Come to Ours- The Fireplace Gallery

Sunday just gone, Didge and I went to the tea + cake opening of Hunt and Darton's exhibition at the microcosmic Fireplace Gallery here in Plymouth. The exhibition itself was very interesting- a dissective, tongue-in-cheek look at equestrianism, complete with horse shit and the Black Beauty theme emanating from a tiny tape recorder on the floor; but actually much of the experience was in the gallery itself.
The Fireplace Gallery is exactly what it says it is; a gallery... in a fireplace.

In order to see the exhibition, which is in the gallery owners Neil Rose and Hannah Jones' bedroom, you need to get down on your hands and knees and peep into the disused fireplace; a curious experience in any case. But even more surreal and charming yet, this theme continues through the house. After spending our time in the gallery exploring and discussing the piece, we were given a tour around the 'gallery shop', set up in the hallway of the ground floor flat, which sold all manner of goodies including gymkhana rosettes, postcards, original artwork, and gold (style) waffles.


Then on again we were led into the cosy living room, which was dominated by a table spread with every kind of cake imaginable, where you could discuss the work, life, the Universe, and everything.
Unfortunately we weren't able to stay for as long as perhaps we would have liked- Didge had other engagements, and I was feeling generally grotty- because there was a lovely atmosphere, and certainly a lot to talk about both with the work, and with the gallery that's currently hosting it.
This is not the last chance however, not for us or for you. There are still 3 (I think.. don't quote me on that) shows still to be shown. Each artist occupies the gallery space for two weeks before it is changed. You can book in to see the gallery on Sundays- and the first Sunday of each show is a tea + cake event.
More information about the Fireplace Gallery, and about other Come to Ours events here:
Come to Ours
and Fireplace Gallery.

30/10/11 - (2)

30/10/11

Second visit and scavenge.

My proposal for the Platform P show has been accepted, which actually came as a bit of a surprise to me, and it means that I now have less than a week to figure out exactly what it is that I'm doing. See I wrote this proposal, and that was all fine, but I didn't really get as far as thinking about what happens next.
I made a short, clumsy, bad quality 'video diary' today, trying to figure out exactly where I was going. The sound is really quite terrible, and I realise I'm not very easy to hear. Probably doesn't really matter, as I have a stinking cold and am just sniffling anyway. It's more about the actions, in any case.

I've been really fascinated by how this wallpaper, and this crab's claw are the same.
Really quite obsessed, actually. The fragment of wallpaper came to me today; I peeled it off a fireplace in a mouldy old derelict building. The crab I found on a beach, and was my most prized posession for the whole day. They couldn't be more different in their origins, but they are the same. So the same. Conspiracy? Syncronicity? Mimicry? I don't know. But something the same.

Traces that I can take away with me. I can keep and collect and make connections.

I think my obsession with derelict buildings is the same as my need to collect things, and my fascination with second-hand belongings. The imprint of a past function that has gone. You can only sense it, and only when you want to. Intuition, implication, insinuation. Subtlety.
There's a morbid fascination as well. Of course there is. I think there usually is when you're interested in the past. Organic found objects share the same story, because they were not made for me- I did not buy them or choose them. Pieces of dead animal, other people's belongings... It's all connected. I'm not that clear by what yet though.

27/10/11

Thoughts on collecting

I can't help myself; I have to get involved. I have to share my excitement. I'm a big ingredient in what it is that I do. I'm a tool. And a vessel. And a mass of energy and sincere wonder. That's what I need to explore.