MA show shed build day one

ok- so sheds arrived, build starts one month to the day of the private view- yikes! they are to be staying permanently on site post show (which is great as i no longer have to dismantle and move them) so need to be built solidly. this is the 10' x 6' shed under construction, it needs to accommodate 7 people inside, so no 'bounce' underfoot. 

steve the metal workshop technician is kindly helping me build them. the foundations need to be levelled on gravel- so paving slabs providing the base, using string and spirit level to make them flat. weather quite changeable so hope to get this bigger one up by thursday- fingers crossed. the panels are well built so it appears on first glance that they are pretty light tight.

the sheds for the MA show? yikes....

Walton's shed 10' x 6' foot from here

Walton's shed 6' x 4' from here

can be stained same colour, windows open in larger shed so i could pass things through window possibly. gingham curtains/nets/neutral in windows as well as proper blackout.

Possible rough ground plan of MA show? and some more thoughts for today

good ole post its ;)

I think this sets the scene well for mobility to and around space from the metal stairwell at top, and means the smaller shed is partially hidden. distance between sheds unclear yet- need more experiments with lenses.

need to celebrate and push the eccentricity of the piece now-the mad, playfulness of it in the uses of different technologies, and work on natural self, once dissertation out of way, re-read more non-matrixed, autobiographical performance, engaging with participation theory/ others' works, ensuring work is framed correctly. there are lots of technical issues- least of all getting and building sheds! plus possibly getting a lens with a better diaopter (try +0.5 rather than + 1 and see what happens)

MA Scratch Show Two- 10th July-granddads story

Ok- have decided that I don't want to put the video on here for this part as it gives the game away too much about use of the walkie talkies. It was fantastic for me to be able to review though as i wasn't physically present and saw the other side of the performance.

some points;

• people really liked the use of walkie talkies-nice playful surprise
• possible technical issues with use of the devices- get the balance between instructions and the story told
• use of light to see the device- bigger/another one?
• use of shelves/wall mounted elements
• possibly open the lens cover outside myself? rather than fiddling with blinds?
  
• difficult to find me on the ceiling using the mirror-reconsider how this is carried out/where images projects- this will be re-staged anyway in new shed, but needs careful consideration of inverting image and seeing what i'm doing outside
• hard to hear some things on walkie talkie
• interference from site staff's walkie talkies- added to it. however, what if this interferes so much you lose my use of it? needs investigating
  
• push the nostalgia/quirkiness of the whole piece
• doesn't matter if i need to come back into the big shed to help use walkie talkies- adds to the natural nature of the work
• embellish granddad story more with details about his shed/activities/magic image- visualise the change now from the campfire presence with me in the room, my secrets shared, to the removal of me and mediated story, as though hearing secrets now from granddad's shed, granddad's secrets, where i have 'gone to'
  

MA Scratch Show One- 8th July- videos of the work-in-progress

this is all such an incredible rush to evaluate and revise ready for the second scratch version tomorrow...so here's my best bash at it....






to compare to this one from post grad forum 12th june 08;





reflections on these;

• scene set with the objects laid out more in post grad version. i tried to hold back on this in the scratch- putting out the table cloth etc sets a nostalgic/old lady scene immediately, and i wanted to try to centre the attention on visualising from my verbal storytelling, that the objects i produce from the suitcase are there to erase the image. doug thought that the objects should be brought out during. i'm unsure- the thing that came up with the nunnery was watching the image and watching me when happened at same time. try out the post grad forum way in scratch two
  

UPDATED/cntd:

• the story was too much like a performative monologue- needs to be more conversational and natural more like the post grad forum, but sharper, shorter? script it?
  
• too much borrowed from stand up in scratch one-tone it down, more down the pub conversation
• liked the amber lighting although need portable light as mrpoe shed technology
  
• doug felt the photography was getting lost in the performance- however on reflection i disagree as part two flower stories it is at the heart of the performance, however story could emphasise more on the photography side in it- shed camera obscura
• monty python did a sketch with sheds- maybe look at this if interested in developing the humour side
• use more shed technolgy eg homemade speakers to amplify sound in the shed from when i'm outside
• maybe break up the story going outside shed mid way? possibly too much talking at the audience?

Ok- so things to try out;

• Less performative self-script the story and edit it more
• Investigate shed technology for sound and try out
• More relationship between inside and outside the shed with the story- poss try out granddad story entirely from outside?
  
• Tighten up the instructions to participants if they are to control the mirror etc
  
• need to make a better makeshift smaller shed for demo purpose of intentions- cardboard?

Flower story- to do;

• layout of 6 x 4 foot shed
• more blackout
• test garden spray bottle (shed technology) and timings
• make a makeshift little garden for flowers for people to pick outside the shed
• consider my role in this- facilitator, how to start and lead the stories?