ARTISTS TALKING

# 10 [8 May 2008]

I have spent the last two days making a small filing box in which to house the results of my investigation into the Filmgoers Diary. I'm really pleased with it, it has worked really well but why did I feel the need to make it?? Is it some sort of personal indexing system? Maybe its a place to file and organise my ideas??

After a really helpful chat with a tutor today I have (finally) decided that my show will consist of the findings and results of the investigation. I don't feel the need to explain in black and white what my work is about but on looking at it I hope the show visitor will have a little glimpse into what I have been up to. Combinations of refined larger pieces and smaller investigative pieces will fuse together to create a really interesting viewing experience. 

So, over the next couple of weeks I can continue to develop the work and literally be at a point at which I am able to show my most recent ideas and thoughts as an installation. Exciting I think! 

# 9 [6 May 2008]

I can not believe that its been so long since my last post. Just goes to show that time flies when you're having fun! I have spent the last week selecting the image for my summer show postcard and have decided to use the one was selected for the Degrees Unedited cover composite (I feel it would be daft not to)! The image was one of the starting points for work I am currently creating. I have also ordered my graduation gown and spent a lot of time deliberating what to do with all the evidence collected from the Filmgoers Diary. I feel as if my ideas are coming together and it is really just a case of how to display the resulting work to its best advantage. With only three weeks left it is getting just a little bit scarey.........

# 8 [26 April 2008]

I survived my trip to London. I can not explain the nerves I had which stemmed from the knowledge that I could be caught taking photographs of peoples homes that I do not know. Does that amount to spying?? I visited 9 of the 18 addresses I have previously written to. The first was the worst for my butterflys...what if someone opened the door and saw me.....what would I say??? Would I tell the truth or make up an even stranger story....would people understand? I pressed the button to release the shutter for the first time.. and then a few more times then with a quick glance over my shoulder I walked (quickly) away. The rest of the day faired pretty much the same I collected photographs of 9 areas and 9 doors. Traveled goodness know how far on the London underground and walked what felt like miles. But my mission was accomplished. Now to study my booty and decide on my next plan of action.....

# 7 [21 April 2008]

I've just realised that its been ten days since I last posted. How fast time flies by. I've been busy with sorting out my imminent trip to London (tomorrow) and  helping to organise people for postcards for the  summer show, which I fear will be with us sooner than we think. Now only six weeks until we get into our space......... Will post again on my return from the Filmgoers addresses....

# 6 [11 April 2008]

Its been a few days since my last entry. This is mostly due to having visitors to stay and now being back in full flow of the final term. Scary. I calculated yesterday that there are seven weeks left until the end of May. We get into our exhibition space on 3rd June (hopefully) although we still don't seem to have confirmation of where that is. 

I have had one more letter back but sadly it was returned by Royal Mail as an address not existing. I was thinking about the letters that I sent and arrived at pigeons. So I have spent the last day making origami pigeons out of photocopies of the letters. The plan is that as replies come back the pigeons will move status. At the moment they are all balancing on a wire up high in my studio space apart from the ones that I have had some sort of contact with. They are on my desk because they have 'come home'. The one that doesn't exist will be crumpled. Sad I know but necessary......

The plan is still to visit. I am in the process of planning a military type manoeuvre in order to visit all of the addresses reachable by underground in one day. Maybe those letters should mutate into rats...... 

# 5 [3 April 2008]

My wishing and hoping is working! I can not believe how kind people can be....in todays post I have received a booklet, past and present of Duffield, a map and letter of best wishes from another of my Filmgoers addresses. It is so exciting to think that people want to help and are not just considering me to be a crackpot!!!

Anyway enough excitement for one morning. I have an interview for a job tomorrow for which I have been asked to give a three minute presentation of a 3D object of interest to me. You guessed....I will be presenting the Filmgoers Diary, its of interest and very relevant to me and I could talk about it for ages. So now to condense into three minutes..... 

# 4 [1 April 2008]

Yippie! Today I have recieved a reply from one of my Filmgoers Diary addresses! A good one too. A very kind gentleman has included a photograph of London NW3 detailing a London Transport Substation amongst other things. He has also wished me luck with the project which is really encouraging, especially when I was beginning to lose hope which is what happens when you are the type of person that wants things to happen yesterday! But my hope is reignited, I will hope for many more replies!!

# 3 [30 March 2008]

Gosh. I was desparate to add to my blog yesterday but a-n appeared to be be down so as a day late entry here goes....I feel I need to reflect now my letters have gone off to, hopefully, receptive recipients. I think i secretly wanted and half expected some of my relplies today. I sent them Thursday, they would have got them Friday, plenty of time for a reply for Saturday......in an ideal world with people who want to play. I now feel nervous about what I have done. I have permanent butterflies in my tummy about the replies I may get. I do not wish to offend. I feel as if I am on the edge of something big and I am about to fall in. It feels very strange to feel this way. 

# 2 [27 March 2008]

I'm back but slightly after I expected I would be. The last two weeks have been rather busy as excitingly I have found a studio space (in a new artists co-operative) in which to work. So life post degree is beginning to feel less daunting.....although my new worry is what am I going to do in my new space??

The investigations into the Filmgoers Diary have also taken longer than I anticipated. I decided to write to each of the addresses and ask them to reply with a description of the place as it is now and maybe send me a photo or postcard of the area. I have, this afternoon, posted 'phase one' of the letters. 'Phase one' because the postal addresses were easy to find without too much delving. Eighteen were sent in total, most were London based. It will be interesting to see what comes back, will there be elements of previous occupants evident? A visit is still imminent. 'Phase two is pending...... 

# 1 [18 March 2008]

I am starting this blog with a brief introduction about my thoughts to date. 

I believe we as humans come and go in each others lives and spaces with a result of a possible change in the course of the future. We intertwine with each other sometimes barely being aware that we are doing so.

I will for this final project be working from a used diary I have acquired from 1952. 1952 because it is a year that is the same day to date wise as 2008 ie; 18/03/1952 was also a Tuesday.

The diary entries are fascinating in themselves as the original owner was unknown to me. Their time is unfamiliar and intriguing. Who were they? What did they leave behind? What do the diary entries relate to? There are references to books in the diary and lists of address (most in London) that I am going to visit. I don't expect to find concise answers to my questions but the process and discoveries  are part of the journey.