused into an equation and then made 3D in response. Following the process led to fantastical outcomes. I'm so excited to see how the projects develop and what the students eventually end up with. The afternoon was all about death and bodies - more drawing in the dissecting room. Being in the presence of so much emptiness is so odd yet strangely I seem drawn to the room and its otherness. The stacks of body parts can be disconcerting but when one part is laid out on the metal table, I feel able to focus my looking, making initial tentative marks, wanting to do 'right' in some way. Seager gallery https://www.seagergallery.com/matchmaking  has a great show of work that brings together 8 artists making work about video games, investigating the architecture of game spaces. It’s part of an ongoing series, the first of 4 shows. Onto screens - Upgraded – the usual strangers meeting on a plane etc Anyone but you – the usual strangers meet in a café etc – just finished Mr and Mrs Smith – what an ending!

homagetodonald

Another great day with synthetic anatomy at Kings - this week was all about recognizing and harnessing graphic communication tools - how do we communicate without words? In 11/2 hours we went from literally nothing to full table displays of environments containing characters with extensive narratives via genetics, translation and family trees. Glorious. Part of the workshop was to pay homage to a work by Donald Rodney - the film is one outcome. Popped into the curve gallery Barbican to revisit Julianknxx exhibition - choras in memory of flight. It is very moving, especially the first film, the character seemingly taken over, their body convulsing. Onto screens - I rewatched Ad Astra - so moving - the attempt at connecting with a father over a huge distance only to let it all go left me a little bereft. Zone of Interest - I was so worn by it - the endless everyday banality of living next to a concentration camp! And the sound track which feels like both background and a leading character - truly disturbing. American Fiction – a slow dark uncomfortable burn, glorious.

indialoguewithourbrains

Quite possibly the best team building exercise ever - a great day at Kings running a workshop on the synthetic anatomy module. Working through Edward de Bono’s 6 thinking hats we set the task of devising an equation for a successful experiment there was many revelatory moments and simultaneously it enabled the groups to bond, each member sharing their skills and identifying their strengths. I think all courses with or without collaboration could use this idea. After lunch it was off to 3 hours of tattooing - l'm a little sore - the feet were particularly painful but it all looks amazing and as well as placement, where it explores the mechanics of the body the new work has an interesting dialogue with the existing marks - another beautiful job by @jims_skins There is a nice show @outpost.gallery in Norwich - they do a great job of supporting young practice with a scheme that gives access to free studio space. Liked the work of @alysfineart - lots of possibility in the pieces. Onto screens - Anatomy of a Fall – mesmerizing truths laid out to seduce your prejudice. The Boys in the Boat – initially unsure if this wasn’t a ‘Hallmark’ film – mawkish soundtrack. Next Goal Wins – I wanted it to be funnier. Started True Detective – 2 episodes in and I’m hooked.

breathingoutandinandout

The 1-minute films are slowly getting edited. Meanwhile - working at Kings - Synthetic Anatomy Day 1 - I think there is some interesting research to be undertaken about iteration around teaching. I think this year’s 1st day was possibility one of our best - clarity of intention was key, we are getting very good at working with students to develop learning criteria. The session was excellent, building a shared understand whilst simultaneously surprising ourselves. There were some interesting conversations which I brought back into my world, both as anecdotes and also into my own practice as a maker. I particularly liked the idea of the wildcard criteria that could be a driver of one’s own iterative process. Interested that what we value is what we decide to measure or is it what we measure is what we decide to value. I loved the idea of a 'good version' of a 'bad' bridge being 'better' than a 'bad version' of a 'good bridge' and the structures themselves were fascinating – on the way home I continued to read 12 bytes - Jeanette Winterson. It's a collection of thoughts whose focus is ai - it was fascinating finding out the way quantum computers (the next generation) work - that quantum bits exist in many places but when observed (measured) they take on a defined form and can be observed only in one! Unsure how that relates but in some way it seems relevant to the conversations that came out of the crits. Onto Screens - The Painter – just...odd. Role Play – I think we’ve been here before.

displayassessmentandcrit

A wonderful culmination of this year’s iteration of synthetic anatomy at Kings. The interdisciplinary module is such a fantastic experience for both the students and staff. The display, assessment and crit make for a full-on day. Working with Richard, Leigh, Kawal, @celiapym and the rest of the team is such a pleasure. The conversations are rich in starting points and fuel thoughts for weeks after.