The plan is to be artist in residence, for one week only, September, at the beautiful setting of Lacock Abbey, home of Fox Talbot Photographic museum. The idea is to explore spirit of place, and be a social hermit, experiencing the reclusive/contemplative life to echo the lives lived of the once upon a time contemplative order of nuns, celebrating the spirit of place, making performative journeys around the site, and like the Victorians, making collections, keeping a journal.
The National Trust staff have been brilliantly welcoming and so supportive. Decided to explore possibilities and visited with artist friend Jayne, to walk, observe, be nosey like everyone else, and consider the location of a base somewhere in the grounds. On the trail, met Head Gardener Sue, talked timings of possible wild flower collections, hid inside Roger's camera obscura hut, popped out, met assistant Visitor Experience assistant, studied other artworks placed on the site, cruised the allotments and watched the video inside the Fox Talbot museum all about capturing light, researched the uses of a mouse box camera, and placed myself in the no go area of the volunteers garden/kitchen area.
It was a great time to have a good mull over of thoughts and practicalities, but on reflection, I decided the idea of installing myself and temporary collections inside the camera obscura hut does not need to be part of my residency at Lacock. And, as director of contemporary art for the National Trust, wrote in his comprehensive report of contemporary art in NT properties, he did say "no sheds", and wrote positively about highlighting hidden areas. I am sure when Rachael, Visitor Experience Manager, learns of my decision she will cry, Brilliant ! And, as much as I would love to use a small wooden structure as a dwelling, Fox Talbot process, etc, I think I need to be a travelling artist, get together a portable storytelling/studio bag, and hide here and there, creating momentary pop-up up interventions, and keep a diary of events. ,
I had an idea that the do not go beyond fenced area on the far side of the Botanical garden, could work well, a space that I can use to lay out materials, make work, perhaps hide away from the public limelight behind the fenced area, and/or pop out in front of the FT Museum Barn back door, by the beautiful tree, to install and arrange daily temporary collections, leave visual clues about where I could be discovered, when I set off daily on my mindful trails around the site. I have since talked with artist friend Julie and she is up for following me around the place. Whilst in the hidden enchanted garden, I tested out some of the old furniture there, some slightly risky, and found an old table, and a flower pot stand. Hmm, I think Fox Talbot wrote a cronky fairy tale. This could be 21st century setting of another legendary tale. Perhaps I could ask for what I want, which might have to translate as a tiny lean-to gazebo, instead of magical wooden dwelling, and located instead, if weather dodgy, behind the fenced area with a table and an able to be sat upon chair?
|
|
This getting others to snap portrait photographs is going to be scary!
|
Everything feels positive, about living in the moment, it could be an experiential and a visual opportunity, and, as I will be inviting folk to take pictures of a story in the making, need to consider how to document and make this work, maybe go back to timeless processes, working in black and white film, old box camera or whatever. On this subject of sharing the story/inviting the visitors to guess where I am, inside the entrance to the Fox Talbot museum area/bookshop there is a window (currently with a mirror placed), a black cloth display board and opposite a small blank display area. Wondered if this area could be used to display any outcomes, a multi-media journal, any pics, think it would sit well alongside all the books etc. And, as I had asked Rachael, NT VE Manager, what do thing I will bring, Calm, she said. I reflect deeply on the possibilities.
