Install 28 April 2014

On the day of the installation William Danby had arranged transport of the sculpture at 9.15am from Studio 11 to the Council House building.  We only had the van facilities for a limited time, but managed to fit the entire sculpture (in several sections) in one trip.

Day of Installation: Transportation of Sculpture. Photograph by Helanie Moore

Lee McDonald traveled with William to the Council House to transport the sculpture.  I was the only other person with a car on the day so I dropped Jess Bent and Kath Howard with the wall pieces to the Council House from Studio 11 first.  I then, over several trips transported the plinths and smaller view-finding devices with Maddy Crossley and Sarah Hughes, as well as tools/paint etc which we required.

Will, Lee and Maddy set about putting the sculpture together and fortunately all of our preparation and measurements had paid off because the sections fitted together perfectly and created no obstruction to the lighting.  This was the first time we had actually seen the sculpture in one piece!

Install of Sculpture: Photograph by Helanie Moore

Jess and Kath hung the wall pieces using wire, eyelet hooks and picture hooks that wouldn’t damage the wood panels.  Tony Davey expressed particular interest in the wall pieces and said that he may be interested in buying one.  Following a brief discussion with our tutor Edith Doove (also present during the install), she felt that we should look into charging for prints and whether we would be able to also produce framed prints if people showed an interest in purchasing them.  We later decided to charge £25 for limited edition prints and £35 for framed prints.  Kath Howard and Jess Bent took on the responsibility of recording orders.

3 of the installed wall pieces. Photograph by Helanie Moore

Myself and Sarah prepared the plinths (filled gaps/sanded) and painted them over dust sheets to prevent any damage to the marble floor.  After consulting with Councillor Penberthy it was decided that we would not place rope between each plinth around the sculpture because a) it would prevent people interacting with the sculpture, b) the plinths marked out a square shape around the sculpture – an invisible barrier and c) the sculpture was very visible and it was unlikely that people would walk directly into it.

Preparing plinths for install. Photograph by Helanie Moore

The whole installation did not take long and we were finished by the early afternoon.  As mentioned, we had tried to prepare for all eventualities which had put us in good stead.  It was a great sense of satisfaction and relief to have the artworks installed successfully and to see that the hard work had paid off.

Complete Installation. Photograph by Helanie Moore

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Artist as Curator – Reflection on Curatorial Project: Plymouth City Council House

The Plymouth City Council House group exhibition was truly an artist as curator project.  In the early stages of this assignment we had initially wanted to borrow work from an artist and curate the space within the Council House foyer.(https://helaniemoore.wordpress.com/2014/02/02/council-house-building-ideas-discussion-with-student-peer-group-16012014/)  However, as our ideas developed we collaborated together with artist Lee McDonald to produce new original artworks specifically for the foyer space and the Council’s theme of The Future of Plymouth. https://helaniemoore.wordpress.com/?s=sculpture

I was particularly drawn to this project as the space was not the typical gallery space one might expect and it presented a challenge in terms of the listed featured which could not be removed or changed.  I personally relished this opportunity because I have had experience of working in similar environments (in Local Government with Council Members) in the past in non-artistic roles and felt this was an excellent opportunity to connect my previous experience prior to my studies and my current knowledge of fine art and curatorial practices.

This was an exceptional assignment which our tutor Edith Doove had put us forward for and the group members including myself, William Danby, Kath Howard, Maddy Crossley, Jess Bent, Tiffany Smith and Sarah Hughes made it our priority to make this project a success.

During our studies we had been encouraged to attend gallery spaces and exhibitions that allowed us to network with fellow artists and curators.  By doing so, I met local artist Lee McDonald at the Plymouth College of Art’s Ephemeron, “Artist as Curator”, Critique Event at Karst in April 2013. (https://helaniemoore.wordpress.com/2014/02/02/lee-mcdonald-kinetic-artist/) This connection with Lee ultimately led to this collaborative exhibition The Future of Plymouth, 2014.

I saw my role during this project as the organizer, administrator and all-round helper and supporter to my fellow group peers.  My input and duties involved the following:

• Suggesting the original idea of having a kinetic sculpture in the Council House foyer space (https://helaniemoore.wordpress.com/2014/02/02/council-house-building-ideas-discussion-with-student-peer-group-16012014/)
• Contacting Lee McDonald with regard to collaborating during this project (https://helaniemoore.wordpress.com/2014/02/03/31012014/)
• Measuring the foyer space and producing floor and wall plans using Adobe Photoshop (https://helaniemoore.wordpress.com/?s=measuring+council+house)
• Suggesting that we add a kaleidoscopic effect to the viewfinder sculpture https://helaniemoore.wordpress.com/2014/03/11/change-of-direction-viewfinder/
• Sourcing, buying and delivering some of the materials;
• Producing the initial draft proposal (https://helaniemoore.wordpress.com/?s=proposal)
• Suggesting the idea for the kaleidoscopic wall pieces (https://helaniemoore.wordpress.com/2014/03/11/06032014-measuring-central-space-of-council-house/)
• Producing the exhibition leaflet and insert (https://helaniemoore.wordpress.com/category/cura300/places/council-house/marketingpromotion/leaflet/)
• Creating the press release (https://helaniemoore.wordpress.com/category/cura300/places/council-house/marketingpromotion/press-release/)
• Corresponding with Judith Robinson, Partnerships Officer (Creative & Cultural Programmes), Plymouth City Council (https://helaniemoore.wordpress.com/?s=judith)
• Liasing with Jake May, Plymouth College of Art’s Marketing Assistant (https://helaniemoore.wordpress.com/?s=jake)
• Producing invite (https://helaniemoore.wordpress.com/category/cura300/places/council-house/marketingpromotion/invite/)
• Creating Facebook event page for celebratory reception (https://helaniemoore.wordpress.com/category/cura300/places/council-house/marketingpromotion/invite/)
• Assisting Lee McDonald and William Danby during the construction of the sculpture (http://thefutureofplymouthexhibition.wordpress.com/the-construction/)

I also consider one of my roles in this group project as keeping the group’s morale up and encouraging everyone in their endevours during this project.  I think I took on quite a lot of responsibility during this project but was happy to do so as I am quite impatient and like to get things organised efficiently and effectively to produce the best possible outcome all round.

I enjoyed working on this group project and felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction on pride on completing this project.  I feel that all group members worked together fantastically and harmoniously.  I would say that my strengths during this project were in the administrative and organizational processes and this was balanced out by William Danby’s technical abilities with Maddy Crossley’s assistance, Kath Howard and Jess Bent’s production of the wall pieces/prints and blog and Sarah Hughes and Tiffany Smith’s input into the draft proposal, poster and finishing touches to the sculpture and plinths.  Lee McDonald was a joy to work with and remained extremely humble and a team-player throughout the project.

Although the artworks produced during this project were not necessarily something I would have undertaken on my own, I enjoyed assisting in realizing our curatorial and artistic vision for the Council House foyer.  As mentioned in earlier posts we wanted to create something that they had not seen in the space before. Previously, the artwork had been mainly wall-hung pieces, however we wanted to change the space and create a playful nature in the somewhat intimidating, official space.  We did this by thinking about audience participation and Lee McDonald was an obvious choice to work with because of his interactive work.

By accurately measuring the space, we prepared ourselves well for all eventualities with the sculpture and wall pieces fitting perfectly within the space without causing obstruction.

The feedback we received was excellent and I feel we that we achieved what we set out to do.

This project was one of the main highlights of the BA (Hon) Fine Art, Critical & Curatorial Practices course and I am delighted that I was part of it.  The line between artist and curator was undoubtedly blurred during this assignment and I savoured every moment.

 

 

Discussion with Jake May, Marketing Team, PCA

Following my email correspondence to Jake May of the PCA Marketing Team we arranged to meet on Thursday 8 May 2014 (originally scheduled for 7 May) for discuss The Future of Plymouth exhibition further.

Email correspondence with Jake May re meeting. Image available at: https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#apps/jake+may/145ad87ca57ca4ea

During our meeting Jake asked me about the exhibition i.e. why we decided to be part of this project, what we wanted to achieve and our group collaboration with Lee McDonald.

The next day Jake and photographer Dom Moore attended the exhibition to take photographs and a few days later a piece about the project had been put on the Plymouth College of Art website at http://www.plymouthart.ac.uk/latest/blog/fine-artists-present-kaleidoscopic-body-of-work-at-council-house.

Text used in PCA website feature taken from my discussion with Jake May. Available at: http://www.plymouthart.ac.uk/latest/blog/fine-artists-present-kaleidoscopic-body-of-work-at-council-house

 

 

 

Private Celebratory Reception: Friday 9 May 2014

On the day of the private reception of The Future of Plymouth exhibition myself, Maddy Crossley and William Danby were invigilating in the afternoon.  During the previous week we had noticed that there was only one leaflet printed out in the foyer space.  I decided to print out more leaflets and took them with me, ready for the evening’s event.

Kath Howard had bought a visitor book and we noticed there were some great comments with regard to the pieces in the exhibition.

The visitors who attended the event seemed curious, inquisitive, surprised and genuinely impressed with the pieces on display.  The sculpture created conversation between parties who were not initially aware that it was a view-finding device – with some humorous suggestions as to what it was i.e. a space-ship, cement mixer and satellite etc.  I felt this was a positive reaction because it initiated a dialogue of creativity.

The wall pieces were also a success – with some people making inquiries in purchasing prints.  The book print featured in the poster was particularly popular.  Again, these promoted a sense of curiosity and fun as audience members tried to guess what the images had been taken from.

Books wall piece. Image courtesy of Kath Howard

Councillor Penberthy gave a fantastic speech, commending the students for producing an exhibition with a set theme given by the Council – something of which had not taken place previously.  It was extremely gratifying to hear such a positive feedback and I can only speak for myself but I think the whole group were proud of our achievements during this project and grateful to have been given this opportunity.

Photo of Councillor Penberthy during speech. Image taken from: http://www.plymouthart.ac.uk/latest/blog/fine-artists-present-kaleidoscopic-body-of-work-at-council-house/

Jake May from PCA’s Marketing Team and a photographer also came to the event to document the exhibition for the college website.

I feel the project and evening was a resounding success and everyone was in good spirits.

Council House Cura Team: L-R Helanie Moore, Lee McDonald, Maddy Crossley, Kath Howard, William Danby, Tiffany Smith, Jess Bent, Edith Doove. Image taken from: http://www.plymouthart.ac.uk/latest/blog/fine-artists-present-kaleidoscopic-body-of-work-at-council-house/

Invite to Celebratory Reception

During the installation on 28 April 2014, Judith Robinson had mentioned that there would be a celebratory reception of the exhibition on Friday 9 May.  Therefore an e-vite had to be produced of which I volunteered to design based on similar text used in other Council House Art invites which Judith supplied.

Council House Art Invite designed by Helanie Moore

I emailed this to Judith who approved the design and text:

Email to Judith Robinson re Invite. Image available from: https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#apps/judith/145b29ed4769a66d

I then went on to email students of Plymouth College of Art and asked our tutor Edith Doove if she could email the staff of PCA as well.  I also created a Facebook event page:

Facebook Event page for Council House event on Friday 9 May 2014. Image available at: https://www.facebook.com/events/237458499777442/

I could not be certain that everyone who had accepted the Facebook invite would RSVP as per invite, so I created a spreadsheet of all the names that RSVP’d and emailed it to museumevents@plymouth.gov.uk:

RSVP email to museumevents@plymouth.gov.uk. Image available at: https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#apps/museumevents%40plymouth.gov.uk/145d182fef518520

This list was used during the event by the Council House Security Staff as a sign in sheet.

St Mark’s & St John’s University Student Documentation

On Thursday 1 May 2014 we were asked to attend the Council House so that students from Marjon’s University could document the exhibition.

We met up with two students, one of which was Harry Chance.  Unfortunately, he did not seem well prepared and he also didn’t realize that this was a PCA project and simply thought it was an exhibition by Lee McDonald.  He interviewed Lee with questions which seemed to be based on briefly looking at Lee’s website.  Furthermore, although Lee said that Harry should speak to all of us because it was a group project – he was not particularly interested in interviewing myself, Kath Howard or Maddy Crossley but did so nevertheless.

Although we had no feedback as to where we could find Marjon’s documentation of the exhibition, I managed to track down the page online and was slightly disappointed that Plymouth College of Art was not mentioned at all:

http://thedoughnut.co.uk/features/the-next-big-thing/

 

Press Release

On 2 April 2014 Jess Bent and Maddy Crossley drafted up a template for the Press Release:

Click here to view Press Release template

Unfortunately, we didn’t receive all of the details regarding dates, logos to be included and the celebratory reception event until the end of April, and therefore did not have a lot of time to get the Press Release finalised together as a group.  No one had mentioned the Press Release since the template had been drafted up and since we needed it to be completed asap, I created a new Press Release with all of the additional information and posted this onto the Facebook group page:

Press Release drafted by Helanie Moore

I emailed the Press Release to Judith Robinson and Edith Doove who asked me to send it to Jake May from the Plymouth College of Art Marketing Team:

Email to Edith Doove ref Press Release. Image available at https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#apps/press+release/145ad6504a594efb

Email to and from Jake May, PCA Marketing Team regarding Press Release. Image available at: https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#apps/jake+may/145ad87ca57ca4ea