the den @ not a f******* art show, trinity buoy wharf: the final installation and to the future

den @ not a f******* art show

for the final installation of den which remains for the rest of the show, post the exchanges on the private view, I moved the table closer to the den. In retrospect it physically sits here better, proximity allowing it now as a whole piece to read and relate better to the issues in the exhibition of female, feminine, feminist. It's interesting the idea of the work being both a functional site of exchange and then a final installation, to be viewed finally as an art object- the audience shifting from participant to spectator- am not entirely sure it works in this duality. Perhaps thinking more about this now, this transformation needs further consideration as its not something I have concerned myself with, the entire site of exchange now becoming a public gallery installation. The latter given its surrounded by other art objects, did I need more written explanation as to what-had-been , or is it enough alone, dens by their nature are ambiguous (what's going on in there?) and in fact this parallels nicely with the ambiguous nature of photographs, we view without a context unless it is uttered/defined? the viewer is perhaps to read the black photograms with the sense of the moment that has passed but they are not party to what that moment was, as is the fundamental point of the work?? I think that if I am to situate my portable work in a gallery space again, I really need to think more about this. even a sign saying installation relic of the exchanges??

The neighbouring work is by Imelda Culleton in which she transforms the elderly as protesters into icons, and considers our treatment of them;



here's a close up of a final photogram;






the exposed beams and walls adds to the nostalgic and redundant aesthetic of the den

I have applied to the accidental festival with this piece or an adaptation of it depending on the location, acoustics, and the notion of it being made of fabric that its' walls have ears, a quite, comtemplative space or a very public thoroughfare or bar environment? need to consider if it is to be viewed as both a installation and a site of exchange, although the nature of it being a festival of performance and not a gallery may be enough and there may be a quick set up/ get out for the installation element to not be relevant...... if not may need to research practitioner's who work in this way. ...site of performance and installation....

to the future.....am very keen to consider the portability of the work and the domestic/commercial or non performance/gallery space. met at gary steven's lab the other day Ann Rapstoff, and we chatted about participatory work outside conventional spaces, and her takeaway project (take home/away an art work/performance from a takeaway food outlet) as well as artwash, a working launderette that brings in live performance and installation works.

the den last night @ electrician's shop, trinity buoy wharf- comments and feedback welome :)

phew!! am going to be reflecting on here over the next few days when i get my breath back......nonetheless am feeling both really excited and really humbled about what happened inside the den and the where next of making dens' in other people's houses...hmmmmmm

any comments welcome: some from my comments book;

• thank you very much- wonderful concept and very engaging
• everyone wanted to know what happened to me when I went in. I WON'T TELL THEM. The den took me back to my childhood. A great experience and process.

meanwhile...hugest thanks to the participants for giving so much, and lora and imelda, and of course, roland barthes and the mortality of photography. x

den the score (proposed)

Set up: a table laid with a vase of flowers, crocheted doilies, table cloth. Underneath table is a kids walkie talkie. Nearby (around 3 metres or more) a childlike den made of old curtains, bed sheets, and furniture in orange torch light.

Inside den: orange torch, pen torch, cash box and key, tray, photopaper, cards, pen, moist wipes, cloths, towel, hand fan, scissors, frames, blankets.

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I’m inside the den.

I ask via the walkie talkie if there is anyone there, and to push the side button on the walkie talkie to speak.

Once get a reply, ask them if they’d like to come in the den, and then stick my hand out to show where to get inside.

Once settled, open and spread out the pack/bag of greetings cards.

Ask the participant to pick and write one to a female who was important in their life.

After writing it, ask them if they’d like to discuss who they chose, and why. Have a conversation responding to each other.

I ask the participant to place the card on the tray, get out photo paper, and photogram it using the torch light.

Bring in the shredder behind me forom outside the back of the den and shred the card. Remove the shredder again.

Develop the photogram. Wash, dry and frame the photogram.

Hand the frame to the participant to put on the table. Participant leaves den and goes to the table.

Confirms via walkie talkie when then have left the table, places it back under the table.

Starts again.

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how long will each encounter take? lora has said that there's a poet who has composed for the event after seeing a listing of it- so spoken word amongst the visual art with my work hovering somewhere in between..or outside... i will stop when this poetry happens.

sooo grateful to imelda another artist in the show who picked up the den load today. i really must learn to drive. and then i could become ultra photo-portable, like genius camera truck- imagine :) and meanwhile, am just excited about the shed man coming round next weekend to chat, er garden sheds for my garden, my true sanctury, hooray!!

am thinking this is the piece i will propose to the accidental festival, the thematic is right up my street. the web info in particular says this;

"What we are looking for this year:

We are interested in all kinds of art forms and particularly in work that fuses different art forms or disciplines to create performance-based work that is contemporary and innovative. This year we are focusing on creating and developing a community of artists and audience and truly celebrating performance in all its forms over the course of the three days of the festival. The theme we are asking artists to respond to is 'connection' as we are trying to create a network of artists interested in truly connecting with their audiences and exploring collaboration across disciplines. We aim to make the festival a place where artists and audience can exchange ideas and form lasting links. We are interested in both established works and ideas that are in development or 'scratch' pieces."