The spectator takes over ...
Well 'Searching for the Spectator' turned out to be (as usual with these events) a bit of a mixed bag. However, as the only 'spectator' who'd actually experienced one of the projects discussed (Uncle) Mike Ostler came up trumps ... that man needs a Blog ... I for one would certainly read it!
As usual he downloaded to me more information about new developments in Thurrock than I could have unearthed in hours of Interweb research. He then gave a funny and engaging presentation (after I lined him up with a brief history of how Bata-ville began and showed a film clip of the egg dump by way of an intro to the trip) provoked more questions than any other speaker, and apparently then held forth in the pub! Next time I'm just going to give him the DVD and stay at home ...
I have to confess that our session (presented with the Juneau's and Adam from Grizedale) did feel rather at odds with the rest of the day. I personally failed to see the connection to other more gallery based pieces discussed. It's not that I don't find this work interesting I just think it's attempting a type of engagement so different to the work we were presenting that any comparison seems a rather pointless.
Ironically having listened to people talking about 'art engagement' all day - some of the most limited kind - I went to an amazing theatre production by 'Punchdrunk' that evening. As I experienced a 'one-to-one' with an actress who locked me in a room alone with her and then blindfolded me, I had to laugh as I thought back on the rest of the days engagement!
Karen & Mike
talk planes on the trip
1 Comment:
A pleasure to assist, Nina. I always enjoy the follow-up activity concerned with "Bata-ville". Maybe I should set up as RENT-A-CONTENTION.COM ?
"Uncle" Mike
"Uncle" Mike Ostler, September 26, 2007 20:26
I was at the Reading Symposium and I agree with what you were saying, however, if it hadn't been for yours, Grizedales and junneau's section, I probably would have run away to the hills confused and crying. I am with you when you say that it's not that the work presented wasn't interesting, but it all seemes to revolve around the framing of the spectator within a gallery context, something that made my brain ache a tad by the end of the day.
So thankyou for providing a very relevant interlude, and a sense of stimulus. And your man Mike is a legend.
verity, October 12, 2007 10:36
Thanks for your comment Verity ... it's good to feel we made some contribution to the day - always hard to tell at those events!!
You might want to read Adam's comments over on the Grizedale Blog to!
Nina Pope, October 16, 2007 18:01
yeah i read his comment, it tickled me to bits! I posted a reply about what we were doing in the audience for most of the day, I managed to make a list of anagrams of all the delegates, no fervent note takig i'm afraid, just childish linguistic fun- spectators in an parallel universe blah blah blah
verity, October 16, 2007 21:54
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