making

How to make a photography exhibition

Paul Duke documented the decline of the fishing industry in the Moray Firth, with a series of life-size photos.  He tells the story of how he took those and made them into a whole exhibition.

Paul’s Black and White photos are stunning, and have been put into a book by the same title as the exhibition: “At Sea.”

This is photography as documentary of a community, which will become a record of a traditional industry, as it fades.

At the same time, it is a study in portraiture – for Paul, it was very important that the size of the finished photographs be life-size, as though the people depicted were there, in person.

And finally, it is a collaboration between the photographer, the framer and the maker of the text for appearing beside the photographs.

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Watching paint move

There is something beautiful in simply seeing colour move – the following videos are closeups of abstract art being made on gigantic canvases.  If you are interested in colour, the making is beautiful, seeing colours move, layer, react.  And a reminder that art includes the element of play, fun and discovery.  Where will your adventure with colour take you today?

 

Poetry Installation in rural Big House location

Beneath The Boughs was a poetry installation created in the grounds of ruined Lowther Castle in 2013. Featuring contemporary poetry by writers from Cumbria to Singapore, the installation was funded by Arts Council England.

An [insert text here] project. Concept by Katie Hale.

More about [insert text here] and Beneath The Boughs here: https://guerrillapoem.wordpress.com/

Poet as job

So – you like writing poetry – but how can you make it into more like a paying job?

Here’s a short article by Anthony Anaxagorou.  It describes how he gradually moved from a shy 27 year old writer who printed his poems and made Youtube clips of himself reading his poems….. gradual interest led to poetry teaching work in 3 London schools….

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Songwriter – Carly Simon

Just watched a BBC documentary on the making of the album “No Secrets” – which includes the song “You’re so vain”.  Absorbing.

 

We get to hear from the producer, bassist, sound engineer, drummer, lead guitarist, her manager and most of all Carly herself.  What were her inspirations for her songs?  What was it like to be at the centre of recording such a phenomenally successful album?

A great insight into songwriting and the team effort which is recording an album. And also of the personal and emotional toll it takes on the performer, in the concentrated pressure chamber of the studio. Should be watched by all wouldbe musicians.

Much of the documentary is about the single “You’re so vain” because there are so many little separate elements which made it special.  One of these is backing vocals by a very young Mick Jagger, whom Carly randomly met at a party shortly beforehand, and brought into the studio.

Carly also talks about how she was influenced by the soul stylings of singer Odette (photo featured above).  The photo on the album and its title were not chosen til the very last minute.  The photo used on the front cover was literally as Carly left the photo shoot, dressed in her own favourite clothes, to go back to the studio to work.

Much of this album and its making are indeed life and art combined – the life of one particular musician, at a particular phase in her life and in the technology of sound recording.

This one hour documnetary is available to view on BBC iplayer but only until 5 June – so watch or download soon.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b08pg5tq/classic-albums-carly-simon-no-secrets

Time travel to Jane Austen – the Fashion Museum, Bath

The museum setting includes the Assembly Rooms in Bath – which often occur in scenes of Jane Austen novels.  At the same time, you can view the typical outfits which would have been worn at that time, in the museum.

Bonuses also include:

First Saturday of each month 10-30-12.30     Sketching morning (free with museum ticket – sktechbook and pencil supplied)

Second Saturday of month – 10-12midday Bath Knitting and Crochet Guild (free)