http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 rolling my dung, in four acts Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:12:32 +0100 a-n rss generator a-n The Artists Information Company and contributors edit@a-n.co.uk technical@a-n.co.uk http://sites.a-n.co.uk/img/logo.gif http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 Well, after a long and painful session of hours spent procrastinating, hours spent worrying that any application I will be able to do in such a short time, just won't be enough.. well I finally finished my application for Art Sway, and I don't think it will be enough, but it is a way to introduce myself. One has to start somewhere. So here is my first prod at Art Sway, New Forest bound.. Just wait and see... another 12 months or 18 and I will be an irresistible morsel that will make all their mouths water with delighted anticipation...(Of course it could also just be that I am slightly delirious from having written through the night and probably should stop right now and make use of that I am awake so early, a rare occurrence, not through laziness mind you, quite the opposite, late night catching of the Muse... you must know that the Muse is most easily caught in the small hours of the night, then there are negotiations to hold before she will submit her charms and leave us with some inspiration. She is getting moody these days, perhaps the long working hours no longer suit her.) ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 rolling my dung... Perhaps an unusual title but...The dungbeetle collects  dung to live of, to place its offspring in. It may be correct to say that I art is my dung. I am not literally planning to place infants into art works, that would be a bit over the top, but some of my projects feel like births of sorts, the 'maturing time' like some sort of incubation period.. And not only do I enjoy rolling it (dung/art) around the place, but it is very helpful and social of me when I burry it around the field... Fertile and nourishing stuff. Perhaps this is the point at which you should 'Wikipedia': dungbeetles and I should quit being cryptic. ------------------------------------------ This week will see me back in London, an interview at Goldsmiths at which I hope to not make such a fool of myself as I sometimes do..  And then finally a wholehearted gallery expedition. Of course the Tate, I have to go to the Tate. But then it's time to uncover the more hidden gems of London art. Which brings me to a question that is niggling me: I think the massive art institutions are of course great in that they make art visible to the uninitiated, but they also distort what art is, it's function, it's soul especially. I think so. The presence of these institutes of prestige have my mind and heart in a muddle over what kind of artist I am and want to be. I have to actively question myself: is my aim the Tate Gallery floor, the Serpentine, Hayward and Baltic or is my aim to be free in my practice and  find it's meaning? I am torn between the glitz and the core and I know the glitz and core can be present in one place but often they are not. I can't aim for the glitz if I am seeking the core.. can I?  don't forget:www.myspace.com/birgitdeubnerwww.axisweb.org/artist/birgitdeubner ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 ...interlocutor is such a hard word to let roll off one's tongue...This evening I saw a wonderfully inspiring Butoh (japanese dance) performance, at the Unity Theatre in Liverpool and  remembered past lessons learnt.. forgotten and re-learnt: It is better to leave in silence than to ask questions that I don't require an answer for.. And while I am on the subject of silence: I had almost forgotten how important silence is to my work. I had started to construct busy patterns, when it is the silence that gives the sound it's worth... London tomorrow. ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067  I finally saw Doris Salcedo's ripp in the tissues of the Art Megamarket. Not to criticize the institution, I love it. Nevertheless this massive structure is a convenient one-stop shop for all who seek 'cultural virtue' as an addition to their curriculum vita of city-visit activities... Of course it is a fantastic reference point.Maybe it's time that I get back to reporting about my work not just my late night musings. Wdnesday morning I will meet with my vocalist conspirator to continue work on sound for 'Khoreia'.I also should fast get over my inhibitions when it comes to giving my works titles. (I have actually started to collect titles whenever one comes my way, to be better prepared.. It is a strange way to go about it, and unexpectedly it also started giving me ideas for projects, as well as help to solve my 'title blanks'...)  ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 Important reminder to self:must remember that important art meetings start at 5.30pm even if that is a rather impossible time for anyone to attend who works until exactly 5.30pm... I was too sure that just nobody would schedule a meeting until the standard starting time of 6.30pm that none of my memory cells remembered 5.30 and I arrived an hour too late and outright missed it....   Write it down on the back of the hand next time! ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 It's been a dung-beetle type of day... I spare you the details; tomorrow I am with Mersey Film and Video figuring out Dvd Studio Pro to re-emerge the most knowledgeable Jack-Of-All-Trades around.This evening I saw Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company, skilled, but why do I feel that I have a but to utter... They didn't capture me fully, something wasn't there. Ideas are breeding, I feel like an oversized petri dish... It's brimming in here, just add some more sugar solution and it will just burst the lid right off, off this culture breeding machine that I am...... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 Now this was a roller coaster of a fortnight!  Interviews for postgraduate programs at both the Royal College and at Goldsmiths, art worries, stage fright in relation to  the invitation to make work for St. Luke's / Bombed out church in Liverpool.Thinking, thinking, and rethinking, finally being met with an epiphany whilst in the bath last night. "If the mountain isn't coming to me then I will just go to the mountain" Or something like that...So I shall let you in, into my cryptic thinking in the next days. In the meantime I will try and formulate it all and edit it into a manageable size. Enjoy your Easter Holidays, with or without beautifully hand colored eggs. Unfortunately boiled eggs make me nauseous.. What a shame. The bad news: the RCA sent me a rejection letter on deceptively hight quality stationery.The enormous, massive relief: Golsmiths invited me unconditionally to come and study on their Masters Program from this autumn. Unconditionally has to be my favorite word, if I would be offered same terms in romance then life would be complete. Unconditionally is just such a character and life affirming attitude. And most gratefully received. Good Day and Good Easter. Aim high...(Perhaps I need to curtail my life-coaching advices.. Before I turn into Eckhart Toll, or some other such similar lifestyle Guru. But I can't help myself: Don't be lazy!)    ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 Easter My most immediate creative output today will be the baking of bread (sweet white yeast bread)  in the shape of Easter Rabbits...I have just received an invitation to take myself and my art to Cologne and perform in May. Perform... Well when I described myself as artist who works with performance I hadn't really imagined someone would ask me to come and perform in a gallery.  ... me on stage being an artist... I hadn't really thought about it very much... The sensation is equal to the one the rabbit experiences when it sees the car .... That was my first response.Here is the second response:Great opportunity !!! I am looking forward to coming up with a plan.For now I am going back to baking Easter Rabbits; and meeting Tomas Harold, the 'Up and Coming Curator', in a couple of hours..    ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 ..life's sections..... yesterday I read a photographer's interview in which he pointed out that only 20% of his time is spent taking photographs, the rest on administration and research... Well. it is much the same with making art work. At the moment I am in one of those uncomfortable transition periods where projects are coming along, but where there is no sign of their realization yet. So at the moment satisfaction levels are very low, but inspiration is beginning to ferment, a little more sugar and ideas should rise ready to become solid and tangible..One problem is that I have produced so little in the past 6 months that now the internal need to leap and explode into action has grown disproportionate to time, finances and energy available.I will make one more list and throw the coals into the fires and get some of these projects going. The urgency is only increasing daily.The hunger for making art.Relationships should nourish one's energy resources not deplete them, should they not? Well, I am in the final throes of making my way back up from the depths of life's muddles, this week sees 2 more deadlines for projects that I really want to be involved in and then I can begin to make direct plans for "A Dungbeetle and Sisyphus". And get my camera out for "Idioms" and advertise for Artist Assistants for May's preparations for my St Luke's project, and plan my performance for Cologne.... In the meantime I recommend that you take a look at: http://cressidakocienski.blogspot.com/'That will give you inspiration and things to think about. (for some reason there is a tiny problem: you need to manually delete this '  yes that little thing '  this one' ' ' '  at the end of the blog address, the same goes for my personal blog address with blogspot, too. For some reason a tiny:  '    adds itself to the link and become indelible for me. So.. delete the ' at the end... Then the links will work flawlessly.)... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 It has been quite a week of sitting bowed over applications. I do wonder why the anticipation of forms is always so completely different to the actual experience of them.I tend to quite enjoy myself once I get going. Opportunities to define my practice, my ideas, opportunities to refine ideas, catalysts for coming up with ideas. And I always end up finding myself stuck somewhere deep between internet pages describing the geological, social, historical facts and fictions of the various places to which I enter applications for projects, exhibitions, residencies..So my application last year to Art Gene may not have been successful, but  now I know that it's town hall stand's on the site of a former clay pit.I find out about the Kendall - Lancaster canal, about the only active pottery in Cumbria, about Cumbria's pottery history, the move from bread kneading bowls andbutter churning dishes to plant pots.. Rivetting it may not be for everyone, but you know what it is like, suddenly something catches your eye and your inspiration comes on in leaps and bounds and behaves like yeast and warm water with sugar... expansive..I tell you what made me see so many clay related  topics: I am interested in Sisyphus, and in dungbeetles. they both roll large boulders, one of clay and one of rock. One's act is eternally fuile and devoid of hope and resolution the other's action fertilizes every field on the planet and bourishes his off-spring and also makes his wife happy. (That is if beetles have wifes, maybe they just co-habit without vows.. not that it really matters...)One story goes: that the dungbeetle was asked by god to roll enough dung and make a man out of it..  Some people feel that their life-s actions are an endless droning, futile drum. That their labour is sisyphean.(on this note: I discovered the existence of a fish called: drum-fish...)Other people are more optimistic, more like the dungbeetle... Eloquence fails me. I will return once I had coffee. ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 Project:Drawing room intervention with Rick Creed at the Tate Liverpool next week. 9.30am-12 and 1pm-4.30 come along...contrast between life model, long poses and the resulting marks with short, sometimes flowing movement between postures you (VERY) rarely get a chance to draw.Contrast the mark-making between  the static model and intervening artist who offers reversed/contracted/acrobatic body shapes that can at times lead to an abstract, at times be in fluid dialogue with the model.Come, explore, come, think about your approach to drawing. A fresh lively class, with Rick Creed one of the most inspiring and positive teachers I have met, and with myself offering headstands, splits and unusual backbends, twists and more...    ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 Finally here is a partial project description, it is for FRED the exhibition in Cumbria to which I am sending a proposal tomorrow.: “The Dungbeetle and Sisyphus” A narrative, humorous and maybe semi-tragic tale and live art performance piece that resonates with some poetry and Cumbria’s faded clay industry.   The project takes a sincere/humorous look at the life of a dungbeetle and the mythological, eternally punishing, futile and hopeless fate of Sisyphus.    (Sisyphus : punished in Hades for his misdeeds in life by being condemned to the eternal, futile, hopeless task of rolling a large stone to the top of a hill, from which it always rolled down again.)                                                                                      Live Art / sculpture: The artist will be the dungbeetle and Sisyphus and roll a giant-human-sized ball of clay around sites in Cumbria and conduct interviews with passer-byes.   Films : Performance: (live art, as described) Interviews : involving local chance street passer-byes & recruits, telling their versions of Sisyphus, mythologically correct and flawed, volunteers will be encouraged to elaborate… (...people are surprisingly easily engaged in telling tales and reminiscing on further interpretations.)     Motivations other than existing interests: Lost industry- changing industry / lost identity-changing identity. The lost and changed clay industry of Cumbria.   ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 I posted my proposal to 'Fred' in Cumbria and am quite pleased with myself...A light anticlimax took grip of me around 4pm but I beat it down with a swift panini followed by New York cheesecake..  Tonight I will sleep and know that it is well earned and tomorrow I am sure is another arm-long list of things to do and follow up.More inspirational stuff when I rise from, what I predict will be a 14 hour long, sleep... ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 I am inching my way closer to a clear view..This weekend I attended Markus Sokoup's Binary Jam at the Static Gallery, which I arrived at really quite late, but still I think I deserve points for crawling out of the comforts of my warm home. It was good to see some locals (Sam from the View Two Gallery, Virgil Shakira who has made much experimental/abstract soundworks although he may hit me for probably mis-describing what exactly he does... Jay Yung who just closed her Paradise Stories at Riba, and a few others... Good to see them.I went to hear Steve Boyland and Magie Nichols perform their improvised voice work at the Bluecoat on sunday. It was inspirational to see them work and encouraging to see such a strong audience. As about my own progress: I have had a meeting with a friend who is practical and we worked out how I will construct my '7 Giants' in time for the exhibition in St.Luke's in Liverpool. I am looking forward to it now and am actually just about to to and get a few of the necessary materials and some advice from the DIY centre. (I am constructing all 7 "giants" out of corrugated cardboard, which I will laminate until I can make 2inch batons out of it for the legs of the giants and 1inch or so sheets for the sides... I promise a drawing soon to clear any confusion I am causing you...)Hopefully tomorrow I will have a meeting with Ambrose from Urban Strawberry Lunch about dates and then the show will finally be 'in the bag'..  Which leads straight to the project that I propose for Cologne: I have been invited to do a performance and I am planning a project on idioms and how people say what they don't mean in order to say what they do mean and how this can be confusing at the best of times but how it becomes potentially humorously confusing and tangled up when I bring other country's idioms into the mix...How exactly this will become a performance I can't tell you, I am having a little stage fright when I think about it. The original concept was for a photography and film piece, not a performance. But I spoke to Steve Boyland about it today and we are considering to work on this project in collaboration. With his voice work potentially being the exact perfect link to tie together my ideas for the project.Now I need to appease the man who invited me by sending him a better project description, he is cross with me for having responded with such delay..Rightly so. I deserve a slap and half an hour in the corner for that.I will go now and clean my toilet while I repent. ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 Listening to the theme tune of my teenage years: Tom Petty's "Learning to Fly".. The progress today: I have been to several DIY shops, sellers of technological gadgetry and a bed-supplier. And all are enthusiastically promising to save all their corrugated cardboard for me to collect weekly until I have enough to build all 7 large forester's houses on stilts.. I struggle to explain them in English.You will see soon..The exhibition for St Luke's has now been confirmed for the 30th of May, I am trying to negotiate a starting date of 3-4 days earlier than that. But there is some time yet. But for now the dates will be 30th of May to 13th of June. Just 2 weeks, not 3 as I originally hoped. So much work and then just 2 weeks.. In future I will have to make sure to negotiate a certain effort to exhibition period ratio!!! But this is good. A solo show in the centre of Liverpool in a venue that is busy and accessible to all types and shapes and sizes of people.Bingo! ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 Now I have 7 huge stores collecting their cardboard for me.. It occurs to me that I could easily accumulate enough to build a warm shelter in which I could live when I move to London.Tomorrow is a big cardboard collection day. I decided to collect a bulk load before starting the constructions.So this thursday I will go down to London and spend a few days between galleries and friends. I have been barred from my usual habitat down there which makes the prospect of living in cardboard dwellings all the more tempting..I am looking for an assistant to work with me from next week. On 4 long afternoons a week. (5-6 hour sessions) It would be acrazy amount of work to try and construct all of my cardboard hides/watchtowers on my own.  ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 taking stock in case I am confusing everyone: I am working on: 'Dungbeetle and Sisyphus'    'Giants' for St Luke's, Liverpool'Devotional Choreography' for Bridewell Gallery, Liverpool and am working with Steve Boyland on a variation of Devotional Choreography "Khoreia".And I am devising a new project based on Idioms. Yes, it's a lot to co-ordinate and sometimes I feel fuzzy. ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 I am still busy collecting cardboard. Like a womble...Tonight I sat here looking through old images that I took to draw from and I got carried away altering them, getting ideas from them. I sometimes feel like an ideas-factory. Let's just hope it's a good, stylish, chic, italian one, not a cheap chinese one with slave laborers..I found out about a great website. I think this is where I clearly have a few adulterated genes in me... I started getting very excited when I heard about this site... A website selling hardware like nuts and bolts. Cheaper than those dreadful chain DIY stores.. Oh, I shouldn't be mean, one of those is currently my life-saver.. Oh dear..So re-phrasing : I very much love the chain-DIY store, it is my life-saver, yet, my wallet loves the online store more.I hope that is suitably diplomatic?If you want the name for the site then please contact me somehow. I can't type it here, because it sounds dreadfully dubious.. (Just apply your imagination as to how dodgy a site for nuts and bolts could accidentally have been named...So as I would prefer not to end up in someone's bad books for advertising a site that sounds like it contains nudity... but doesn't.. well, you get the picture. Contact me and I will give you the online-diy-store details).So here in this post is a photo I took of myself for my drawing practice. The image has nothing to do with my current main project, but could easily evolve into one of my next 'sideline-projects'.Good night. ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 A sisyphean day of 30s... having freelance work at the FACT centre to earn £30 only to find a parking ticket to pay £30..  ... now that was today. What do I gain from the experience? A pat on the shoulder for having tried my best. That doesn't quite seem satisfying.  A brief meeting with film-maker gained me a confirmation that he is up for filming for nothing much more than the covering of the actual expenses of doing so. Oh thank all heavens for that. Now I am short of one assistant and then the camera can roll... I think we will schedule the weekend for mid-late May or mid-June, alternatively.  All my applications came back rejected. I am an artistic reject. Let's see if I can't turn that round by 180 degrees in the next 12 months. Can I become the equivalent of hot-cake instead? My other collaborator said this: Turn towards the light... And so I shall. As spiritual as that sounds. But what is wrong with spirit? Now I have 30 days to make the structures for exhibition in St Luke's and perhaps I can find a follow on exhibition for them, too.  The 7 Giants will stand tall and proud, strong a watchful in the ruin of St Lukes which was severely damaged in WW2. The church remains a memorial to lives lost, fates suffered. Not that its presence often stops anybody in their tracks anymore to contemplate the past and it's lingering echos into this presence.. But there it stands nevertheless, a memorial. In it I will place 7 bird hides / forester's hides, standing tall on elongated legs. watchful. Whether they are friend or foe remains open. 7 giants on tall legs viewing over the space. 7 because that is the great number of fables, tales and belief.7 to indicate the quality of my thoughts and search for expression.  My project is not a statement, not a conclusion or answer but a search for truth, abstract notions of truth of who we are, us, these humans. My art work really is better described as a journey not a conclusion. To ask what my work is about is to ask "What has moved you in the past year, 10 years or in fact since you became aware of anything moving you at all." And just how does one give an answer, a concrete solid answer with brevity..? It's "always" that is in the art work, it's not the isolated moment that is in it. A life philosophy becoming visual, tangible, solid. A sharing of intimate concerns and searches, that is what the art is. Of course I have no expectation that it is that to you, to the audience. But I hope it shows. A section of the inside of my thoughts, on exhibition in St Luke's. From the 30th of May for 2 weeks only..   My spelling makes me laugh: a wether is a castrated ram... (wether = ram; whether ..) ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 After attending a talk by Hew Locke about his work, at the Liverpool Bluecoat Gallery this evening I feel reinvigorated and re-confirmed in my plans for the "7 Giants" exhibition that I am building to show at St Luke's. I was beginning to think that perhaps I am crazy to plan to build a whole installation, of really quite large dimensions, out of cardboard...  But now that I have seen some of Hew's work, which he made in the 90's  I am positively vibrant with excitement to continue on my mad quixotic venture..So "7 Giants" there will be.. My god, I do have to say I love Hew Locke.  He was a bit on the guarded side, but if he is that inspiring on a day that appears to me not to be his best then I can only say" WOW.  Can someone please make sure he gets all necessary funding, so that I can follow his progress... And give him enough money to allow him to fully spread his wings. There is life in the artist and in his work.!Am feeling very happy to have had an opportunity to hear him and shake hands, too.(A handshake is an important barometer for all kinds of personality conclusions.. and Hew has a handshake that I sincerely approve of.) Bravo to the Bluecoat for commissioning such an exciting artist. Speaking to Brian Biggs I also hear that Alec Finlay may be back for a reading this summer. Oh, yes, please...  But back to me, me , me.. The life of the artist has gone mad in every possible way but I am pleased to report that somehow I seem to have become weather and life-hurricane resistant and am holding up quite well. And am still simmering the ideas and project development pool. A particularly strategic friend of mine today did a grants search on my behalf and found a few leads that may promise some future. I love practical friends. I love some others, too. But practical ones are extra special at a time when life is throwing bad weather at me. So if the rain could please stop (in both the literal and metaphorical sense) then I can start building my Giants. I have to say I am very genuinely impressed with the performance of the Bluecoat today. They did so well and I left as one should always leave a gallery/ arts centre: brimming with inspiration, drive and gusto.  ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 Well I feel very supported.. Several large stores have taken to folding their cardboard very neatly as opposed to lovelessly throwing it into their respective skips.. Good people helping me get the maximum amount of womble-activity accomplished..       don't forget I am also found in these places.. :www.myspace.com/birgitdeubner www.axisweb.org/artist/birgitdeubner (there will be one of these:  '     that you have to delete from the end of the address bar.. I don't know why it keeps appearing.)... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 Currently the brainwaves are a little blocked due to unforseeable circumstances. But here is a basic drawing of the "Giants". ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 Today was quixotic. My hands feel like I think they might daily once I reach my 7th decade in life. A lot of cutting, sawing, pulling, pushing, drilling and so on... And in the end:  well let me put it this way: What on earth was I thinking using cardboard to attempt and build 3.5 meter high structures..?Now a miracle please... because the show opens in 23 days! (The super thick board that I made out of layers of corrugated cardboard is nowhere near stable enough to ever hold a vertical position. Now I have a serious problem.)(or do I?)Hmmmm.... Problems also give more ideas. But it feels frightfully late to start on new solutions. Another serious issue is the weakness of my hands. I can not imagine them being of any use past just one more intensive day like today. Oh I am not a builder after all. But seriously: I am too weak, not whimpish, to do all this work on my own. And I have no assistant as yet, and the prognosis is that I will continue to put it all together in  singular line-up.  I wonder, how long does it take to train up toes and feet to nimbly do hand's jobs?  ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 SOS to Liverpool Readers: ARTISTS urgently needs an assistant / VOLUNTEER!!!& ARTISTS urgently needs an assistant / VOLUNTEER!!! please catch me on myspace.com/birgitdeubneror on artreviewor tap me on the shoulder if you know me.SOS..   ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 Yesterday was spent travelling to Leeds to get some work done at the 'Film Lab North'. I can only recommend them highly. They are also £75 an hour cheaper than the equivalent lab in Soho. (Which is only useful for you to know if you live in equal proximity to both.) I have had my cine film digitized  using a machine that costs 1 million pounds. Now THAT is madness. But if you had seen it you would bellieve it. A massive, really absolutely massive piece of equipment. So here goes thanks to Mark and Glenn from the Film Lab North who charged me for an hour, even so I was actually there for 2! And like as if that wasn't already enough they lent me their hard-drive to take the digitized work home with me (there had been a glitch and I hadn't been told to bring mine, which nearly cost me the remainder of my already dwindling bundle of nerves..). I am flattered to be so trusted. I saw the Quay Brothers's Euridice in the Leeds ARt Gallery. In one word: Inspiring.I got ideas for another project, a poetic quiet, beautiful project. So there is my work planned until pretty much mid autumn.. This morning I met with carpenters to discuss my quixotic race against time to pull the 7 Giants back out of the abyss they fell into last week. We will start building this afternoon. Thank heavens for lucky connections. So I had to compromise: we will make a skeletal framework out of timber  and I will clad the hut part of it in cardboard.I looks like I will be able to get help to make 3 Giants and then will have to get on with it alone after that. Oh but what a help.Another urgent job for this week will be to source reclaimed timber, I would like the Giants to have patina, but with the increasing time limitations I may have to compromise yet again. Unless I can patina them myself in one way or another.. Some wood stain?Will think this one out in the following days. SO now I best get on with one of many of the jobs for the other two exhibitions, while I wait for the carpenters to re-appear.   Progress: shaky but improving. ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 Exhibition preparations for St.Luke's = on target Exhibition preparations for the Bridewell Gallery = on target Exhibition preparations for "Big Hope" = on target All is 100% on target. impressive (there is still plenty of work to do, but for now I am 100% on target. I say it one more time because it is so rare one gets a chance: 100% On Target!)  ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 favorite artists..it may not seem so revelationary to you, but it just put a smile on my face when I noticed that most of my favorite contemporary artists are female!I am pleased because I had for a long time believed myself to be a misogynist in gender confusion..Tamy Ben-Tor, Mika Rottenberg, Pipilotti Rist, Lisa Abduland also Shirin Neshat and Tacita Dean.(And there are still some men in my list, but I'll add them later) Oh what a relief..It's been a long time of being so focused on the male of the world..THis is good news.the artists is falling into balance...... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 progress is on target Now I am seeking another Artists Assistant (a volunteer). If anyone would  like to get involved then please contact me through my myspace or call me on 07761139340. All coffees will be on me and if it will be useful for you then I will write you a reference, too.x ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 Today we finally finalized the last details regarding the exhibition at St Lukes Church in Liverpool.We will put up the show on the 28th and it will open on the 30th of May until the 13th of June..  Yesterday I met with Vanessa Bartlett, the curator of "The Liar, the Witch and the Wardrobe", the group exhibition at the Bridewell Gallery, Liverpool. I now have a big handfull of fliers for that. I like being in print. The private view for this show is on the 6th of June, opening to the general public on the 7th.. And this morning I found out that I am getting a fee for the exhibition at Hope University which will run for the duration of "Big Hope" the international conference. We also agreed on getting some material printed to accompany the exhibition (4 page A3 newspaper style, including 6 projects, 1 poster and general information on me).That show will start from the 30th of May as well. . I am happy with the progress considering that the year started off to a tough start. Now the progress curve just needs to pick up sharp, verticalascent  preferred. ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067   About "Devotional Choreography" written when I first started on this thread of work..(written by Tomas Harold / curator) The origin’s of Birgit Deubner’s art may be traced back to childhood, when folklore, ancient mythology and imaginary activity took hold of her life. In adulthoos, these preoccupations have developed into an interest in the roots of religious and secular belief. Her experience of life is richly steeped in symbolism and abstract narrative, and her work is part of an on-going journey towards a personal philosophy. Working across mediums, and incorporating forms as diverse as photography, cine film, sculpture, performance, installation, smoke, ice and wax, Birgit produces requiems of sorts – ephemeral and shadowy attempts at capturing states of impermanence.   “Devotional Choreography” is a study of rehearsed movements. Following meetings with religious leaders in Liverpool, Birgit gained access to their communities and their public and private religious ceremonies. From footage of the physical rituals that are performed during these practices, she has produced a multi-channel video & film display that concentrates on the visual poetry of movement and gesture – developed over centuries to express faith.   By following these movements and focusing on chosen movements, postures and gestures, Birgit highlights the endlessly repeated choreography that accompanies every religion, and forms such a fundamental part of devotional practice. Instead of examining the philosophy and teaching for their shared commonalities, her approach is focused on intuitive, disinterested perception. Hers is a study of those humble movements that have gained meaning through their association and application in faith.   Birgit has no desire to offer a judgmental or confrontational treatment. She follows a visual path to reveal similarities in form between these different expressions. In certain fundamental ways, this provides an opportunity to explore what is shared between faiths.   The visual choreography can be seen to stand at a distance from its religious roots, asking quietly: what gives these gestures their power and meaning? A movement, as part of a devotional practice translates differently to one separated from that root. So, can a physical ritual, based in devotional practice, transgress its heritage? What does a movement contain without this religious framework? It is impossible not to draw association with faith when we see hands in prayer, but isn’t this particular connection dependent on a western upbringing?written about my work by Tomas Harold (curator)  ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 So far the day has been a bit of a non-starter. But I am finally at the desk ready to write the website information for "Devotional choreography" at "Big Hope", and for the installation of  "The Watchers/7 Giants" at St. Luke's Church. I have been down to Streets Ahead in the city centre today, it's been a while since I last ran into so many old friends and faces from the past decade in Liverpool.Justin Virdi was in town, Virgil Shakira, Amina, Liz from Juno and several more who I had to sneak away from because I really should have been at my desk working, not mingling frivolously..Virgil nailed my project concerns on the head. He is correct: it's a demo. the exhibition at St Luke's is now officially 'a demo'. How else can one figure out how 7 3.5meter high structures will look, when one just hasn't got the space and transport solutions to ever see the work in one space pre-installation date. I am concerned because the space in St Luke's is a bit rough and ready, and I am not sure I will be able to level the grounds in the way I had hoped to.I may have to accept the space with it's flaws and place my 'demo' in it and see what happens. I am supremely nervous. If it was up to me then I would get a truck load of wood-chip or shredded cardboard and cover the ground in it at least 5 cm deep.  I originally thought that I would have a lot of freedom in how I will use the space, but now it looks like the installation will be sharing the space with bits and pieces and building rubble left behind by one section or other of Lliverpool City Council / their contractors.Urban Strawberry Lunch, who have made the space accessible have done a great job. I just wish I had a budget that I could throw at the space in a way that nobody could possibly oppose.I wish I could tidy the grounds into what I had in mind, but it just isn't an option. Perhaps I should be keeping these turmoils to myself. Well, but here they are, publicly aired.In Virgil's words: "It's a demo".Just where, if not in St Luke's, will be the  grand finale? The project would make a good public sculpture.. I think so. But now: to work with me, or there will be nothing at all. ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 I am getting a bit muddled up in the preparations of 3 simultaneous exhibitions.There is the work (well, of course) the writing about the work, the managing of time and energy..I am quite worried about wether I took on too much. But on the up-side: while writing text for entry on the "Big Hope" website, I am re-focusing and tightening my thoughts on "Khoreia" (Devotional Choreography) significantly. Which is of imperative importance as I am about to propose to an interesting exhibition space with this project.Still, this week I am a worried solo artist.But there is no time for dwelling.. There is more text to write and some drawings to make. So that I can finish the material that ought to go into print tomorrow. (yes, my 4 page A3 sized exhibition material..)  ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 This weather is a disaster!  ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 June 9th-12th public viewing of artist's working progress & June 13th-18th installation "The Watchers"/"7 Giants" at St Luke's LiverpoolJune 4th "Khoreia"/ Devotional Choreography during "The Big Hope" International committee meeting at Hope University Park Campus. LiverpoolJune 6th "Devotional Choreography" Bridewell Studios Gallery, LiverpoolJuly -performance- "Dungbeetle and Sisyphus" location TbcAugust - "film" ------------------- After all the madness of what seemed like strategical impossibilities two exhibitions are up and running. In time and in perfect order.Remaining is the massive project at St Luke's, which due to various circumstances had been closed all week. the venue will re-open to the public on monday which will allow the audience to watch work in progress until wednesday by when the installation will finally stand up on it's legs... The delay was somewhat unfortunate, but there was just about nothing that could be done with the building locked. I think in the future I will be more aware that alternative venues can have alternative strategies around opening times.Which means that I will leave some time to allow for adapting. In this case it was reasonably ok, as I have no project that has to follow on to this one immediately. The Dungbeetle and Sisyphus can be postponed by a week or two, that is fine.But now I best get back to the workshop before the day slips by underused. ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 ... tiredness is stopping me from writing anything that you might want to read... I have been cutting cardboard to size all day for the Watchers who are taking a phenomenal effort to make. But it will be pretty exciting to finally see them up and running this week.But this very moment I feel more like a garden womble who has been engaging in madness, not art, all day. The private view at the Bridewell Gallery on friday went exceptionally well. I was pleased, very, very much so. Vanessa Bartlett the curator did a wonderful job in her selection and arrangement of the artists and their works. The artists are without exception exceptional and I am all over content.Now that is not something I say very often.So a round of bravo all around.I am almost equally please with my show at "Big Hope" at Hope Park / Hope university for which I will receive a fee and have got 500 publications printed. Great. But I am not sure if I am now going to be giving a talk tomorrow or not. They forgot to tell me. So I am somewhat under-prepared for it, but the on the other hand,  perhaps I am perfectly prepared. I do nothing but think, walk, talk art at the moment. maybe it is not necessary to write a rigid treatment about myself. I think I might just about be able to talk until kicked off the pedestal as it is.And I have a pretty organized laptop. So a selection of images is ready to go right now anyway.Yes, so: actually: I am perfectly prepared. Just I haven't been told when and where...Apparently I  am going to have a 10 minute slot. Exciting!I am not even nervous. Now I say: 'wow' to that. Instead I am rearing at the bit. (rearing? pulling...)... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 continuation ... Now there is my 'problem-child' St Lukes and my "The Watchers / 7 Giants".  I have a  good feeling that this week will finally see a completion and a set of photographs. Wow. Will I be glad when that is done. What a mamooth project. And actually I will just slip straight into "Dungbeetle and Sisyphus". Which is inexplicable really but i just know it will work. (Ask me again when I am sitting in a corner, ashamed and in despair... worried about progress..) Hopefully it will be my Biennial Project. If anyone will figure out that I would be just THE one to pick for a nice large room with a projector in it, a spotlight and a huge lump of clay....yes, that's right! I am waiting, looking and pulling at the bit; for a space in the Biennial. But I am equally happy to just do my own thing this year and bring my clay wherever it suits me.I have art streaming out of every pore tonight. Perhaps it has something to do with the coffee and the chocolate...Or maybe the muse came and gave me a big bite in the rear end... I certainly feel lively. ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://www.hope.ac.uk/thebighope/template.php?page...finally, the website is updated. Unfortunately now the conference has come to an end.. ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 After the mamooth program of the past 6 weeks with the unfortunate cancellation of "The Watchers / 7 Giants" (due to the exhibition space falling into dormancy exactly at the time when we should have opened the show... I learnt big lessons from this: make very concrete arrangements and make them in writing... or lose a lot of time and money...)... well after all that I am something like 98% wiped out and exhausted. However the enforced resting period on my sofa next to the garden window, listening to the birds and reading about the Folkstone Triennial and Tracy Emin's contribution (which I like very much),.. well doing all that resting and strangely static  existing I suddenly have been taken over by a whole avalanche of new ideas.Given just how extremely exhausted I am I can but wonder what makes the Muse deliver more large scale and labour intensive ideas.. One thing is certain: I need a production team. And the other thing that is certain: I can at this stage in my career not afford one.So... But here comes a solution in form of a new project idea that I have just fallen in love with head over heels:hmmmm..actually I may just have to keep you in suspense there. because I am so incredibly happy with this idea that I might have to hide it in a box for a few more days. It's just too good.  You know the feeling... it's kind of the same as everyone's baby is the best baby, everyone's cat the nicest cat.. etc... and so it is with this new project. If I had the energy I would be leaping off the sofa and jump with joy and excitement.. as it is I will immediately drag my tired body to clear the room for my new flatmate, who is due to arrive in 2 weeks time. So that once that job is out of the way I will be able to launch head first into the deep end of my new project.  ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 I would love if anyone could recommend a residency opportunity to me, as I may not be able to work in Liverpool in the next weeks.However: I have had a wonderful response from the other 2 exhibitions and am meeting the Portugese Consulate on monday, to discuss a potential of holding a multimedia exhibition at the Consulate in Manchester.Thanks to the exhibition at Hope University (for which a fee has been agreed) I have attended a dinner with ambassadors who have been in support of the "Big Hope" congress at Hope University. THis congress was an amazingly positive experience. Delegates from all over the world (Tibet included) attended, speakers ranging from the last Prime Minister of India to Stanley Wells the world expert on Shakespeare attended.. the theme: a harmonious global future for all of humanity... Beautiful...  ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067 Living the artist lifestyle... ran out of gas and thus heating and cooking possibilities, about 5 days ago. Sitting in my large (arctic), Victorian mansion, surrounded by paper, bags and array of pencils. The head full of new project strands and projects half started and promised... Seeking funding really is going to be a priority now. No more moves without money and/or other support.I have got a verbal agreement with the Portuguese Consulate for a show there in september. Very nice. And now there is a list as long as my arm of places and people to contact, say thanks to for previous help and attendance and nudge to reply and promise me space, publicity and money.Money.What a dirty word.But how nice to feel it in one's pocket.The artist's car committed suicide yesterday.  How on earth will she now get to Clay Outcrops in Wales; for the project "Dungbeetle and Sisyphus"?I utter an SOS, in the knowledge that I will probably not be called by knights in shining armor with keys to vehicles that I can use.But still here it is, an SOS with emphasis.SOS! ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/415067