ARTISTS TALKING

# 10 [14 November 2008]

I have been neglecting my blog and I miss it. Alas I have pressed pause on my whirring sculpture; I have however still managed to keep printing. Printmaking really does seem to be my fallback option as a creativite outlet. (Its nice to recognise this.)

# 9 [18 September 2008]

My parcel of goodies has arrived..

The clockwork motor is the most exciting item; it is beautiful. I bought it on a whim really, but as I have ambitions for my sculpture to whirr it seemed like a good idea. I like the fact that I can see exactly how it works, there is no mystery, no digital chip or ellusive wiring - its simple and functional yet delicate.

Based on these thoughts, my next step is to see if I can scale it up and construct one of my own. The basic principle is that you wind up the handle, which in turn tightens a coil and then after a little delay the energy you have built up is pushed back out again from the coil into a little cog system which turns a metal rod. (this rod could be attached to anything)

So, supposing the handle was some bicycle pedals, and the coil was much bigger, then there is a possiblity of this powering part of my sculpture. (i'm not envisaging a sit on bike as part of my sculpture, though, I'm more thinkijng that the pedals would act like the handle on a mangle)

I like the idea of having the audience triggering some of the movement, that they have to invest some energy into it.

Along with the clockwork motor, I got a selection of pulleys. It immediately occurred to me that the pulleys were exactly like the bicycle wheels, as they have a channel around them too, where the inner tube fits. All I need is some sort of belt system.

I'm still musing on magnets. But for now all I need to get going is some time, so i'm trying to arrange that.

# 8 [1 September 2008]

Things have progressed. I now have about fifteen bicycle wheels in the barn at work. I have borrowed some science stands and clamps from the chemistry department and have also ordered all sorts of exciting motors and gears and pulleys from supplier in sheffield. (i'm now waiting for my parcel of goodies to arrive) 8mm steel rods are also on their way.

I have been musing on the moving qualities of the sculpture and have aquired some large fishing swivels. I'm envisaging that some parts will be driven by a motor, that others might be clockwork or wound up by pedals, that wheels will act like cogs in some places but will also be moved by cog systems. I have also been thinking about the possibilites of magnets in conjunction with these, that maybe I can use their ability to repel and attract.

In terms of research I have made a few more discoveries. I met a man with interests in sustainable architecture and cycling; he has just aquired a space to work in that also has an exhibiting space (he seemed interested in my cycle experiment so maybe there's a possibility there).

My friend Gen also sent me some information about pedal powered cinemas; the possibility to show films in various locations outside and inside, while people pedal to generate the power needed.... maybe a film about a mad cyclesculpture seen in this context could be pretty exciting?

The last thing was that I rediscoverd my picture of the strange Victorian bicycle at Anne Of Cleves house in Lewes. It had one huge wheel running parallel with two small ones, and apparently the lady with a frock sat with legs pedalling in front of her in the middle..

# 7 [17 August 2008]

I'm in Edinburgh for the weekend and can feel my brain whirring. I'm feeling quite a bit more optimistic than I did on my last post. I've have lots of things to think about and a few big decisions to make, but more specifically; I'm reinvigorated because I saw a brilliant exhibition yesterday.

 It was at the Fruit Market Gallery and it was an exhibition by Canadian artists, Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller.

 This artist duo have reminded me just how good installation art can be. I have seen numerous exhibitions where artists aim to create new environments within the gallery space; where the viewer is transported and narratives are alluded to. Mike Nelson and John Bock spring to mind as examples.

The exhibition at the Fruit market achieved this more succcessfully than any other I've seen. In the piece 'Opera for a Small Room', you walk into a large dark space and and are drawn to a shed-like cabin, where the only source of light originates. Peering inside reveals a chaotic music den, a place where somebody obviously spends hours shuffling through records, wires up speakers and plays with numerous record players. There are packed shelves and piles of LPs, and all manner of lights; from chandeliers to bulbs in soup cans to coloured disco lights. You become aware of a man's voice, and music which changes the mood according to the dialogue. The narrative rolls, the record players spin, the lighting shifts. The sound moves from one speak to another, smoothly directing the viewer. A train rushes past which rattles the lights and you become aware of the artist's skill and eye for detail. There is sound eminating from outside the cabin as well as a lever system to jangle the chandelier.

Never once do you question the absence of the man, for your imagination has put him right in the middle of it all. The music and the lighting are dazzlingly choregraphed, taking the viewer on his own journey alongside the missing man.

Other exhibits included the chilling 'Killing Machine' for which the viewer is invited to push the red button to set things into motion. This piece gives the viewer enough to make you want to recoil but not so much that you are a passive onlooker of a horror scenario. The political overtones of this piece were not lost.

'The Dark Pool' seemed more playful. The viewer becomes an investigator; searching though a myriad of strange experiments and sound within the context of someone's attic. 

I certainly want to know more about these artists and what they have been up to. Their technical ability combined with their aptitude for teasing and luring the viewer make the work very successful. I felt transported directly to the workings of their busy minds.

# 6 [13 August 2008]

I'm disappointed because I haven't managed to get my materials yet - the rest of life seems to be standing in the way - but I'm not going to let that stop me..

 I just had a play with my wheel sketches in photoshop and discovered that the clone tool allows me layer them quickly and look at different compositions. I've got an urge to do some screen printing again, its the same sort of layering process but more fun!

# 5 [8 August 2008]

It's friday and I have done a few miles since my last post; I have been to the south of France and back.

I am still thinking about wheels and whirring things. My dad showed me some delicate mobiles he had made and I've been wondering whether a mobile might help me sort out a structure for the piece. I feel refreshed from my travels and they have reminded me not to feel glued to routine. It always a pleasant surprise how a few miles can change your perception.

Earlier on this week I wheeled my bicycle into my dining room and started drawing. Again I was musing on the links between bicycles and projectors and cogs, for some reason I like the structure of interconnected circles. I also had a dream about making the sculpture and about my friend Miriam's piece - it drew on mythlogy and had lots of organic experiments suspended and dripping and catching and evolving.

As I'm writing I'm realising that I've done enough musing now. I going to vow to collect the materials I need this weekend and start making next week..

# 4 [23 July 2008]

Just looking at the picture of my wheels and bell jars has got me thinking about that project again. I have a rather grand aim - I want to make a whiring, moving, spining sculpture that you wind up with pedals, that takes its inspiration from the circular movements of the solar system.

Ambitious I know. But I keep coming back to it.

Most recently I've been looking at the hairbrain drawings of Heath Robinson. I want it to have a playful feel, like the cause and effect piece that Fischli and Weiss did. I've put up one of their posters in my office to keep reminding me of this.

Progress I've made thus far:

I have managed to find a good source of bicycle parts and someone that has offered to do some some welding for me. Maybe I could do the welding though?

 There is a metel suppliers locally that stocks the rods I need.

I have a space in mind to make it in and, if I'm ambitious, a place a I would like to exhibit it in.

In some ways, this idea seems to be a natural progression of my projection performances. I will be looping and playing with light and I do see the outcome as a sort of performance. What I'm not sure about is whether to aim to make the sculpture in its entirety or to make a film which uses the sculpture the elude to what's in my minds eye?

# 3 [17 July 2008]

My plan was to do a little summary of the different threads I've been working with, in order to be able to reflect and move forward..so I will continue.

Newspapers

A lot of my source material lately has come from newspapers. Articles and pictures often capture my imagination or spark up a reaction and its only recently through screenprinting that I've found a way to use them. So an ongoing little project of mine is to collect these snipets; and either run with the idea straight away by photocopying, printing and manipulating them, or simply file them for later.

There is something satisfying about this process. For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be able to respond to the politics of now in an immediate and personal way. The politcial artist is something which intrigues me. There is such a fine line though between commentary and propaganda.

# 2 [17 July 2008]

This is from a diary in May that was the inspiration for this blog.

I have just asserted that I am an artist. I am still an artist. It has taken me since February to decide upont that. I am a mother and I can still be an artist.(Its exciting.)  I felt like maybe I was pretending. But I'm not. Its me and I feel alive. I have just given up my studio (its being demolished) but I'm just going to have to be more creative about finding space. I did grieve it for a little while. And then I did a car boot sale to free myself of some clutter. Now the unsold clutter is in my living room. My projectors are stashed in a cupboard in the barn at work. But I feel optimistic. This is because even in the face of exhaustion; motherhood, starting a new full time job; relationship negotiations; I have still managed to be creative.

I went to the studio four times.This wasn't a lot, but enough time to be unfurling some rusty tenticles in terms of creating my own little domain, a space that I could walk into and feel inspired. It was enough time to be getting the coggs whiring in my head about bicycle wheels and bell jars and to be actually walking around and tinkering with materials. It was enough time to spur me on to research kinetic sculpture and talk to people about my ideas.

 Travelling is always better than arriving.

# 1 [16 July 2008]

As a starting point I'm going to try to do a summary of the ideas I've been playing with lately.

Screenprinting

Usually I take a concept linked with an object as my starting point. This is how I made most of my degree work. I enjoy the research that comes with this and the experimentation that follows. My work starts slowly, then gathers momentum and then becomes something I'd never have imaged but still holds true to the underlying idea.

example : my work with contact lenses and the idea of layered seeing and changed perception.

Now existing outside of Arts education (its been 3 years); I've often envied those that can start with materials and just let them evolve into work. Saying that, I do think that work that revels in process can be a little dull - like the basketmaking exhibition I saw a while back. Anyway, Screenprinting was a departure for me, I have been learning the process and have deliberately not let my self get anxious about the concept of the work nor what the outcome will be. It has been a freeing experience and surprisingly, some of the outcomes have been pretty exciting. I will upload some pictures soon.