05 September 2010
A grotto is visualised
11/Sep/10 09:07 Filed in: Museum of Possibilities
Tony
Thank you. Talked with Gray last night he is absolutely clear he doesn't want me touring/camping out on my own. Although Jeff has kindly offered a space at his Radstock campsite, at this time of year I may be the only one there! And, after gaining public attention to what I am doing, it maybe is not such a good idea. Perhaps I could go and stay there with friends at the weekend. If this lady comes up with the drive (it has gates) and her front walled garden, then that would be fabulous. A right little grotto situation. Gray also said if it has been written in the press that I am to reside in Radstock get a cardboard cut out of yourself and leave it there in the camper van/garden. What fun. So, now thinking, not withstanding gales of thought in other directions, this would be a terrific installation, a cross between real and imagined life, a play on the themes of a contemporary take on fairy tales. Also, last night watched 1950's b & w movie of the story of Bernadette seeing the vision of Mary at Lourdes. Everyone thought she was mad to begin with and now the site attracts thousands of visitors. I did my dissertation on the Art of Sacred Space & Place, and when we visited Lourdes this summer what interested me was this fascinating aspect of icons, identity, different environs, events at different times of day, of processions of people from all nationalities, a place of hope, kitsch, daily life mixing with devotional practices and kindness.
Keeping feet on the ground, I have also been advised now that I am not allowed to serve teas to the public for H & S reasons, so I could only undertake performances of tea and cake and if anyone wants to join in then it is at their own risk. Also, I must do a risk assessment, and talking of visions me, different outfits and that little kettle and that tiny sink, gulp. So, I think I shall take my 1960s fold out tea drolly, an Ujamaflip it is called with its folding out instructions, and go on tour. Then during the main event days 18th and 25th I could camp across the road opposite to the house and maybe not even move the van. But with Hilds and Julie take picnic sets etc and all the clobber and set up a gazebo, tent/museum & parlour.
Soooooo, wondering now whether your van could be fixed up by your Junction 17 man? Will ring him this morning to see if he is in and what he says. Your van needs mending anywhere, so I could sort that out as it what you wished for and all this talk of grotto's etc is making me think it could be fun to grant wishes.
Thanks for words, thoughts and all your support whilst you yourself are in major transition. Take it easy recovering from your operation. Just float with your thoughts. Let go. Think of rivers and deep lakes of restfulness.
Jillx
the journey, once again, pulls out of the layby....
A gorgeous driveway is promised
10/Sep/10 18:35 Filed in: Museum of Possibilities
Dearest Becca
Here at home feeling on a bit of a meltdown. The little red camper van was installed on our drive last week, then the owner Tony, who kindly gifted me the loan of the van went off to donate his Kidney to his sister. Gray and I spent a whole day cleaning the little vehicle which was very down at heart . It needed repairs, sorting out and had me fussing around worrying was it what I really needed, could I make it work - could all the ideas come together. Then during a telephone conversation with Phillipa it was revealed that the local Somerset Guardian had featured me and the camper and they had said I was going to be a resident in Radstock for 10 days. Gulp. So, more cleaning, planning, sorting, thinking how I could get all my curious collections and myself inside it's tiny interior. Then Julie arrived who is going to pitch in with me during the festival. We had all the retro picnic gear out, the vintage dresses, figurines, dolls and cake stand, table and chairs set, plastic fairies and some very nice serviettes. It looked strange to say the least and felt all wrong. Then my window cleaner Lennie arrived who is a cross between a guru, a philosopher and a mad man with a lovely kind heart. He said, feel the love, see it as a gift, how much is in your budget? And so it went on, me trying to be positive, whilst my heart was in my socks. For me, the little set of wheels was so much of my friend and not me. Was I being fussy?
All my collections of stuff has been growing with me being given all sorts of stuff, including a mink jacket and a fox stole. So, I decided to go back to the drawing board. Ok, I could get repaired the leaking pipe thingey to the radiator, back pipe leaking thingey and broken window; and not mind about damaged windscreen and side window. Then the real Radstock museum rang, as I will be parked up outside their place on Thurs 23. Nigel queried "What exactly will you have in your van". Sigh. Well, I said, I had somehow acquired a lot of yellow and white pyrex, a kilt and a pair of grown up fairy wings. "Will you have anything from the Radstock area in there?" he further enquired. "Yes" I replied, "well, I hope too, that was the plan..." So, back to the drawing board again. What was my original idea, oh yes, "What is it you really would like to do?" had asked Mags, the festival organiser at the very outset, whilst we sat in the Pump Rooms at Bath sipping tea whilst a nice man played piano. "Go on holiday in Radstock, and be paid for it?" I thought.
It’s all about paradox apparently (according to my yoga teacher Suzanne), so I have been trying to get to the root of what it is I would really like to do and what is possible? Meanwhile, Mary is digging out her candlewick dressing gown and a pair of mules. On reflection, it is such a joy when travelling on an artist’s sketchbook tour, say to India, when the the focus is not on making art, just living life and responding, keeping a journal, collecting some small interesting things. Hmm, I thought, I really would have loved a childhood dream of my own little camper van - a place I could invite my friends and visitors to come and play. I have been struggling with this ever since, as can I spend tax payer's money on a journey such as this? If I do hire one, what about money in the post-production budget, will there be enough for a Treasure Trove Book at the end, which I bravely promised and thought was a good idea at the time? How much should I keep aside in my budget for endless picnics in the form of a pop-up cafe, postcards and pink wafer biscuits, let along Health & Safety and Risk Assessments.
All in all, I shall need a flipping holiday to get over all this thinking about what is to be done. Meanwhile, I haven't a flowery vintage dress to wear to the Tea Dance on the second day of the festival, but I do have a nice set of short purple wellies. All this frivolity and worry is not a good heady mix, and I guess it is about simply letting go and knowing something will come together. Well Becca, any thoughts would be gratefully accepted, but your hammock in France sounds ideal, I wish I was waiting my turn to have a swing and enjoy the abundance of figs and be there with you too. It is raining here in the UK and blowing a gale, there is nothing in the fridge for tea but Gray has got his ticket clipped by going and mowing the church grass. Phew, I”m boring myself now. Time to remember it’s Friday night and I have just received a phone call about a ‘lovely lady called Elaine’ who apparently has offered me her gorgeous driveway to park on!
Here at home feeling on a bit of a meltdown. The little red camper van was installed on our drive last week, then the owner Tony, who kindly gifted me the loan of the van went off to donate his Kidney to his sister. Gray and I spent a whole day cleaning the little vehicle which was very down at heart . It needed repairs, sorting out and had me fussing around worrying was it what I really needed, could I make it work - could all the ideas come together. Then during a telephone conversation with Phillipa it was revealed that the local Somerset Guardian had featured me and the camper and they had said I was going to be a resident in Radstock for 10 days. Gulp. So, more cleaning, planning, sorting, thinking how I could get all my curious collections and myself inside it's tiny interior. Then Julie arrived who is going to pitch in with me during the festival. We had all the retro picnic gear out, the vintage dresses, figurines, dolls and cake stand, table and chairs set, plastic fairies and some very nice serviettes. It looked strange to say the least and felt all wrong. Then my window cleaner Lennie arrived who is a cross between a guru, a philosopher and a mad man with a lovely kind heart. He said, feel the love, see it as a gift, how much is in your budget? And so it went on, me trying to be positive, whilst my heart was in my socks. For me, the little set of wheels was so much of my friend and not me. Was I being fussy?
All my collections of stuff has been growing with me being given all sorts of stuff, including a mink jacket and a fox stole. So, I decided to go back to the drawing board. Ok, I could get repaired the leaking pipe thingey to the radiator, back pipe leaking thingey and broken window; and not mind about damaged windscreen and side window. Then the real Radstock museum rang, as I will be parked up outside their place on Thurs 23. Nigel queried "What exactly will you have in your van". Sigh. Well, I said, I had somehow acquired a lot of yellow and white pyrex, a kilt and a pair of grown up fairy wings. "Will you have anything from the Radstock area in there?" he further enquired. "Yes" I replied, "well, I hope too, that was the plan..." So, back to the drawing board again. What was my original idea, oh yes, "What is it you really would like to do?" had asked Mags, the festival organiser at the very outset, whilst we sat in the Pump Rooms at Bath sipping tea whilst a nice man played piano. "Go on holiday in Radstock, and be paid for it?" I thought.
It’s all about paradox apparently (according to my yoga teacher Suzanne), so I have been trying to get to the root of what it is I would really like to do and what is possible? Meanwhile, Mary is digging out her candlewick dressing gown and a pair of mules. On reflection, it is such a joy when travelling on an artist’s sketchbook tour, say to India, when the the focus is not on making art, just living life and responding, keeping a journal, collecting some small interesting things. Hmm, I thought, I really would have loved a childhood dream of my own little camper van - a place I could invite my friends and visitors to come and play. I have been struggling with this ever since, as can I spend tax payer's money on a journey such as this? If I do hire one, what about money in the post-production budget, will there be enough for a Treasure Trove Book at the end, which I bravely promised and thought was a good idea at the time? How much should I keep aside in my budget for endless picnics in the form of a pop-up cafe, postcards and pink wafer biscuits, let along Health & Safety and Risk Assessments.
All in all, I shall need a flipping holiday to get over all this thinking about what is to be done. Meanwhile, I haven't a flowery vintage dress to wear to the Tea Dance on the second day of the festival, but I do have a nice set of short purple wellies. All this frivolity and worry is not a good heady mix, and I guess it is about simply letting go and knowing something will come together. Well Becca, any thoughts would be gratefully accepted, but your hammock in France sounds ideal, I wish I was waiting my turn to have a swing and enjoy the abundance of figs and be there with you too. It is raining here in the UK and blowing a gale, there is nothing in the fridge for tea but Gray has got his ticket clipped by going and mowing the church grass. Phew, I”m boring myself now. Time to remember it’s Friday night and I have just received a phone call about a ‘lovely lady called Elaine’ who apparently has offered me her gorgeous driveway to park on!