Monopoly

Monopoly
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Hitachi
Hitachi PDF

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Much Ado About Nothing

Much Ado About Nothing

I've not seen Shakespeare in the theatre for a while, the last time i seem to recall not enjoying it very much because i was terrified of heights and sitting on the top row at the Globe, anyway, surely the Balcony at the Wyndham's wouldn't be similar at all...
I think it was higher actually, and i managed to book two seats just hanging over the front (o dear, well at least my height issue isn't so bad anymore)
Anyway, Much Ado About Nothing, a play based on the over-the-top simplicity of conversation and life. I understand how this is an oxymoranic sentence, but i can't think of another way to describe it. The version in the Wyndham's, was a contemporary mix of settings/costume of the 80's (Wham) and now. There were things that i noticed, but was unsure whether it was content or my own mind making it up, for example, in the wedding scene, Beatrice is wearing an outfit very similar to Kate Middletons iconic blue engagement dress- But it was mainly 80's. I think the stage managing has tainted my mind a little to notice too much, but in this play it made me enjoy it more because everything was so perfect. I don't pretend to find Shakespeare easy, but the fact that there were children in the stalls laughing in all the right places backs up the choice of cast in this play. Catherine Tate was amazing as Beatrice, although there were the odd moments where she defined herself as "Catherine Tate in the role of..." she made every single word that she said understandable through tone and movement, i only wish i had been closer to the front to be able to see her facial expressions. David Tennant was also very good- he went more for the audience participation angle- confronting the audience with a look, when others were speaking about him, he also had a very good repour with the other characters.
I think the essence of slapstick was something that very much appealed to me- drunken stag do scenes and writing love poems to the sound of an electric miniature keyboard- but i can't say too much without it being ruined for anyone else going to see it. It is definitely something i want to go back and see again, it reminded me so much of BBC's Blackpool, in some ways it was a bit of a musical, although because of the high profile cast, will probably not get a chance to.
I am however now very tempted to go and see it in The Globe, just to recognise the differences in content.

Fundraising Update!!

Hi Everyone,

 Just an update on Fundraising and organisation for degree show-

The Catalogue has been sent to print after an astounding amount of sleepless, indesign filled nights for Lauren and the rest of the catalogue gang- so if you see Lauren, Taki, Luke or James remember to buy them a drink for all of their hard work.

Also on this note- Neil Stoker has the website up and running, so you should have recently received log-in details for the site so you can upload any photos/information about your work that you want.

Fundraising:

Recently there has been a massive and successful push from the members of the fundraising team to get the last amounts of money that we need. The Homonculas event on Friday raised £460 (Thank you Benji, Annie, Kiera, Hazel, plus all others that helped with this event) and the Summer Fayre the previous Friday raised another £450 (Again, thank you to Joe an all the stall holders). We have also had various other things going on like ‘The Disney Boat Party’ and the ‘Made in Chelsea’ DVD launch. However, with at least 3 weeks to go before the PV, there are still ways to help raise a couple of £’s:

‘Made in Chelsea’ – A DVD containing 12 pieces of video art from different students in our year is available to buy at just £5 in aid of fundraising- If you would like to buy one of these DVD’s please contact:  Joe Easeman-  joe_easeman@live.co.uk  (CG11)

Year Photo – The year Photo is still available to buy at £5 for an A4 copy and £8 for an A3 copy, again please contact Joe Easeman to order one, or to pick up and pay if you have already ordered. He has all of the prints in his studio, so please drop by and see him in CG11.

Organisation for degree show:

Student Contact Desk: As Gill said in the previous meeting, there will be a student contact desk timetable posted on the degree show board by the lecture theatre. Each slot is 2 hours and there are enough times throughout the show for everyone in our year to do 2 hours. So please sign up. While on the contact desk you will be expected to sit by the canteen and talk to visitors about work, help with maps and information about students etc

Student Price list: As discussed in the meeting last week, there is a price list organised by the college with a 20% commission. There has been in the past a price list made by students who do not want to  pay commission on selling their work and would prefer to sell directly to the buyer without the colleges input. Sam Rudd has kindly proposed to make this list and support students in selling their artwork on a commission free basis. So if you would be interested please contact:  Sam Rudd-  sams_in_da_clouds@hotmail.com

Paint: There have been suggestions to buy some extra white paint this year, as it is known to run out every year, as Sharon can only order a certain amount. She has advised how much extra we would need to buy- however, as well as the white paint being needed there is also interest in getting some black paint as well- however I will need to estimate how much we need by people getting in touch with me if they are going to paint their spaces back. So please get in touch with me to let me know about your black paint needs: nataliebays@msn.com

Performance Timetable: If you are doing a performance during the private view and/or the week show, please let Tim Ridley know, as there will be a performance guide to be given out during the Private View and Show. He needs your performance times ASAP due to printing times so please get those to him as soon as possible: tim.ridley@yahoo.co.uk

Finally, I have managed to rope in 3 1^st year students to help us out during the Private view (Catalogue/ drink giving out etc) however we will probably need about 3 or 4 more- so if you know any 1^st or 2^nd years that can be bribed easily with free drink and a catalogue, please put them in contact with me: nataliebays@msn.com

Cheers!

Natalie

(P.s. we are still taking fundraising donations, so if you would like to give some money, please see myself or Joe at the end of the year meeting tomorrow/next week)

An Explanation of my Degree Show Proposal

The Crooked House

A proposal for the Chelsea College of Art and Design BA Fine Art Degree Show:

Leading from the university rise of fees earlier this year to £9000 per annum for national students, we are now told- “Richest students to pay for extra places at Britain's best universities” (Guardian, May 9^th 2011).

The argument originally on everyone’s lips for the rise in fees, was that the country is in financial difficulty; ‘there would being no difference in student intake, as the loaning system would not change’. How can this now be the case when students are able to pay to secure a place that others may be more worthy of? This is a factor that I cannot ignore in the site-specificity of the artwork that I am to. There have been cuts in arts funding, cuts in arts education funding, so what choices do the university of the arts have, and which ones will they make? 

The Crooked House is a participatory performance piece spanning over a week. Hosted by a stereotype London lettings agent, events, including champagne receptions and bookable tours of ‘un-built’ flats will take place in and around a marketing suite at the front of the D Block facing the parade ground in the college. The imaginary flats will be marketed as a ‘way forward for the college to both make money and maybe even house it’s most affluent students’- as Westminster is a sought after place on the property ladder, and the college has such a rich heritage, the flats will be marketed at the appropriate high prices.

An imaginary solution to the cuts in arts education funding, this is also a work that addresses commercialism within the arts, and the rise in rental prices since the recession hit. 

A letting agents worth may not be identified immediately as that of the hostess, however, if the process is actualised to the agent’s full job description, it can be the ‘truest’ form of hospitality. If you stretch the term hostess to the edge of its meaning, it is to make someone feel so ‘at home’ in an environment that the host no longer retains ownership over the space. A lettings agent introduces you to a space, invites you to live there without intrusion, unless asked, in which case will facilitate any need; with the intention to please, to retain custom.

The twist of course, is the custom, the guest ultimately pays for a service, and those who can pay more will receive a better service. In central London, where rental prices are high, you find that overall there is a much better lettings service- suburban budget agencies offer a lot less in service, for example cheap online estate agents who will just do online bookings or a middle of the road company like Foxton’s who will only ever perceive to being hospitable with an advertised drink- These are the agents who do not facilitate a home, they only symbolise the commerce. This tier system of estate agent hospitality is similar to the new to be tier system of education where you pay for what you can afford, where the rich are facilitated, the poor turn to the ‘Open University’ and the rest of us join a course for a cup of free coffee and Amoretti biscuit.

Dancing in Their Footsteps- 1 last performance

There will be one final performance of age Exchange's  'Dancing in Their Footsteps' on June 4th in the 'BakeHouse' Theatre in Blackheath.
Come along for some reminissing and a good old sing song!

Jeremy Vs Morality

 To glorify the ‘Jeremy Kyle’ Show is morally wrong. 

Is this statement fact or is it just a misunderstanding of its participants, a trying case of ‘us’ higher beings trying to avoid the under-class altogether? This could be described as an under-class show; without trying to stereotype an audience, it plays at a time when most would be at work, thus illustrative of the target group. Perhaps it is not the case that it is immoral for the middle classes to watch, just an excuse of avoidance in wanting to enjoy a show that is not intended for them. The show is entertaining, it allows the viewer insight into a person’s life. As you can see from any reality TV programme, no matter how mundane the subject (Big Brother), obscure the content (Any real life documentary on channel 4) or factual (BBC 4) people will watch because they are interested in people. The immorality comes from The Jeremy Kyle show team, who do use participants as contestants- they wind them up with phone calls and allow those with obvious mental disability destroy their lives on the show for ratings and then provide a lack of aftercare (A session of counselling cannot heal public humiliation) . However, now this show has left its mark on society as something that abuses the disabled and disturbed, should it be destroyed? Because actually it does appeal to an audience that does not actually gain much consideration, the deed has been done and to take away from the disadvantaged any aspiration would also be immoral. Catch 22.

To conclude, it is not immoral to watch ugly people on TV, it’s not immoral to think that they are ugly either- ugliness is subjective and not surface deep and I’m sure those that watch and aspire to the Jeremy Kyle show do not find those on the apprentice attractive- either way, my point  is that ugliness should not be hidden to sweep a whole class of people under the carpet, if it is morally wrong to watch ‘ugly’ people, then in a different subjective class it is immoral to watch ‘attractive’ people. Jeremy Kyle owns his own style of Airbrush.

My Girlfriend Broke A Plate! (For Jeremy)

My Girlfriend Broke a plate is a piece of work based on the immoralities o f the Jeremy Kyle show. Centred on the aspirations of the contestants and the behaviour of the backstage staff, there becomes a strange juxtaposition in the confusion of unlikely contestants becoming what they imagine the real show contestants to be.

 This work also challenges the roles of authority within a minority influence – if spoken to abruptly, will a participant become defensive or subservient. The Host to the backstage of this publicity shoot is ‘just doing their job’ in her actions, and is un-amused by the participants that she would have to deal with everyday.  Only praising those who make her life easier, those who moralistically choose not to argue are given a hard time. The subservient succeed by arguing and imagining ‘over-the-top’ situations to fit with the shows identity. Unlike the actual show, this is just a publicity shoot, therefore realises a different standpoint to the show- those who ‘want to’ participate.

There are quite sinister themes also appearing in the context of this backstage show, people can view what is happening through a internet link up in the main exhibition space which encourages them to want to be involved, yet the lack of sound indents the knowledge of what they will be getting themselves into. It also uses voyeurism to expand on the thoughts of the immoralities of watching the unknowing participant- suggesting that if they watch, enjoy and ‘want to be involved with the show’ then they deserve to be belittled, embarrassed and confused backstage as well as being watched themselves by the audience.  It can also be noted that the themes of each show are quite dull in comparison to the issues usually raised in Jeremy Kyle- this is to correspond the ability for people to argue over the slightest of things- and even the detrimental action that this can provoke. Domestic issues that are not noted on the show are explored here as issues that are not addressed in reality,  and the imagined aggression between the participants can indicate the lengths of how these circumstances are addressed at home, backstage.

Susan Hillar and my forthcoming performance

I was just writing a couple of sentences that i will be using on Wednesday as part of a performance and i realised how much the Susan Hiller exhibition has effected my work and thought processes. I was thinking about the Jeremy Kyle show and all of the crazy situations the contestants are in when they get there. We  (When i say we, i mean the majority) imagine, as the viewer, that we are the 'The type' that would not be a custom to these bad situations- however it is probably more the case that we just wish not to advertise in this way. The Punch and Judy piece by Susan Hiller is a thought provoking and disturbing installation built up from the 'Punch and Judy' shows that litter the countries seaside. It builds up the image of violence and sounds of screams from the shows, but it is quite obvious (unlike watching a 'funny' seaside show) that there is domestic violence going on. How does this relate to your work?! I hear you say... well.
I was thinking of less obvious ways of using the title bands in the Jeremy Kyle shows, and decided i should use mundane sentences, like 'i fell over and broke my foot'- however this wasn't really saying anything and Jeremy Kyle titles are always more directional and abusive so i decided to think about things that were less directional but in everyday circumstances could be taken out of perspective to create an argument. Hopefully, the titles i will use on Wednesday will have the same subtlety that Hiller's work has in showing the gap between the Kyle 'contestants' and themselves. In the fact that we are all only human, and these bad situations could in some ways be better let out on the kyle show as opposed to being Britishly hidden- If not only for the limeted aftercare of the show.

Jeremy

Dr who: Gridlock scene 3

This Episode of Dr Who has been challenging my brain for the last month or so. I had a dream in which it came to me that this episode was significant in some way to my work- however now I'm just thinking it was a mix sleep deprivation and watching too much Dr Who. However, without undermining my argument for the relevance of Dr Who on my work- I have watched a lot of it this year and it is hard not to think about scenes, such as this one, where the main characters are offered emotion as drugs. The Drug aspect obviously being denoted as a bad thing, but maybe more tempting as an emotion. It kind of symbolises to me that emotion is dangerous.
I am becoming more and more intrigued with Dr Who as the 6th series it to be unfolded, as to its popularity as well as its cultural references. Without sounding like too much of a geek- Dr Who references the Lion King in the first episode of series two when he regenerates and has to talk himself out of a tricky situation. I think it is little things like this that make the show so popular and so easy to watch. Even though he visits a different world every week- there is always a link back to the 'human'- emotion, empathy etc. Basically, a common ground that anyone can relate to. I think this is a great skill of the writers at the BBC- as i start to buy more and more DVDs i realise that the majority of them are BBC series' or films. I tend to find that they are not shocking, disturbing, or anything that is 'too much' for anyone- but entertaining to the majority in a informing and original way. Therefore DR Who is appropriate to my work in a big way- in the wanting to appeal to everyone in an entertaining way.

Blackpool

I  finally made the trip to Blackpool happen! (Thanks to the financial support and the driving capabilities of Nick)
The reason why i felt i needed to go to Blackpool before i started work on my end of year show started to become blurred a couple of weeks ago, mainly because my lack of memory- however the crooked house concept has really stuck in my mind for a year now, and as the ideas for what i am planning to do take shape in my mind, the crooked house is still a reference that i can't ignore- as well as some of the influencial DVDs i have been watching in the past months. One of them of course being 'Blackpool'. I know that this is or was the main reason for going and i think it has only just occurred to me now how everything links.

'Blackpool' is a series that somewhat puts Blackpool in quite a magical light- the fun of singing and dancing in brightly coloured spaces, but the darkness slowly seeps into the fun and characters that you think are 'what you see is what you get' become the most interesting and complex. The interest and link to my work in this context being the complexity of stereotypes. The second link to connect the crooked house is the 'real estate' angle that is a big theme throughout the series. Wanting to extend an empire at all costs to reputation and family to build a reputation and provide for a family. It is all a big crooked game based on gambling. I think this is why i wanted to go to Blackpool- just to break the myth that i have built in my own mind from this series that Blackpool is actually a fun and colourful place to be.

I did break that myth. On entering Blackpool by road you are led to the promenade from the motorway by a tree lined road- you're not allowed to see the residential space behind the trees, this is something that the council have obviously decided to leave to rot while they 'do up' the tower again. Between the gaps in the blossoming trees there are a lines of 20's terraced houses, cracked pavements and rusty cars. Led into the main town, you can see that this should be and was a place packed with people, but this time of year it is very empty, most shops are boarded up and the ones that are open, have only just brushed the cobwebs away for tourist season. As i mentioned, the Blackpool tower is being renovated, as with much of the golden mile. The trams aren't running and the north pier is pretty much closed, which is unfortunate because this is the one i was most interested in, as it is the most charming and has the least amusements. The closure of the trams means that you have to walk the stretch of the mile to get to each entertainment centre and in turn you get to see the joy of what is the middle of the 'Golden Mile'. We passed about 10-15 hotels plonked in the middle of the mile either closed or 'vacant', again this could be because we are not in high season, but it didn't look like healthy business.
I'm not suggesting at all that The Blackpool Tower should be forgotten either- the Tourist trade seems to be the only trade of Blackpool, and from images i have seen of the Blackpool Ballroom and other places like the Winter Gardens, yes, this should all be renovated because it is beautiful. However, there is definitely an un-even distribution in the town of where money is spent and maybe giving the town a little more trade than gambling and Ferris wheels would be a help.

We took Charlotte with us, and she really led the trip- spending a whole day at the pleasure park so she could go on 'The big one'- namely one of the highest and fastest roller coasters in Europe. You wouldn't have thought it though, because Que times were very short. Maybe 10mins max to get on any of the big roller coasters. It probably made it the most relaxing trip to a theme park I've ever been to, not having to stand in a line for 3 hours just so you can witness the fear of falling over the edge- but on the other hand you still didn't escape the amusements being in the park- Although going on the rides was fun it was always in the back of Charlotte's mind that she wanted to go on those Teddy grabbers.

Back to the note about Crooked houses, there were quite a few in the park, one called 'impossible which was a 'project' by a guy called something Mercer- interesting to think that a theme park ride could be  a project- but anyway, this had the classic ride inside where you feel like the room is turning upside down- in a way it is, but you are also being revolved half way. There were also a lot of Op-art on the wall in large tacky frames- like Escher and the Bridget Riley. This was more of a bizarre house than a crooked one, however there was an 'Alice in Wonderland' ride that full-filled my expectations of a crooked house. A ride completed in 1962- this ride consists of Cheshire cat cars and an odd journey into a massive concrete castle full of elements of the book- however everything is painted in neon paint, although Alice in Wonderland is a bizarre book anyway, this is something else- too much for you to take in at once- visually it was mind blowing and i think i would have preferred to have just walked round at my own pace.

    The crooked house is fun and intriguing but always sinister. It plays on ugliness and the grotesque to make children laugh and for all extent purposes is wrong but still amusing- In the same way that arcades are immoral with their advertising. The soft toy machines that are purposely built for children to loose their money, yet children still love them. Blackpool is a crooked place, and although everything is wrong, i still thoroughly enjoyed myself. Now i just want to go back to see more.

Psychic Sarah, we meet again. I knew we would...

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Dancing in their Footsteps Success!

The play went really well today so a big congratulations to the entire cast. There were moments where I felt like it wasn’t going to go well (for example, when I was asked to find a very specific type of coat for one of the scenes yesterday) but luckily all of the problems seemed to dissolve. My Nan stayed at my house last night so she could get to the play today without so much trouble; however i think I underestimated how difficult it would be to get my Nan to mine. There were a lot of steps that I didn’t realise were there. We had a fun evening though, and luckily it was sunny so my Nan didn’t have to see how dismal our flat looks when it’s not sunny.

On arrival to the theatre in the morning I was apprehensive about the stage, it had a capacity of 290 i think and we were told it would be full up. We had also been told that we would be on a very large dance stage; in my worst imagination i had thoughts of having to run back and forth across the stage to place chairs and falling over. Chairs’ obviously not being the most important issue- but it was in my Job description, so I had the right to be cautious. Also, this stage meant that it would be impossible for me and Olivia to sit off stage- A professional theatre as opposed to a little studio downstairs. My Nan enjoyed the thought of performing on an international dance stage though; we had stories all Saturday and Sunday when she met up with the other older people about how in the old days they had been all over the world to perform in big theatres. Once John Major came to see them! I think there was a little disappointment last year that they wouldn’t be acting in the main theatre.

The Laban building was incredible- apparently designed by the same person that designed the Tate Modern- the closer you walked towards the building the more it started to blend into the skyline and the foreground was covered in strangely shaped hills that dance students were running up and down gracefully, the surface of the building seems to be covered in a strangely coloured blue/green plastic that is almost lenticula when you look at it. Malcolm said that it was nicknamed Teletubby land, but this was something else, definitely worth a look if you are around Deptford.

But yes, the play went really well, all of the que’s were followed correctly and despite not being able to view it from the front there was defiantly a lot more energy in the performance than had been in any rehearsals. I think the audience really enjoyed it too- there was an astounding amount of laughter coming from the audience- even at points where we didn’t anticipate it. The was also a lot of applause after our bad manners scene; mainly because Jean- one of our older actresses had to pogo with a lot of teens for about 5 minutes straight!

we have been told that the performance will be repeated in the near future at our regular place in Blackheath (The Bakehouse Theatre) I can't wait to see everyone again. I am definately going to miss rehursals on a saturday morning now it's all over.

Dancing in their footsteps tomorrow!

The intergenerational production of ‘Dancing in Their Footsteps’  will be taking place tomorrow at the Leban Theatre at Creekside in Deptford. Please come along, the play is part of the ‘Age to Age’, Lewisham’s first intergenerational festival and it is free. It is a very light hearted play about the reminiscences of the cast; from young to old- it also has an eclectic soundtrack!

Cheers!

'Age to Age' Seminar on Reminissance Theatre

An interesting part of today's seminar i felt was the highlight upon the ethical jurisdiction  that the programme managers put upon themselves when working with different age groups. throughout today's workshops there was a strong emphasis on the ethical boundaries that should always be apparent in this type of work. David (Savill) even made a clear point that in 1998 the company (Age Exchange) refused to work anymore with venerable elders without having their carers present and working with the programme.  He said that it was irresponsible to raise the hopes of theses people, only to then leave them where they first left off when the funding runs out.  I am in total agreement with this and from an artistic perspective i have a great respect for an artistic director to admit responsibility and keep it as a work ethic. At college i feel that this is something that is constantly challenged and questioned- why i have such a strong ethical boundary to keep 'the people who i work with' away from 'my work' - As it was described today in the context of recording and making a play out of memories (which i believe to be a very apt description) is - I come to listen to you and your memories and i make work. But the work is an outcome. You always come first.

I must say, without getting to soppy, it was a really enlightening experience today to be surrounded by people who really believe in and want to do 'good' for venerable people- but not in a patronising way, a way in which every participant is treated as an individual. There was a lady helping to run the seminar today called Susan Langford who spoke today about her processes into creating 'Magicme'- which has been running now for 20 years creating intergenerational projects across the country, she was actually awarded an MBE for all of her work- a lady to look up to.

One new programme that Magicme is running at the moment is called 'cocktails in carehomes'- which is exactly what it says on the tin. What a fabulous idea, who wouldn't enjoy that concept? I would really like to go along to one- its not just entertainment for old people which you would appropriate with an ordinary carehome project, it is a fun atmosphere where older people can reminisce and communicate with volunteers of all ages who also enjoy themselves.

I think today's emphasis of having fun in intergenerational work has totally won me over. There is no way i could fault any  of the company's that were running the seminar.

Last Rehersal & Art

It was our las rehersal today for Dancing in thier footsteps- and to be honest it went swimmingly well- we ran through twice with no problems at all- which is either really good (which it would seem) or really bad (in my negativity i imagine that because it went so well, people are not going to rehearse) also, i found out that it is bad luck to read the last line of a play in a performance. To be honest, that is quite rediculas, otherwise how would anyone ever be able to practise thier lines? I think Malcolm was relieved about the rehurseal today as Saturdays had gone a little belly up- one of the main characters couldn't make it and i had to stand in whilst doing the chairs at the same time. Its fine when Olivia is there- as a trained actress, she has the ability to read a script and not laugh after every line. Its a shambles when i do it.

After rehursal i went off to meet Joe for our second gallery trip of the week. We laughed about finally turning into real art students that actually enjoy going to gallerys in our spare time. We headed up to The White Cube in Masons Yard for a nice private view 'New order'- with promises of free Peroni. the exhibition was ok. I found a couple of pieces of work a little too overdone for the sensitive issues that they were talking about. For example, one artist had constructed sculptures out of furniature- to symbolise the 'silent witness' it is to what happens in war ridden or chaotic places. I liked the idea and the cupboards were aesthetically nice, but it did seem like they had only been constructed horizontally so they would fit in a space. I could be wrong, but the craftmanship, i feel, over-shadowed the point that the artist was trying to make. One piece i found interesting was Miroslaw Balka's 'Kategorie',  a large cold concerete tunnel, subtley lit, and as you trvelled through you had to avoid delicate threads hanging from the ceiling of the tunnel, slowley revolving. as you walked through you felt concerned that you would break the thread and as it reached the floor it gradually dissapeared to the floor. Each thread was a different colour- each one symbolising the different uniforms prisoners in the Polish concentration camps. It reminded me a lot of the cold schitzophrenic structure of the Berlin Jewish Museum which makes you feel physically sick through navigation of space, but in a way  this piece removed  you from the sickening realities of the holocaust and made you think more specifically about the individuals that would have been victimised. Most definately the highlight of the show.

The second trip we made this evening was up to Bethnal Green to the Vyner street galleries. Being 'First Thursday' night, it was absolutely packed in every space down Vyner Street- and the specific exhibition which we came to see (Structure) was bursting by the seams. Structure is an exhibition that is being held at the moment by a couple of 2nd year BA students from Havering college. It is quite impressive  of the students from the course to get a venue like this, just for an ordinary show(Not to sound patronising, but it is a lot easier for 2nd year students based in London to find a space in london, than those based in a college outside), and they managed to get a big following down as well.  I like to keep up to date with what the college are getting up to- the foundation i was on at Havering was great and the Tutors there are very keen for the BA to come up to the same standard, and baring in mind that it is only in its fourth year, i think it is certainly making its way in the art world.

The show itself was what i was expecting, to be honest, a lot of print and paintings and a couple of videos. The space itself was broken up quite nicely but as there were so many people i found it difficult to look at work in any detail. I think the best work in this show was a painting of a building, it was a high rise concerete block but the centre image was surrounded by gold leaf which gace the painting a really uplifting feel. Unfortunately i couldn't get close enough to see who had painted it or a title even- but this is the one that i found most interesting. There was also a video that was rather creepy with a child whispering on it. Sadley i think my attention was drawn to it because it reminded me of an episode of Dr Who where a child keeps whispering 'are you my mummy' whilst its head has been merged to a gas mask- but anyway, yes, this did keep my attention for a while.

Outside there was some performance art going on, not really my cup of tea. A friend described it as a performance that was supposed to be amusing, the performers covered in sheets and/or newspapers chanting and ringing bells. I personally thought it was more embaressing than funny and a bit boreing to watch, and as they walked towards a car that was trying to drive down the road the performers seemed to become very confrontational, inching the car back as they walked towards it. The driver obviously didn't know what was going on and was worried about running into them. The performers on the other hand i think wanted to make a statement for statements sake. The crowds were a little too much for me, maybe i'm getting old, but people are just becoming ruder and ruder, and no one has any spacial awareness. I think i'm starting to get more and more claustraphobic around people. I may need to sort myself out before i stop leaving the house!