EEC initial thoughts on revisions to (in)visible exchange in response to site

summary of key thoughts arising form photos/ experiences at the site;

the site-kitchen/post room

• the room has different functions and uses- on the door it says kitchen but it is used as a place to make basic drinks- tea or coffee, some remnants of food seemingly past its best (pushes mortality aspect!) , wine in fridge, items serving foyer, post room
  
• on the door it says keep closed but during the day it is open and it closes at night. its a tight squeeze in the room with the door closed- very intimate- creating a den of conversation, possibly suggesting office type gossip- an exposed room now becoming private
  
• only light source in room once light switch off is form the window in the door- minimum blackout required
  
• post room pigeon holes- temporary storage of external and internal post- ideas about using memos/ envelopes/post it notes, sending the photos onwards? label one pigeon hole external post? when i ask participant what they want to do with the photograph- offer them an envelope and who they would like it addressed to. enclose SAE or put sender details on the back?? how to avoid people writing anything about it- possibly asking them to complete a with compliments slip OR a memo, which i then shred?
• room layout- microwave takes up a lot of room-move to one side?
• maneuverability round room, where to stand with participant- by sink? use table? i like standing- reinforces the temporary nature of being there- not getting comfortable
  
• like the cupboards- reinforces the internal becoming external like the pockets- opening the doors to find the apparatus?
• secret biscuit tin- reinforce the secrecy at work- stealing biscuits from colleagues - make it look like this and offer participant a biscuit? or simply offer and open the lid as found- responding to contents- is this going too far/losing focus?
  
• pushing images under door- wouldn't work as can't be seen here and could interfer with the security person's job- give participant the photo and ask them to dispose of it saying there's a bin outside
• putting image on wall of gallery in the nunnery- this space is a foyer- a fluid space- like the case opposite of recommended books and the leaflet and book stands...possibility of usher/receptionist mounting the image in a photo album, very carefully, and putting on a stand on reception?
• hang drying cloths on the drawer handles?
• use signage on reception to give information about the show being in low light/crampt space- A5 stand?

the actual performance sequence- avoid things competing for attention- one thing at a time to hold focus on right element at right time?

here's the original description of (in)visible exchange at nunnery

A storeroom closet full of mops, tools, and ladders, within an art gallery had been modified slightly to accommodate becoming a temporary photographic darkroom in low light. The small closet was chosen as a place of intimacy or privacy, like a child’s den or an inventor’s secret workroom. People individually entered through knocking on the door, and were invited inside. Personal stories were shared through objects from the artist’s own pocket, and if the participants wanted to discuss, their own pockets. The objects were laid onto photographic paper and exposed and developed in a keepsake box which was opened with a key; they surfaced fleetingly through a photogrammed trace of the object,but the images were not then fixed, as is usual photographic practice. This was intended as a dual narrative with the stories momentarily shared. This performance culminated in marking this fact through the ultimate ‘death’ of the photographs created; there were options including for the image being either displayed, still seen as photographic prints on the gallery wall, or to emerge pushed out under the door as a relic of the performance. Two strangers, the artist and the participant, then leave one another taking away with them only their memories of the exchange as the images, attacked by light, continue to dematerialise and become entirely invisible in their final location.

potential modification?- first thoughts - in red;

A kitchen/postroom, full of postage items, crockery, kettle, cups, mop, etc behind reception of the foyer of the university arts building will be modified slightly to accommodate becoming a temporary photographic darkroom in low light. The small kitchen/postroom was chosen as a place of being a temporal stopping place- people passing through- a quick convenient cup of tea, grab your post, storing foyer used items, like a space to have a quick tea break, private moment away from the hubub of the external foyer, gather your thoughts- the security guards outside however are stationed permanently there. People are to individually arrive for their appointment at their alloted time, reporting to the usher on the reception desk, signing in on a sheet. The artist will be inside and knock to let the usher know they are ready. The participant is then asked to knock on the door, and to be invited inside. Personal stories are to be shared through objects from the artist’s own pocket, and if the participants wanted to discuss, their own pockets, this is through being laid out onto the work surface first and then sharing stories. The objects are then laid onto photographic paper and exposed and developed in a cash box which will be opened with a key; they surface fleetingly through a photogrammed trace of the object,but the images are not then fixed, as is usual photographic practice. This was intended as a dual narrative with the stories momentarily shared. This performance culminated in marking this fact through the ultimate ‘death’ of the photographs created. Two strangers, the artist and the participant, then leave one another taking away with them only their memories of the exchange as the images, attacked by light, continue to dematerialise and become entirely invisible in their final onward location. There are options of throwing the image away in the bin under reception, forwarding it on in the post pigeon holes, or displaying in a photo album on display on the desk in reception, assisted by the usher/receptionist. The participant signs out and leaves.

hmm, needs considering further.... plus how this work supports my MA show development...