Wednesday, March 31, 2010

31/03/2010

Went in to Limerick with the intention of shooting some footage in the city, however, the weather was too bad. Continued to edit video work.
The content of this video is quite similar to the other works in progress insofar as it addresses notions of perception and cognition. We are drawn in by the flashing lights; trying to comprehend the unspoken narrative within. The sound of wind, again, brings a sense of the organic to the piece when, like a shot out of the blue, a blue shot rings out loudly disrupting the senses........... normal service is soon resumed; lights softly flashing, breeze gently blowing......... a shot rings out again; unsettling, disturbing, agitating..... we will not again be fooled...... the breeze stops; then silence.............another shot, damn, fooled again. Then silence again, anticipating more disruption................but nothing.





'Disturbance' Work in progress.

Monday, March 29, 2010

29/03/2010

It is Easter holidays but the college is opened so went in. I had planened to get some more footage, but this time in the city. (Obviously I can't use the shotgun although it would be brilliant if I could) Still, I will chance using a rock to break the mirror, and sweep it up afterwards, and just hope nobody calls the gardai ! I will have to do it at first light when it should be reasonably quiet It was raining so will leave it until it is fine. Did some more video editing; also experimented with the shotgun sounds I recorded.

26/03/2010

Had a tutorial with Alan regarding the MA application; he has given me some sound advice. (As usual).I suppose the tutors gain so much more experience in artistic matters, through constantly researching artistic practice; it's great to get the benefit of their experience. Got feedback from progress review; have to say I was devastated. It was the worst review of my studio work that I have ever had in my almost 4 years of college. There seems to have been some misunderstanding on my behalf as to the requirements of this progress review; I didn't realise it was a requirement to actually show the work I was doing; I was under the misguided notion that we were just to carry on with our work as usual. As a consequence of this, the tutors were mistakenly led to believe that I had no work done, when in fact, nothing could be further from the truth. I explained this to Alan and proceeded to show him some of my work; he said he will mention this to Aine, but I will arrange an appointment with Aine after the holidays to discuss the matter with her. I suppose that was always going to be the downside of going down to Georges Quay; the tutors not being aware of the work I am doing. I will have to address this after Easter; I had originally planned on moving back to the main building after Easter any way; now this is imperative.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

25/03/2010

Went straight down to Georges Quay to begin work. Added another layer of paint to the 'bullett'; also added some "blood grass", I suppose it is loosely based on the term fields of blood. I had some lead strips which I used to create a "Prison bars" effect; again a reference to the non-liberation that the use of the bullett actually causes; keeping the users in their own pseudo-reality.
As said before, we are all well aware of this aspect of our cultural reality which has insidiously come into our lives (Murder, Death, Kill) in modern day Ireland, and while we all bare our disgust and contempt for the perpetrators of these heinous acts, these acts for the most part are subsumed to the nether regions of our collective consciousness; it is soon swept under the proverbial carpet, and life goes on as usual. As a respose to this I have obtained some more empty shotgun cartridges and have begun painting them 'nice happy colours'; to put a gloss on them, to put them under the carpet of paint.
Carried on editing video work.

24/03/2010

Went up to Belfast for the MA interview. It was a long day; left at 7am and didn't get home until 1am. They were nice enough people, and it was very informal.Walked around some of the studios after; the work was of a high standard, and the most of them were using either painting or drawing in their work. Had plenty of time for reflection on the journey.
One thing that I did notice up there was the unfriendliness of the drivers of the two black cab I used. Normally those guys would be ever so chatty and friendly. One of them never even said thanks; it was like he was doing ME a favour, rather than me paying him for his service. Saw an ex student up there, (Julie Lovett) and said hi but got no response; perhaps she didn't recognise me, or maybe she did ! LOL

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

23/03/2010

Artist Richard J. Williams went on a course today run by the Arts Office North Tipperary County Council. The title of the course was 'Keeping safe' Child Protection Awareness Raising Workshops. The course did exactly what it said on the label ! The course is aimed at artists who may at some stage work with people under the age of 18; be it in schools, the community and so forth. It is a 2 day course; another day in April, and it is grant aided so it is free to participants. Apparently, most organizations now require that the artist undertake courses like this, so I decided to avail of it just in case I ever need it. It is certificated also. It was quite intense but was well worthwhile. I met a couple of ex students from LSAD there. This was the first day I have missed in college since I started there, and I am missing another one tomorrow as I have an interview at University of Ulster.

Monday, March 22, 2010

22/03/2010

Shot some more footage yesterday. It looked perfect in the view finder but when I downloaded it today, I realized that the background was out of focus, so I will have to do it again. It was the usual fiasco with the computers in the multimedia room; one did not work, another one had a dodgy mouse which made it impossible to use and another was not configured for premiere pro. Finally got it downloaded onto my own computer and did some editing.


'Shattered reality'; work in progress.