Naked as we came.

She says wake up, it's no use pretending

 I'll keep stealing, breathing her

thanks to Kirsty for the photos

Project Slogan Consortium Opening

So recently, I signed up to be part of the Project Slogan consortium. The idea is similar to a collective and as a group we are responsible for Sarah's well established gallery just off of union street in Aberdeen.

We're still in the early stages where we're testing the water with certain projects and ventures whilst getting to know each other a little better. A few members will only be using the space for a small slotted time, but the majority of us have similar ideas about having a wide range of opportunities that we, each other and visitors can benefit from. The schedules filling up nicely and I really hope to use my time there for my own artistic practice, and also as a platform to become more active in the community and certainly within certain areas and issues.

We had a very casual opening with some wine and chat. We had some work up and Sheena even had her jewellery stall out. It was rather successful and mostly just nice to officially start.

Here are some websites of those who took part:

Marianne

Adrian

Sheena Antoinette

And some photos from the night:

A few of us are looking to work together at events, such as The North East Open Studies week. I suggested we organised an open exhibition and also run a few talks/workshops for people to get involved with. Fingers crossed I can do a few test runs in the summer to see how this might work.

As for my own time there I hope to obviously have a show or two, most likely curate a few shows that I believe should be seen. I know first hand how difficult it is to find a space in Aberdeen that accepts your work for what it is and gain support when you're working in subjects that others keep clear of. Its for that reason I'd like to support artists working in confronting and uncomfortable themes.

I'm also planning on hosting a regular feminist group. As we stand now, the group has been been formed for a while with regularly meeting but no fixed base. Something that has recently come up within the group is the lack of a feminist art community. This of course isn't going to be purely for those associated for Grays, but anyone from all walks of life and creating work, engaging with art (in practice or theory) in any form. I'd really like to have our first meet arrange before I leave Grays. I think it would mean a lot to know all my hard work this year has and is continuing on.

Lastly, during the day we're using the gallery as a sort of office space, so I thought I'd test it (when quiet) as a photo studio. So as a small break for myself I got the kids through from Banff and did a little shoot :)

Who took the bomp?

The only thing keeping me sane through the long slog of video editing:

Le Tigre always know how to make it better. Deceptacon will always remain a song that not only means a lot to me, but makes me genuinely happy! Goodness knows I need it as I try and sift 17hours of footage down to 30 minutes.

I also found the best response to the question "Are you a feminist?" Via the legends that are The Raincoats:

"WHY THE HELL WOULD I NOT BE!?!"

exactly.



This is what editing in the new FCP looks like:

 Looks can be deceiving; its still really hard despite the shiny and simple interface. All the same a joy to work in, I just super can't wait for all this editing to be done.

However I did make three brand new pieces of 'art' last week, but thats a blog for another time.

SEE YA LATER!

Workshop part 2

So I finally managed to complete my structure for the vacuum pack last week. The drilling was quite hard on the circular tubes, as they had to be perfectly straight right through and also identical either side to match up with the wood. In the end I managed just fine and have managed to temporarily erect the structure in the quad. I'll keep it there so that I can work on the vacuum part and risk assessment after the holidays. Really can't wait for the day I'm inside it and know that its all going work fine and look great too.

So far its really steady and I managed to walk in and out the PVC no bother. I've taking the PVC down for now to make it air tight and add the tubes. So far so good!

I'm glad I've got this far and now I can concentrate on getting other projects this far along.

I've also spent a bit of time planning my degree show space. Due to the nature of my subjects and the complexity of some of the pieces I've chosen to make an inclosed space. I think this really suits my work. So far I envision the space to look like this:

Obviously a little premature with wall planning, but its more for knowing which work is finished and might be included. I also want to eliminate any pressure so I'm trying my best to be as organised an I can. I get a bit panicky in general and just want to enjoy the process of producing a good show instead of worrying.

I'm really glad to have a few days of quiet. I've really missed the theory/contextual side of my work and also the spontaneous mad way of working. I haven't had a chance to feel free recently, everything with building has been so so planned and also the same for working on the documentary.

I plan to spend the week letting meditation guide me practically for a while and also catching up on my dreaded workbooks of course...

meanwhile in the workshop...

I've been busy constructing parts of my degree show,

10ft doorways :\ oh dear! 

No really this *will * look good and be worth it in the end.

Really would be all kinds of lost without Malcolm keeping me straight. Here we are using the Angle Grinder to rescue the narrower part of an old lamppost. I'll use this as two beams that will go between the wooden frames.

And today I turned the quad into my personal workshop so I could work on my tan as well as finish stitching and taping the velcro to my PVC. 

Then I got inside it and melted with the heat :/

A few smaller parts to arrive and hopefully by the end of the week I'll have all construction done and dusted and ready for testing. 

coming soon

Well not so much soon as... now! Been editing my website live but still a lot to do in terms of content. Like photos form shows and collating information for other archive ideas. I'm pretty happy with the new design though.

I'd like to link up to more people though to connect local artists and organisations, so if anyone wants a link then I'm happy to add it, just didn't want to presume. Still so much more to add but its getting there slowly in between construction and filming and editing and the rest of it. Please mind daft spelling mistakes, I"m rubbish with things like that.

You can visit it here: www.alaurazane.com

Feedback greatly needed.

Super super can't wait for tomorrow to come! We're off to Edinburgh to see the New Contemporaries exhibition at RSA:

aaaaand also check in over at Judy's affordable vintage sale:

Which is for one day only in Edinburgh and then Glasgow on Sunday. Our friend Rachel over at Cute Vintage has been taking part down south but unfortunately wont have a stall in Edinburgh. However she has great affordable vintage over at her website. 

Interlude.

Today I'm taking a time out at home. I'm physically exhausted, entirely.

Except I know its, by no means, a time out.

I can't seem to switch off at the moment. In one sense I'm thrilled I have the mentality but in another, being in over drive hurts.

I don't want to burn out so I know I'm doing the right thing, not only with staying at home, but cutting out the dramatics of letting it happen. I've also made a decision to cut some ties. be it dead end projects, commitments or (dare I say) people. It's sad but with tensions high and a lot at stake I really need to focus on whats important:

Came across this in my workbook. Very apt.

So today I am organising and recollecting. Starting with the 120GB of video that I shot last week (with the huuuge aid of Stu).

I've had my new macbook about a month and it already look like this:

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

I've made a first attempt in FCP and it looks like this:

Quite a bit to get through and by no means is this everything.

I'm also planning on finishing my CV today and getting a bunch of applications finished and sent off. As well as redesigning my website as my current one really really really doesn't represent me at all. Major changes needed.

Also kaatrillions of photos to come from last weeks International women's day events. Well maybe just a few of those.

Coming up on This Morning: Three women who are scared of sex and/or have never had an orgasm! :O It's like being at home was meant to be. I wish I could help all women who feel like this. And yes I did just watch The Jeremy Kyle show.