TOOLS DOWN- well I just don’t feel myself at the moment so work has ceased, I spend much of my time sleeping. My condition is further agitated by the various political canvassers coming to our door. We have the elections for the Welsh assembly coming soon so all the various parties are making the rounds. This is not a typical response, normally I welcome the various evangelists that seem drift to our door. Be it Jehovah witnesses, Mormons or double glazing sales people, normally I will always give them a ear, but I just can’t hack it at present. To counter this I have placed a poster for each of the candidates in our front window, each political party is represented. Not sure what they make of that but it seems to be keeping them away- job done!
This place has a industrial past. Steel, coal, timber flowed in and out of what was one of the busiest ports in the country. Local people proudly identified themselves as being dockers, steel workers, carpenters and alike, not a namby pamby artist in sight then. This was a badge passed down the generations, families would be referred to by both name and trade, thus the Williams were Dockers. A more certain but immobile world, come your fourteenth birthday you knew you would end up with your old man in the yards. Much of that has gone. I want to understand the dynamics of this, how this industrial machine worked, how it all connected up. I am looking a town map dated 1938. It all starts with the river, two large deep wet docks spur off the river, there are numerous dry docks (for ship maintenance). Quayside Cranes load/unload the boats. Serving each crane is a dedicated rail line, these rail lines radiate out covering the whole of the town. This network is much more extensive than what remains today, most of it has been torn up but the odd rusty section remains as a reminder of that past. Many of the incoming products are being processed locally, the local factories are directly fed by the extended rail system. The rail lines flow directly into the factories themselves. This connectivity and method of distribution is different to the road based one of today. The homes of the workers are local to their place of work, you didn’t have far to travel to get to work then. Looking at this map, I am reminded of muscle, ligature, connective tissue, it has a organic alive look to it. Considering the time of this map (1938) that seems apt, within two years, with the outbreak of war that muscle would flex.
There have been shops in the old commercial quarter of the city since the early part of the 19th century. I guess that over the years, the ownership and nature of the business has changed. The chippy used to be a butchers, but what was it before that? I went to the local reference library and looked at Kelly's directory. Kelly's directory records the details of local commercial premises. They go right back so you can trace the history of a particular shop or group of shops in any area within the UK. Its fascinating stuff, in the early part of the 20th century many of the business seemed to be makers. There were hat makers, basket makers, boot makers, and watchmaker's - evidence of a thriving fairly self-sufficient community. There was a temperance bar on the street. The temperance movement was a reaction to what was then regarded as the evils of alcohol, the temperance movement advocated moderation/ abstinence from drinking alcohol. This movement started in the North of England attracted a huge following and temperance bars sprouted up all around the country. Here you could sample many non-alcoholic delights such as Dandelion and Burdock, Sarsaparilla, Ginger beer, Cream soda, Vimto, Black Beer & Raisin. Of their time they seem to have more or less disappeared, I understand there may be one remaining in Lancashire. .
"Temperance" such a quaint sounding word, indicative of another time and way of thinking. I don't think now, we would see any virtue in the concept of "temperance". Moving along in time(1942) to the local funeral parlour sandwiched between the newsagent and the tobacconist advertised, "All social classes catered for". Divided even in death it would seem.
I been keeping regular contact with the gallery where my exhibition will be shown. Discussing the project and exchanging ideas. It's a useful exercise and gives me a bit of feedback and some constructive criticism. However from this exchange a slight difference of opinion has arisen. In combination with my drawn maps, I'm producing a series of sculptures. These sculptures represent certain details from each of the maps. The idea is that the viewer would seek out the sculptures within the maps. I thought it would be a good way of getting people to look at the detailing of the maps. My park map contains a dog fouling sign, just as you would see in any park. Apart from representing it within the map I also want to have it made up as an actual sign. Here lies the problem, an actual sign with the title of "don't give a shit". The gallery has no problem with it being an untitled detail within the map, but having it as a separate sign with that title is causing some problems. Contrary to what it shows it's not just about a dog taking a crap. Part of this map thing is about social change, previous generations willingy followed the rules and conventions of their day, by contrast we tend not to attach as much importance to them, perhaps that may sometimes border on being antisocial, that's the direction. Anyway I'll tone it down, will be disappointed if I have to bin it, took me ages to get that dog's arse right.
I started mapping the local park called "Belle Vue". This is a Victorian park, a little faded but still beautiful, it was created by the famous victorian park designer Thomas Mawson. It's our local park, my mother played here as a little girl and its where my kids play now. This place can seem no more than a pastel dream and on this stage many bitter sweet minor dramas are played out. There are many characters -‘Parky' is the park warden. To kids of a previous age they were a force to be reckoned with. Parky now works part time, co-aided by CCTV cameras. The present incumbent, told me he has to tread a wary path with both kids and adults, who can blame him, he values his personal safety. Times change we change. This map will be a intersection of all that, a crossing of events past and present, some personal others observed or historical. I like having a chat to some of the older park user's, they may have been coming to the park for many years and notice change. They tut this and that and hark back to a time when the bylaws of the park were adhered to. Then, there was no vandalism or rubbish and dogs were kept on a lead and people it seemed were nicer to each other. I don't know how true all that is, but it interests me and I want to draw that out ideas of social change played out against the backdrop of the park.
Have completed my first map! It shows the whole city of Newport. When printed it will be large, over a meter square. The River Usk bisects the town and enters the Bristol channel. On the west bank of the River is the district of Pill and this has special significance for me. Pill is the docks area of the city. Over the years many immigrants have found a home here - my grandfather was one. In this one small district there are in excess of thirty languages spoken. Some of there communities are very old, there has been a Somali community here for over a hundred years. More recently there have been arrivals from Eastern Europe. So in a sense this map charts changes in those who have come to live here. The map is unlabeled, reduced to a series of unmarked flowing lines, I have tried to give a pattern like quality to the map. I imagined the mystery and draw of the land, this sense of coming to a new place seeing it for the first time, something quite different to that you know. Full of unknown symbols. The natural shape of the river/land seems to communicate this, the course of the river is sinuous and opens funnel like to the Bristol channel, the river seems to draw you in towards the land, it seems to suggest a new life to come. I can only imagine it must be the strongest of motivations that brings a person here to start a new life. I see this map as a type of landscape revealing the form of the land and water. The course the river takes is very attractive, which is ironic in a way, when viewed close to, the exposed river mud banks are quite ugly.
Have finally taken my graphics tablet out of its box and connected it up to my pc. The process is -you move a electrical pencil over a pad positioned on your worksurface and draw, the image appears on the pc screen and its as simple as that. Even though your not directly viewing the action of your hand, everthing makes sense and coordinates. The graphic tablet is responsive to the pencil pressure and the angle at which the pencil is held, so all in all it feels a fairly natural intuitive experience. I think it would be fairly well nigh impossible to do this project without this equippment. Current technology has enabled the project, I guess new technology will always act a cataylst for artist experimentation, which must be a good thing. Im using the pad in combination with a graphics software package, I know people can get a bit intimidated with software, so many options where do you start. The point is that you will only ever use a small amout of that functionality, its just knowing the bit you want. In my case it was the pencil tool that interested me so I got familiar with that aspect of it. I'm trying to define a look for my maps how they will appear the quality of the lines, their smoothness and weight. I want a organic flowing look to the maps the idea of a living evolving landscape. All these sort of things can be controlled an tweaked through the software so its all about experimenting at the moment.
Not fully with it at the moment and I haven’t even started my project so that's bodes well for the future? The graphics tablet (the electronic drawing board) arrived over a week ago but stands unpacked in the corner. Is this the electronic equivalent of writers block.
My mind's full of other stuff at the moment, a mixture of trivia, family matters, and the wider world. The typical mangle that occupies our day to day thoughts. Spring seems to be coming early here- the daffodils are fully in bloom. What is traditionally a joyous symbol of spring perhaps portents of something far more ominous for the future. Had a nice day in Bristol, Saturday gone went to the Royal West of England academy they were showing their open sculpture show. The RWA is a fine old building, you sort of imagine the place to be populated with pompous conservative old farts, but they show a wide range of interesting work there. It cost three pound to enter and was free for the kids. Show was nice , the absence of any support literature let it down a little, as much for the exhibitors as the visitors, I would have though the six quid could have run to a free A4 printout. Hopefully this won’t be the last one will catch you again.
# 4 [11 January 2007]
Received some good news, the ordinance survey have granted me permission to make use of historical maps within my project- was a bit worried about that, the project is based on comparing maps of different ages, so not to have use of these maps would have caused major problems. They have asked that I just include an acknowledgment of their permission in any exhibition material, which seems reasonable. The other piece of good news is that my project will receive the support of the Arts Council Wales, its nice when people say yes. So I feel in an optimistic ready to go mood. My project is pretty much in the main digital in other words carried out on a pc. The idea is to produce the artwork on the computer using suitable graphics software, these will then be printed. To do this type of thing calls for a pc with a bit of power. Plenty of memory and a powerful processor, I'll need to bolster up my machine. I will draw to the screen using a something called a graphics tablet, this is a device that plugs into your pc you move a electrical pen over the tablet and you will see the image appear on screen. The hand eye co-ordination thing is a bit different since you are not directly viewing your own hand, producing the drawing. Anyway must get one soon, they are horrendously expensive but I can't do without one. Starting the project is about getting the right tool set, the correct software and computer configuration, not quite paint and brushes I know, but art means many things I guess. And then it's off to go. It surprising but to get to this starting point has taken a lot of time - a years planning.
Been looking at old ordinance survey(OS) maps in the local library they are more calligraphic and flowing than their modern counterparts. Some of these maps go back over a 150 years which is the sort of time frame that interest me. The maps were regularly re-published every twenty years or so, with updates and changes.
When comparing maps, the changes became very apparent. Starting with the earliest maps I could see a radial growth from the center, evidence of new replacing old. Swathes of woodland disappear as time moves on. I suppose any place is patch worked in this way, bits being added, removed and replaced. Some maps reveal significant social changes, workhouses were indicated on maps from the nineteenth century and maps from the 1950's onwards show evidence of social planning at that time, with the appearance of large estates and schools and the infrastructure that supports them.
As I understand it any map which is fifty years or older can be freely used without infringing copyright. If you wish to use more recent maps you need to contact the OS and seek permission. Many people think that the laws governing the usage of this type of material should be freed up in order that full creative use can be made of them. I intend starting my project next year (Feb time) so now seems a good time to approach the OS and clear my proposed usage.
[enlarge]
# 12 [29 April 2007]
TOOLS DOWN- well I just don’t feel myself at the moment so work has ceased, I spend much of my time sleeping. My condition is further agitated by the various political canvassers coming to our door. We have the elections for the Welsh assembly coming soon so all the various parties are making the rounds. This is not a typical response, normally I welcome the various evangelists that seem drift to our door. Be it Jehovah witnesses, Mormons or double glazing sales people, normally I will always give them a ear, but I just can’t hack it at present. To counter this I have placed a poster for each of the candidates in our front window, each political party is represented. Not sure what they make of that but it seems to be keeping them away- job done!
[enlarge]
‘Newport Muscle’
# 11 [29 March 2007]
This place has a industrial past. Steel, coal, timber flowed in and out of what was one of the busiest ports in the country. Local people proudly identified themselves as being dockers, steel workers, carpenters and alike, not a namby pamby artist in sight then. This was a badge passed down the generations, families would be referred to by both name and trade, thus the Williams were Dockers. A more certain but immobile world, come your fourteenth birthday you knew you would end up with your old man in the yards. Much of that has gone. I want to understand the dynamics of this, how this industrial machine worked, how it all connected up. I am looking a town map dated 1938. It all starts with the river, two large deep wet docks spur off the river, there are numerous dry docks (for ship maintenance). Quayside Cranes load/unload the boats. Serving each crane is a dedicated rail line, these rail lines radiate out covering the whole of the town. This network is much more extensive than what remains today, most of it has been torn up but the odd rusty section remains as a reminder of that past. Many of the incoming products are being processed locally, the local factories are directly fed by the extended rail system. The rail lines flow directly into the factories themselves. This connectivity and method of distribution is different to the road based one of today.
The homes of the workers are local to their place of work, you didn’t have far to travel to get to work then. Looking at this map, I am reminded of muscle, ligature, connective tissue, it has a organic alive look to it. Considering the time of this map (1938) that seems apt, within two years, with the outbreak of war that muscle would flex.
[enlarge]
# 10 [14 March 2007]
There have been shops in the old commercial quarter of the city since the early part of the 19th century. I guess that over the years, the ownership and nature of the business has changed. The chippy used to be a butchers, but what was it before that? I went to the local reference library and looked at Kelly's directory. Kelly's directory records the details of local commercial premises. They go right back so you can trace the history of a particular shop or group of shops in any area within the UK. Its fascinating stuff, in the early part of the 20th century many of the business seemed to be makers. There were hat makers, basket makers, boot makers, and watchmaker's - evidence of a thriving fairly self-sufficient community. There was a temperance bar on the street. The temperance movement was a reaction to what was then regarded as the evils of alcohol, the temperance movement advocated moderation/ abstinence from drinking alcohol. This movement started in the North of England attracted a huge following and temperance bars sprouted up all around the country. Here you could sample many non-alcoholic delights such as Dandelion and Burdock, Sarsaparilla, Ginger beer, Cream soda, Vimto, Black Beer & Raisin. Of their time they seem to have more or less disappeared, I understand there may be one remaining in Lancashire. .
"Temperance" such a quaint sounding word, indicative of another time and way of thinking. I don't think now, we would see any virtue in the concept of "temperance". Moving along in time(1942) to the local funeral parlour sandwiched between the newsagent and the tobacconist advertised, "All social classes catered for". Divided even in death it would seem.
[enlarge]
Martin Allman, ‘dont give a shit’
# 9 [6 March 2007]
I been keeping regular contact with the gallery where my exhibition will be shown. Discussing the project and exchanging ideas. It's a useful exercise and gives me a bit of feedback and some constructive criticism. However from this exchange a slight difference of opinion has arisen. In combination with my drawn maps, I'm producing a series of sculptures. These sculptures represent certain details from each of the maps. The idea is that the viewer would seek out the sculptures within the maps. I thought it would be a good way of getting people to look at the detailing of the maps. My park map contains a dog fouling sign, just as you would see in any park. Apart from representing it within the map I also want to have it made up as an actual sign. Here lies the problem, an actual sign with the title of "don't give a shit". The gallery has no problem with it being an untitled detail within the map, but having it as a separate sign with that title is causing some problems. Contrary to what it shows it's not just about a dog taking a crap. Part of this map thing is about social change, previous generations willingy followed the rules and conventions of their day, by contrast we tend not to attach as much importance to them, perhaps that may sometimes border on being antisocial, that's the direction. Anyway I'll tone it down, will be disappointed if I have to bin it, took me ages to get that dog's arse right.
[enlarge]
[enlarge]
Martin Allman, ‘park detail’
# 8 [5 March 2007]
I started mapping the local park called "Belle Vue". This is a Victorian park, a little faded but still beautiful, it was created by the famous victorian park designer Thomas Mawson. It's our local park, my mother played here as a little girl and its where my kids play now. This place can seem no more than a pastel dream and on this stage many bitter sweet minor dramas are played out. There are many characters -‘Parky' is the park warden. To kids of a previous age they were a force to be reckoned with. Parky now works part time, co-aided by CCTV cameras. The present incumbent, told me he has to tread a wary path with both kids and adults, who can blame him, he values his personal safety. Times change we change. This map will be a intersection of all that, a crossing of events past and present, some personal others observed or historical. I like having a chat to some of the older park user's, they may have been coming to the park for many years and notice change. They tut this and that and hark back to a time when the bylaws of the park were adhered to. Then, there was no vandalism or rubbish and dogs were kept on a lead and people it seemed were nicer to each other. I don't know how true all that is, but it interests me and I want to draw that out ideas of social change played out against the backdrop of the park.
[enlarge]
Martin Allman, ‘They came from Afar’
# 7 [2 March 2007]
Have completed my first map! It shows the whole city of Newport. When printed it will be large, over a meter square. The River Usk bisects the town and enters the Bristol channel. On the west bank of the River is the district of Pill and this has special significance for me. Pill is the docks area of the city. Over the years many immigrants have found a home here - my grandfather was one. In this one small district there are in excess of thirty languages spoken. Some of there communities are very old, there has been a Somali community here for over a hundred years. More recently there have been arrivals from Eastern Europe. So in a sense this map charts changes in those who have come to live here. The map is unlabeled, reduced to a series of unmarked flowing lines, I have tried to give a pattern like quality to the map. I imagined the mystery and draw of the land, this sense of coming to a new place seeing it for the first time, something quite different to that you know. Full of unknown symbols. The natural shape of the river/land seems to communicate this, the course of the river is sinuous and opens funnel like to the Bristol channel, the river seems to draw you in towards the land, it seems to suggest a new life to come. I can only imagine it must be the strongest of motivations that brings a person here to start a new life. I see this map as a type of landscape revealing the form of the land and water. The course the river takes is very attractive, which is ironic in a way, when viewed close to, the exposed river mud banks are quite ugly.
[enlarge]
.
# 6 [21 February 2007]
Have finally taken my graphics tablet out of its box and connected it up to my pc. The process is -you move a electrical pencil over a pad positioned on your worksurface and draw, the image appears on the pc screen and its as simple as that. Even though your not directly viewing the action of your hand, everthing makes sense and coordinates. The graphic tablet is responsive to the pencil pressure and the angle at which the pencil is held, so all in all it feels a fairly natural intuitive experience. I think it would be fairly well nigh impossible to do this project without this equippment. Current technology has enabled the project, I guess new technology will always act a cataylst for artist experimentation, which must be a good thing. Im using the pad in combination with a graphics software package, I know people can get a bit intimidated with software, so many options where do you start. The point is that you will only ever use a small amout of that functionality, its just knowing the bit you want. In my case it was the pencil tool that interested me so I got familiar with that aspect of it. I'm trying to define a look for my maps how they will appear the quality of the lines, their smoothness and weight. I want a organic flowing look to the maps the idea of a living evolving landscape. All these sort of things can be controlled an tweaked through the software so its all about experimenting at the moment.
[enlarge]
[enlarge]
# 5 [29 January 2007]
Not fully with it at the moment and I haven’t even started my project so that's bodes well for the future? The graphics tablet (the electronic drawing board) arrived over a week ago but stands unpacked in the corner. Is this the electronic equivalent of writers block.
My mind's full of other stuff at the moment, a mixture of trivia, family matters, and the wider world. The typical mangle that occupies our day to day thoughts. Spring seems to be coming early here- the daffodils are fully in bloom. What is traditionally a joyous symbol of spring perhaps portents of something far more ominous for the future. Had a nice day in Bristol, Saturday gone went to the Royal West of England academy they were showing their open sculpture show. The RWA is a fine old building, you sort of imagine the place to be populated with pompous conservative old farts, but they show a wide range of interesting work there. It cost three pound to enter and was free for the kids. Show was nice , the absence of any support literature let it down a little, as much for the exhibitors as the visitors, I would have though the six quid could have run to a free A4 printout.
Hopefully this won’t be the last one will catch you again.
# 4 [11 January 2007]
Received some good news, the ordinance survey have granted me permission to make use of historical maps within my project- was a bit worried about that, the project is based on comparing maps of different ages, so not to have use of these maps would have caused major problems. They have asked that I just include an acknowledgment of their permission in any exhibition material, which seems reasonable. The other piece of good news is that my project will receive the support of the Arts Council Wales, its nice when people say yes. So I feel in an optimistic ready to go mood. My project is pretty much in the main digital in other words carried out on a pc. The idea is to produce the artwork on the computer using suitable graphics software, these will then be printed. To do this type of thing calls for a pc with a bit of power. Plenty of memory and a powerful processor, I'll need to bolster up my machine. I will draw to the screen using a something called a graphics tablet, this is a device that plugs into your pc you move a electrical pen over the tablet and you will see the image appear on screen. The hand eye co-ordination thing is a bit different since you are not directly viewing your own hand, producing the drawing. Anyway must get one soon, they are horrendously expensive but I can't do without one. Starting the project is about getting the right tool set, the correct software and computer configuration, not quite paint and brushes I know, but art means many things I guess. And then it's off to go. It surprising but to get to this starting point has taken a lot of time - a years planning.
[enlarge]
‘old newport’
# 3 [21 December 2006]
Been looking at old ordinance survey(OS) maps in the local library they are more calligraphic and flowing than their modern counterparts. Some of these maps go back over a 150 years which is the sort of time frame that interest me. The maps were regularly re-published every twenty years or so, with updates and changes.
When comparing maps, the changes became very apparent. Starting with the earliest maps I could see a radial growth from the center, evidence of new replacing old. Swathes of woodland disappear as time moves on. I suppose any place is patch worked in this way, bits being added, removed and replaced. Some maps reveal significant social changes, workhouses were indicated on maps from the nineteenth century and maps from the 1950's onwards show evidence of social planning at that time, with the appearance of large estates and schools and the infrastructure that supports them.
As I understand it any map which is fifty years or older can be freely used without infringing copyright. If you wish to use more recent maps you need to contact the OS and seek permission. Many people think that the laws governing the usage of this type of material should be freed up in order that full creative use can be made of them. I intend starting my project next year (Feb time) so now seems a good time to approach the OS and clear my proposed usage.