http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 Hereford College of Arts Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:41:07 +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/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 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. ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 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...... ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 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.  ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 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!! ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 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.....  ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 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......    ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 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.... ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 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..... ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 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............ Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 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! ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 Today I have enjoyed a very informative and helpful workshop on Adobe Photoshop. Although I tend to use Photoshop a lot in my work I consider myself to do it pigeon style almost like one might talk pigeon French! Now I can start to put order to my practice!!! It did highlight a major worry of mine that what happens after the show....who will be there to help and answer my queries and troubles..... I think I would do well to try and resolve a few over the next few weeks but those niggles and questions are always going to be there. I do, however, feel in a much better position to source answers than I ever have done before. All that said at the moment I am feeling most flattered to find myself on the pick of the week section of artists talking. Flattered because I don't really think I expected anyone to actually take any notice of my blog. I have found the actual act of using the space to be incredibly cathartic  and an excellent way to clarify ideas in my own head. I will most certainly be carrying on post degree. Thank you a-n. ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 Where has time gone just lately??? Just as I seem to start a week the end of it seems to here. I knew time would fly this term but this is ridiculous!! Anyway, we get into our space next Friday for taping and filing holes. Then a meeting on Monday followed by putting work up for the rest of the week. A simple affair really if  only I knew exactly what I wanted ! As I have previously mentioned my space is going to be a recreation of my studio space detailing parts of the investigation into the filmgoers diary and my experiences in an alien land.Spent Thursday writing my artists statement which always feels as if it will be a simple affair but then takes ages. I think you get so close to your own work and ideas that it becomes difficult to actually step back and say a few concise words.Part of Wednesday was spent at The Rodd in Presteigne (owned by the Sidney Nolan Trust) where I  have gained myself a place as part of a week long Residency in July following which there will be an exhibition for a further week in the Tithe Barn. Exciting stuff I think. Fantastic to have something to get stuck into post college.  ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 Well. This is it. We are into the final scary, but exciting, leg on the degree journey. We spent Friday morning filling holes and taping gaps, ready for painting over the weekend, in the area that is to house our show. Monday afternoon we meet to find out exactly which space is to be ours.....Friday afternoon I spent systematically disassembling the work that has formed my investigation over the last few months. Hopefully making it easier to sort and make sense of for the exhibition. My feelings and mood at the moment flit from being excited to slightly terrified about what I am about to show of my practice....I hope that I am going to be able to enjoy this last leg and see the actual installing of my work as being an extension of what I have done so far. Hopefully that will make sense and become apparent to my audience.Further to that our individual postcards should be back from the printers early next week and will need sorting into packs, then there are the personal statements to be mounted and put up and then the postcard holders to be constructed.......the list appears to be never ending!! But I am sure in my heart of hearts that all will run to plan...... ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 We are in our exhibition space!Places were allocated yesterday and I am really thrilled. I have a wonderful space and I am going to enjoy making my show work in it! Arrived this morning to realise that the floor wasn't quite ready but I was able to start to put work up on the wall. The floor just needed to be free of anything for the cleaners when we were evicted just after 4pm. Not too much of a problem. I probably needed to go home anyway....I have promised myself not to panic, what will be will be.....Postcards also arrived today and they look FANTASTIC! So a successful beginning of the week for me starting doubly thrilled!Shame I can't keep the floor buffer though.......I think it could work well......It definately has potential......  ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 Its done. We are finished (apart from a few minor tweaks) and we are out of there! The exhibition looks good. I'm pleased with how my work has come together and I feel it's working well. I have just made a few minor adjustments to my statement and I need to spend the weekend making sure my supporting work is in order. Our assessment will take place on Tuesday with presentations in the exhibition space and supporting work remaining in our studio spaces. I can not believe that my time at HCA as a student is nearly over. It is a very strange feeling indeed......... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 Tonight is the night of our private view, so I am having a chilled day, but what a mixed bag of a week! BA assessments were held on Tuesday and since then I seem to have been installed in the exhibition space myself! I have spent (along with a fellow student and some occasional others) three whole (long and hot) days mounting statements, making postcard holders (far nicer than tacky plastic ones) and fixing the whole lot to the walls!! But I must admit it has been all worth it, the show is looking fine and dandy and highly polished.But then, yesterday, tragedy struck. I went to talk to a tutor about my work and to my horror discovered a pigeon missing. The pigeon (due to an address from the diary no longer existing) had been screwed up into a ball, placed (with a polite notice asking not to be thrown away) at the foot of my wall. A query at reception, two cleaners and three bags of rubbish later it was recovered, luckily unscathed by coffee. Tragedy over....somehow I don't think it will happen again..... ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 Its nearly over now. The private view was Friday and last night was the VIP private view. Both seemingly went well. A chat has been had with the external moderator (who apparently was very pleased) and assessment feedback received from my tutor (also pleased). So all that is really left is my dissertation feedback, the exam board sitting and the external moderator visiting the show, all of which will be done and dusted by 4pm Friday......oh and there is that one final thing, the final grade should (hopefully) slip through my letter box in the next couple of weeks. So the end is drawing near of my time as a student again. Well, at least until the MA bug comes to bite....... ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386 With all that has been going on I forgot to mention yesterday that the tragedy of the missing pigeon occurred once again. This time I discovered its absence on the VIP night......too late for action. Apparently said pigeon was nowhere to be seen on Saturday either. My powers of detection therefore conclude that the last sighting was close of play on Friday the 13th.......   ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 http://sites.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/projects/single/419386