Politely asking for something else

   A couple of weeks ago we booked into a hotel in Camden.

The seemingly obsequious booking clerk kept everyone waiting whilst he stared at a screen, with the waved point of a finger,  'Just two minutes' was his cry to each and everyone. He kept two people simply waiting for their room key for the length of two sets of guests booking in, perhaps it was because they held polystyrene food containers? 

He proudly announced that our room was on floor -1 and that it was 'One of my favourite rooms.'

As the lift dropped below ground level I wondered if he was actually preparing us for one of the least good rooms and what the final part of the sentence may have been in his head?

As our heads nearly touched the ceiling the subterranean hallway lead us to one of the final doors which we opened with the Clerks words ringing in our ears. The decor was ok and the room not vast  but it had no windows! Not even in the bathroom. Now we have been in many, many types and quality of accomodation over the years, some very high quality, some quirky, some basement, some pretty ropey but never a room with no windows! Kev called reception and very politely asked if there was a room with windows we could change to.

'Come up to reception and I'll see what I can do.'

Again ' Wait two minutes.' and the gesture. Right from the start we sensed that making an actual complaint or fuss would hold no sway, compliance and a certain polite deference on this mans territory were the only option.

He checked the computer and gave us the keys to a fifth floor room. This time no comments or observations.

We were absolutely delighted on opening the door. A much, much bigger room but the star attraction was the two big picture windows with a vista of the London skyline encompassing everything from the BT Tower to an illuminated St Paul's to The Gherkin to Canary Wharf in the distant background.

Next morning on checkout there were many guests milling round looking unhappy at least and thunderous yet silent at worst. The place was silent. What sway, what aura, what atmosphere emanated from behind that desk, yet only seemingly impeccable and polite, helpful behaviour from the same person!

'How was your stay?' 

'We loved the view!' I couldn't t resist, 'That must be one of your favourite rooms.'

Inscrutable as ever, 'I didn't say anything this time in case you didn't like the new room.'

 

Platos Cave

Interactive art exhibition projects can have a life of their own beyond the control of the Artist or Gallerist. No matter how much you plan, describe and explain in words and images what you might be expecting a big element of chance is always present.

At a previous exhibition I had designed an interactive Dream and Nightmare line where participants were invited to draw or write about their dreams and nightmares, these contributions could then be added to the ongoing project. 

The intention was that it would provoke memories of nighttime or at least sleep time images and feelings. I had underestimated how many people actually dream or at least remember their dreams vividly and in fact what appeared was a rather prosaic listing, written or drawn, of visitors aspirations or dreaded situations, often at work. This was of course slewed toward those who didn't mind going public with their inner thoughts and may have excluded those of a more sensitive nature who were not willing or able to share their deepest selves.

Nevertheless it was an interesting project and I have intertwined parts within other projects, inviting contributions on thoughts of Loss in its various aspects for Lost Nt Found:Abscission. 

A more successful interactive project has been 'Plato's Cave' although this also evolved into another strand as explained below.

                                         Instruction poster 'Chapmans Monkey:Artefacts of the Apochryphal'. Solo exhibition, Bristol 2011

Plato's Cave was devised for my recent solo exhibition in Bristol and consisted of a selection of Encyclopaedias and Knowledge books (including a 1970s version of the prophesies of Nostradamus), with instructions on how to interact with this real life Wikipedia. There were plenty of contributions although Interestingly enough this also turned itself into an informal comments book with no prompting from other sources. The instructions can be seen here as well as a small collection of the comments, the only negative comment referred to the lack of a Christmas theme!

 

 

 

 Examples from the visitor lead 'comments book''

heathertweed.co.uk

Wikipedia

Monday, January 9, 2012

A timely message from 1902?

Never mind the current vogue for the 'Keep Calm and Carry on!' slogan, Clevedon in 1902 was made of sterner stuff!

Should we have some t shirts made? Appropriate for Corn Street in Bristol on a Saturday night?

Friday, December 30, 2011

Exhibition video, Bristol December 2011

Quite simply a video record of my exhibition Installation in Bristol just before Christmas 2011.

Historical record of the postings on my website so I can update it!

I have just completed two new videos, 'Dark Matter : Pragmatic Fables of Incunabulum. The First' and Gegenstand (The Magpie Mummy)

They can both be found on my new page at: 

vimeo.com/heathertweed 

as well as the youtube versions http://www.youtube.com/user/heathertweed 

01/06/2011

Another Lost Not Found Abscission Artwork reported

The New Year has started in a very interesting manner as a piece of Artwork has been reported as being found '..outside the courtyard shop, at the Mains of Taymouth, Kenmore,Scotland, in a flower pot.'

At first I believed the work to be from the Edinburgh Art Festival project but the Finder mentioned it as one of seven so it may be from another project.

The piece has obviously been moved without the initial find (s?) being reported, more details when I know them...... 

10/19/2010

Chapmans Monkey:

• New Artwork now in development. Expect new 3D, online and 2D works based on research I have been carrying out.. 
  

• Busy times. I have a sense that at least one more piece will be reported as found from Edinburgh.
  

Most locations can be found on the Googlemap.....please click link above..... 

09/01/2010

The Farmers Market piece has been relocated.....

09/01/2010

Two More Finds Reported 

Found by Sue 'Edinburgh Farmers Market Castle Terrace Edinburgh  : Edinburgh Art Festival

To be resited somewhere  more remote in Scotland.'

Found by Pina at St Bernards Well, Water Of Leith.

 

Mr Woods Fossils piece has been relocated.....

 08/26/2010

Four Finds in Edinburgh 

A good day today with the penultimate sitings, two reports from today and two from last week.

 

FOUND at The West End Craft Fair and relocated.
(No photo)
FOUND at The International Book Festival. 
This find was reported in person at Edinburgh Printmakers in a coincidental conversation during a questionaire on the same day as it was sited.
Sited on 'Time' by Eva Hoffman.
FOUND By Magpie & Stump on Royal Mile.
Synchronicity dictated that a Gegenstand (Magpie Mummy) Artwork, was sited by this 'His Majesty the Bird', the antique mascot of the Magpie & Stump Comedy Society of Trinity College Cambridge.
FOUND at Mr Woods Fossils on Cowgate.

'The Universe Is Poisonous' by Carl Gent.

 

08/15/2010

Another Surprise Find! 

This one was reported yesterday and was found by Greg at Fort Jay on Governor's Island during Figment, NEW YORK in June!

 

08/13/2010

FOUND! The first piece of Artwork has been reported as found by Lucrezia Walker at The Dean Gallery on the Paolozzi designed tiles in the Ladies. The Artwork is Red Corner by Sarah Tulloch (collage, real gold leaf)

Googlemap of locations here

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08/13/2010

PHOTO CLUES:

These photos may give you a clue as to the whereabouts of some Artwork, they are, of course taken in a great hurry with a pocket camera! They were all placed yesterday, one in a thunderstorm......

  

 Yesterdays notes:

Busy placing Artwork in the rain....
A visit today to the modern Art Gallery and Boyle Family & Gilbert &
George proved to be the highlights of the show.
Narrowly escaped being collared as I cunningly placed an Artwork after
cockily assembling & signing 3 in the same room as a camera.
Then a walk along the water of Leith & Dean Village, drizzle & patchy
rain then a clap of thunder as I stood under a tree just about to
write about the mummified magpie on my iPod. Good idea ....
Fantastic charged & ionized atmosphere by the river as I strolled on
towards Stockbridge...

 

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08/12/2010

Nine artworks now sited including Millie Burton photo print and two of Sarah Tullochs Red Icons. 

Photos of some sited pieces will be posted here later.... can you spot where they are? 

Had a rather fabulous day at the Modern Art Gallery then getting caught in a thunderstorm by the water in Dean Village near the Well.

Met some more interesting people in interesting places, you may know who you are & I may be back!

The Mummified Magpie photo prints were named yesterday:

'A wonderful piece of synchronicity this morning, I'd just had some photos for the project printed and wasn't sure what the title should be without being too obvious so decided, without looking, to put my hand out to the bookshelf in our flat. Without thinking, quick as a flash, 'First book, 3rd sentence, 10th word'. The result: Ludwig Wittgenstein 'Philosophical Investigations' in German/English, the word, 'Gegenstand' that translates as Object, Thing.'

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08/06/2010

First Art Festival pieces now placed.

The Hunt is on!

Click on the Lost Not Found:Abscission tabs above & visit Edinburgh Art Festival.com 

Googlemap live from here if/when the first piece is reported as Found.

 

06/15/2010

Second find reported by Nick B from Brooklyn, he is 'delighted' with his Artwork and also found a Ten Dollar Bill on the same day!

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 06/14/2010

First Figment find reported! Found by Alex in the Nolan Gallery, packaging had been attached to the wall in a 'closet' and crocodile sculpture had a handwritten sign 'please do not(underlined) touch the artwork.'
This is one of the reasons I so love this project!

 

06/02/2010

Saatchi Online Gallery Video Artist Of The Day http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/blogon/

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 04/20/2010

Also delighted to announce that Lost Not Found:Abscission has been selected for Figment New York City and a new Artwork for Resort at The Residence in London is currently being created.

Untitled, Resort, Residence Gallery, London

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04/08/2010

Delighted to announce that Lost Not Found:Abscission II (Edinburgh) has been selected as part of the official Edinburgh Art Festival 2010

  Edinburgh Art Festival.com

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Crocodilopolis NEWS:

Please see below and click on Googlemaps link and tabs above for News Images and more.

 Crocodilopolis Exhibition Featured in 'The List' Big Pic.

 

Googlemap  Here SHORT LINK to this map http://tinyurl.com/yzcvply

• Currently 4 pieces FOUND, one relocated to London, one to Glasgow then re found. One piece not reported as Found but relocated to Canonmills then reported....   15th March.
  

• *First piece FOUND and reported 27th Feb*

• *Second piece FOUND and reported 1st March *
  

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Next Projects:

New Solo exhibitions March 2010:

 Crocodilopolis  The Forest, Edinburgh

Kings College Gallery, Taunton 

Edinburgh, Lost Not Found:Abscission continues, August 2010 

 

During the course of the Exhibition seven new Crocodile sculptures will be hidden within walking distance of the Heart of Midlothian in Edinburgh.
Each piece will be enclosed within a clear bag with an instruction leaflet enclosed.
The artwork can be found at locations within walking distance of the Heart Of Midlothian
The Finder then has three choices:
a. Keep the Artwork.
b. Leave the Artwork for others to find.
c. Move the Artwork to another location.

In association with Lost not Found:Abscission.
Exhibition at The Forest Gallery March 1st - 27th 2010

Pieces hidden on Sat 27 Feb
As each piece is found it will be added on the Googlemap with details (Placemarks of NOT FOUND pieces are clustered around the Gallery area on the map. They are Not located there & will only be placed correctly when found or when the project is complete)

Googlemap  Here SHORT LINK to this map http://tinyurl.com/yzcvply

*First piece FOUND and reported 27th Feb*

*Second piece FOUND and reported 1st March *

http://www.heathertweed.co.uk 

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• Lost Christmas. I give you my art.Lost not Found:Abscission II  as part ofBlood On The Snow, Colchester Dec 2009 
  

• Desert
  

 

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Lost not Found:Abscission NEWS

 

Sun 31st January

 

• New Photos in Lost Not Found:Abscisson Gallery 
  

 

Tues 1st November

• Lost Christmas. I Give You My Art (Lost Not Found:Abscission II) Colchester Town Centre as part of Blood On The Snow  17 December - 3 January 2010

 

Tues 24th November

 

• Another relocated  piece found in Edinburgh Library in Roman mosaic book used for researching MSc.
  

 Weds 30th September

• Interactive GoogleMap of all 28 locations with information on Found and Relocated pieces with Finder photos can now be found HERE

•  Finder images can be found HERE or on Picassa

• A massive Thank You to all the current participants and those yet make contact.

• Photos are copyright the respective named participants.

• Next project tbc
  

Wednesday 23rd September 

• Full list of locations and re-locations  with photos from participants will be added later this week.

 

•  First pieces found!  
  

Monday 17th August

Several pieces of artwork have been found around Edinburgh with the first piece placed in Tweedale Court off the Royal Mile discovered by an engineer working nearby.

Other pieces from the Ladies at The Fruitmarket Gallery and The Scottish National Gallery  in the 'As Others See' exhibition have been re-sited by the Finders.

New images added to Gallery.

 

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• Artwork 'Lost' in Edinburgh from today, Thursday  6th August.

 

• New photos on project Gallery page.

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If you are here to participate in the Lost not Found: Abscission project please click on the text or  on the tab above.

 

During the course of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 28

small art pieces will be placed across the City for

anyone to find.

 Each piece will be enclosed within a clear bag with an

  instruction leaflet enclosed.

 

 

The artwork can be found at locations within walking

distance of the Heart Of Midlothian

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Why Do Cats Sit On Paper?

Why Do Cats Like To Sit On Paper?

Cats are extremely tactile creatures and have scent glands between their front paws, around cheeks, tail and other areas. This means they can exchange scents with other cats and humans and also mark their territory. Feral and wild cats 'nest' together and pregnant Queens do the same but on their own, domestic cats housed together will also do the same, (if they also understand the body language they are also capable of interspecies relationships with other animals, even dogs and birds!)
They appear to enjoy the rustling sounds of crinkly paper and plastic as it may be similar to small prey sounds rustling through undergrowth and leaves.
As they are essentially nocturnal it may be that they want to curl up close to you during the day and that might well be on that important piece of artwork, printout or newspaper you are reading or working on.
Heat exchange with paper  is a possible explanation but cats are also attracted to any surface that is on top of another solid surface, throws, clothing, rugs etc, anything they can nest on and possibly get their claws into. They also have extremely tough skins, injured cats can often have extremely bad internal injuries with very little external sign of any damage.
Kittens 'make dough' with a claw kneading action on the mother whilst purring to encourage her to express milk and this behaviour often carries on to adulthood using humans or inanimate objects such as blankets or clothing Therefore the desire to sit on paper or any surface that may also remind it of mothers skin could well be a combination of basic primal instincts such as nesting, comfort and survival.
Having companioned a cat for 19 years I think I may have gleaned quite a lot of useful information!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

I have just published the The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre  Comic as written & drawn by Kev F Sutherland, please take a peek if you are interested.....

The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre Comic by Kev F Sutherland | Make Your Own Book