06 February 2011
Whatever you had lurking in the cupboard
12/Feb/11 08:09 Filed in: Museum of Possibilities
Marina filmed me in the Radstock library talking about my residency. To my horror when the video camera viewer swivelled round, there was sitting a middle aged woman in front of the Large Print books looking exhausted. Flip I thought, as she niftily organised sound kit and her long legs dressed in black leather shorts. Crikes, I thought, as I leaned forward from the interview chair to let a nice lady take a book off the shelf behind me. Things weren't feeling so good. Why had I worked like mad over the last few months - was I on some sort of quest? I answered the questions as best I could in response to her bright enquiries, as she was the new artist in residence. But I was feeling rather on the spot. Around me there were the murmurings of the library life, people coming and going. Luckily before we started I had got some research in about the once upon a time Rev Skinner who was an avid chronicler and wrote reams of rather dark stuff on interesting characters in his parish. Amongst all this richness, I was trying to work out what was the story about a seventeen day residency. All this planning towards an exhibition and hoping that residents of Radstock would come, that it had become so much part of my life that it surely can't be sensible. As I said, it was all supposed to be about play, but has become deep work. At the end of the session, she asked me to write freestyle for three minutes, inspired by something I said "Whatever you had lurking in the cupboard is revealed..." Crikes, I thought, did I say that, I must be more mindful of my speech. Anyway, I scribbled furiously for three minutes into my time, my space, journal, it was the best bit of my day. Reading back it featured dreams, mirrors and possibilities, and sitting there reminded me that libraries were so much part of my childhood, to me they are sacred enclaves, a place for quiet reflection and a way to enter different worlds through the pages of books.
A way into people's hearts
07/Feb/11 19:25 Filed in: Museum of Possibilities
Dear Jill,
thanks for getting in touch. Your project looks really interesting, you've
really found a way into peoples' hearts. My own work, being fundamentally
about nature spirituality, has much more limited appeal! ... but I've had a
look at the RWA website and can't find any mention of your exhibition in
their programme. When is it on, and are you having an opening event? I might
be able to come along.
With best wishes, Jon
Hi John
I read your article in a-n about ordinary people/Fine Art. I am an artist
living near Swindon working in social engagement art. I have a show coming
up at the RWA Bristol called Dreams, Masks & Mirrors, it is black & white
portrait photographic installation celebrating a community\'s involvement in
Somerset of play, a contemporary take on fairytale and myth. Ordinary folk
responded to my Travelling Museum of Possibilities, and were inspired to
participate in performative interventions, documented with photography. Do
visit my website and see exhibition details. www.jillcarterartworks.com