Tired - Artphy, 2017-18
'Tired' began life as a blog post, frankly a list of complaints about the world as I know it. Seemingly the most negative piece I have ever written, it's aim was surprisingly positive and more in line with the rest of my work than one might think: The aim was to share. To remind us of our collective strength, focus on similarities above segregation and form a supportive base to communicate this negativity. After all, "a problem shared is a problem halved".
What's more, if we say/write/discuss these issues and state "Yes, I really am tired of this", then only two options are really possible: To accept the way things are or to decide to make a change. We empower our stresses and struggles by shrouding them in silence, - how could we possibly begin to tackle something we haven't accepted as a reality? And so I say complain! Not monotonously but for the healthy decisiveness it can instil within you. |
Project continuation>>
“First of all:
I am tired. I am true of heart! And Also: You are tired. You are true of heart!” -Dave Eggers |
In time the blog developed with friends, family and strangers creating a community of commentors sharing their "I'm Tired of..."'s and I felt a distinct need to recognise this collaboration and further the blog into an artwork. I created a series of limited-edition handmade books sharing these contributions, and enjoyed playing with the way in which these short sentences could be curated across the page to find new links in subtle, minimalist layouts. The books were simple, humble, their covers grey-board with the title subtly embossed. The pages drawing paper with grey printed text of just one or a few sentences per page. However, the open binding was carefully stitched in golden thread - a metaphor used in Buddhism to express togetherness or to share 'loving-kindness' during meditation. A collection of tired, grey complaints becoming something beautiful thanks to their togetherness.
When given the chance to display them at Artphy I felt inspired by the huge expanse of space available and created a wall installation alongside the reading area in which the pages were individually nailed to the wall with golden threads creating connections between my statements and the agreeing comments of others. Suddenly the lonely sentences became a giant network. A visualisation of our togetherness and proof that, however it may feel on the bad days, I am never alone in my difficulties. Furthermore, this type of simple visualisation drew up some unexpected realisations. Suddenly it was clear that expectations and pressures applied by those around us were the most common cause of distress amidst the group, or that almost all problems seemed to be directly initiated by people. To be told we have entered the Anthropocene era, or shown the statistics on depression, loneliness and bullying as we so often are, is one thing. But to look at a collection of personal stories and see this trait so clearly really made me see another level of importance to this project and has inspired me to continue work on the comments given.
When given the chance to display them at Artphy I felt inspired by the huge expanse of space available and created a wall installation alongside the reading area in which the pages were individually nailed to the wall with golden threads creating connections between my statements and the agreeing comments of others. Suddenly the lonely sentences became a giant network. A visualisation of our togetherness and proof that, however it may feel on the bad days, I am never alone in my difficulties. Furthermore, this type of simple visualisation drew up some unexpected realisations. Suddenly it was clear that expectations and pressures applied by those around us were the most common cause of distress amidst the group, or that almost all problems seemed to be directly initiated by people. To be told we have entered the Anthropocene era, or shown the statistics on depression, loneliness and bullying as we so often are, is one thing. But to look at a collection of personal stories and see this trait so clearly really made me see another level of importance to this project and has inspired me to continue work on the comments given.
Young Talent Exhibition: Artphy, Nov 17 - Feb 18
Artphy is an art-space in progress, run by a small and friendly board and directly attached to the house of the founder so that entering Artphy really is like being welcomed home. I was privileged to be chosen by the board, after seeing my graduate exhibition, to partake in their first ever exhibition. The almost empty barn space, three years from completion, allowed for exciting, large-scale developments of our work and required some creative problem solving to curate and hang the works.
Artphy focuses on the combination of art and philosophy and is located in the beautiful village and farmland of Ontswedde, Groningen. |