Category: Uncategorized
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Carollane Parr curation presentation
Gardens are the new galleriesI wanted to find a local venue that honours the natural history and folk lore themes of Carolane’s work. I posed some suggestions to her during our discussion and she shared her love of Wollaton Hall. She feels extremely connected to the space personally and so as a Nottingham based artists, it felt like the perfect venue for her first solo show. -
Change of plan and self reflections on my self confidence as an artist
The 3D printer keeps on faulting when the wishbone is being created vertically. The only successful print happened with it lay down horizontally on the printing bed. Cute, but not big enough.In order to be certain that I could create this piece in time for my show, I have changed my plans, deciding to create a model by hand using aluminum wire, insulation board and Modroc.I created the same basic shape twice, measuring the proportions of the smaller 3D printed piece and tripling them. At this stage, I doubled over thick guage aluminum wire and then twisted it using a drill and an eyelet hook. This is because when you manipulate aluminum this way it strengthens it structurally. This felt wise considering I want to be able to add heavy layers of Modroc afterwards without distorting the form too much.
To bulk out the wishbone head, I used some insulation board that I cut with a saw and and then filed down to refine the shape.I secured this in place with fine wire and then played around with the whole piece, getting the structure just so.I liberally applied Modroc to the majority of the form, focusing on the head and the legs to start with. I then positioned it and left it to harden off and stabilize before I added more Modroc weight to the bottom section.Reflections on my practise: I should have just followed this process in the first place. I think I can feel intimated by 3D work and therefore have a tendency to be avoidant of it. But creating this, and the porcelain endling piece, have boosted my confidence. I doggedly pursued my vision for both and I’ve proven that I am both technically competent and capable of problem solving in this area of practise.And I am proud of that. I’ll try to carry that self knowledge forward. -
Architecture reimagined: The Old Market Square
I have long been inspired to create a large scale interactive installation in the Old Market Square, a public space that has long been at the centre of Nottingham life. In the early days before the City of Nottingham was formed, the area was the centre-point between the Norman town of Nottingham, situated around the Castle Rock, and the old Anglo-Saxon town which was based around the current Lace Market at St. Mary’s Church, also called Snothryngham or Snottingham.The central point between the two towns became a major market point, and hence the square has been at the centre of Nottingham’s growth around it for hundreds of years since. Historically the square forms a meeting place for the people of Nottingham and is also the location for local events, civil protests, royal visits, celebrations, and public mourning.
The square continues to be affectionately nicknamed, ‘Slab Square’, in reference to the concrete slabs that made up the former Square, and the granite slabs in place after it’s redesign, which was the result of a City Council-led international redevelopment competition in 2003 known as Square One.
Nottingham is world famous for its lace industry. Reaching its peak in the late 1800s, Nottingham was a main trading centre for lace machinery and a world capital for lace expertise and innovative design. Manufacturers, traders, and lace workers from across the world travelled to Nottingham to learn about and work in the industry. Some of these people stayed in Nottingham, becoming British citizens and turning the lace capital of Nottingham into a cosmopolitan capital.
My vision is a version of “The Event of a Thread” by American artist Ann Hamilton. Her large-scale installation invites the audience to revisit their childhood and ride the 42 swings that have been set up. The 55,000-square-foot space boasts a giant billowing white curtain that separates the hall. The towering curtain is, in fact, controlled by the back and forth swaying motion of people on swings. The installation proves to be about far more than simple playground fun; it is a beautiful metaphor about life and human connectivity.
By replacing the solid sheet curtain with lace panels, or panels decorated with lace cyanotype or sublimation printing, the piece would become relevant to it’s location by celebrating Nottingham’s textile history. The aperture design of lace would lend itself well to projection and so this piece could work in the dark as well as the light.Her original piece included other elements such as caged doves, ambient sounds and people offering advice and wisdom through two megaphones. I would like to replicate this immersive quality and would ideally generate a soundscape with samples sourced from the population of Nottingham; honouring the richness and diversity of our city and it’s people.You can watch a video of the artist at https://magazine.art21.org/2013/04/19/exclusive-ann-hamilton-the-event-of-a-thread/
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Porcelain bowl
My first attempt was slabbing, creating a thick slab the right dimensions and then working and stretching it into the mould carefully using a damp sponge.
Even after trimming the rim, the result was uneven messy. So I decided to slipcast it instead.
It still needed a little tidying so I left it to set a little bit after I removed it from the cast so as not to distort the shape. It’s been interesting working with porcelain. It’s got a different texture and structure than earthenware; it’s more plasticine-y.Next up, attaching the head to the bowl.
