The group met to discuss the practical and operational issues around the Connect exhibition. It didn’t really feel like much work on our part as Maggie Warrn had a list of tasks / considerations to which we had to made decisions. This part of the session seemed to go without a hitch – all of the group agreed on aspects relating to comments books, invitations, timing for the provate view, sales and insurance.
Things became a little more tense when it came to making the model of the gallery and scaling our works down so we could see how it fits in the space. It was at this point we realised how cluttered the gallery was likely to be. Each member of the group had their own requirements: wall space, plinths, lighting, privacy, viewing distance… This was resolved through Maggie overseeing the basic requirements and then negotiations between individuals.
From my perspective, because I remained flexible I ended up compromising and in situation where I feel my work is not in a space that is conducive to what I am trying communicate through the display. I am placed next to work that is large, bright and overpowering, my work is small, detailed and intimate – I just don’t think it is going to work.
I will see arrange to see Maggie before the session next week to see if anything can be done to make this mismatch less obvious.
Filed under: organisation, session | Tags: Bank's Mill, Derby, exhibiting, exhibition, group, spaces, venues
The session today was really helpful. I am really keen to have the exhibition feel like it gels and give each member of the group an equal platform for their work. As with any mixed group it is interesting to see how there are some stronger characters who have very dfinite ideas about what they want and others are happier to take a back seat. These positions will change over time I expect, especially when the work is closer to completion and it can be visualised in the space.
Jane Bevan’s introduction to exhibiting and the variety of spaces was really eye-opening and I had ideas whizzing around about the potential of my work in all sorts of spaces. Whilst I have been and seen work displayed in all of the types of venues / non-exhibition venues she spoke about, I suppose I never considered any of them as an option for me. That sounds a bit short-sighted, but until now I have not known what I am about in terms of what I produce. It has made me keen to get out there and see as much as I can, this time with the ‘this could be me’ hat on and see what it opens up. First step is BANK’S MILL open studios in Derby on the weekend.
Filed under: reflection, session | Tags: , emotions, experiences, feelings, group, intrigue, presentation, support, themes, work
Today was….exhausting…..entertaining, nerve-wracking, fascinating, very tiring and a complete relief.
I wondered this morning how varied we were as a group. We are so different in our work that it is hard to make any links. Despite there being 2 jewellers, 2 textiles, many painters no two are alike in any obvious way. There are themes that join us and experiences that are similar but the work is very varied. It fills me with intrigue as to what our show will look like.
I am finding the group experience a lot more supportive than I had anticipated. Having worked by myself for so long it comes as a surprise and yet it shouldn’t be – we’re all in the same boat. I suppose I also have my last experience of structured education, my degree course to compare it to – that was a very competitive and less sharing environment, I don’t think I thrive very well in those sorts of scenarios.
The atmosphere when travelling home was as though we had suddenly leapt from meeting one another only a handful of times to feeling as though we’d been together as a group for a year. The day distilled our purpose and opened us up to one another on many levels. It feels as though something has been revived in me.
Filed under: presentation | Tags: excited, group, images, nervous, presentation, structure, writing
I worked for 8 hours on my presentation yesterday. The thing I find hardest is the writing, knowing what I want to include and how much to say. I sorted out the main headings first: About Me, My work, The Future and whilst putting points down under each one I discovered that there was definitely a flow to it that wasn’t in the order of the headings as they were laid out. It was easier to introduce my work and then look at where it came from, why I do what I do and my history. My background led more easily into what I want to do next because of what my experience has taught me.
Once I have my ’script’ down, organising the images to illustrate / accompany it is the best bit (of course!).
Knowing what you want to say dosn’t stop you from being nervous, does it? I feel like there is so much riding on this. If I don’t get my points across clearly then it could affect who I end up with as a mentor and getting that wrong would feel like such a missed opportunity. And there is excitement mixed in with the anxiety – I get to see what the rest of the group do, we already know we are a mixed bunch – but how varied are we really?
Butterflies…
