Day 2: No performance: Joe's video diary

 

Day 1: No Performance in Norway

Yesterday was our first performance day in Norway. It started with an Edwardian tour around Trondheim, we have seen 'the main' tourist attraction in Trondheim, a cycle lift up a steep hill- while we were there we actually managed to run into a very large group of Italian tourists also looking at the lift. I cant say that this has confirmed that the cycle lift has the most visitors out of all those that come to Norway, but we did not see another group like this anywhere else in the city and the cycle lift was closed due to maintenance.
Obviously we had been dressed as Edwardian's all day, it hasn't gone un-noticed on our tour, although nobody has said anything, other than, that really suits you.
We also tasted 'brunost' which is a brown Norwegian cheese and had waffles with sour cream and jam. The waffles were very tasty.
I think the main event for us yesterday was staying up very late to witness the sunset and sunrise without it going out of view at about 3am it was as light as day. This is when we made our first piece of work, by the fjord, an adaptation of what we 'believe' Edwardians would do if they had encountered the fjord as we had, of course in true stereotype fashion.

The Ties That Bind

The AgeExchange performance will be called: 'The Ties That Bind'

It is a performance based around memories of the cross generational cast and will involve story telling, singing and dancing and more from a very talented group of performers!

The Performances will be at The Lewisham Theatre, London on Thursday 22nd July at 3.30pm and 6pm.

Order your tickets now from the Lewisham Theatre website!

thegalleryistalking- getting ready for the launch

I'm slightly apprehensive about the launch of thegalleryistalking (A project raising issues around dyslexia and the gallery space between Tate Britain and Chelsea College of Art and Design BA Fine Art) there are many maps to be made and things to arrange. I am starting to feel as if i have taken a little too much on. I have also recently found out that not only will i have to be at the Tate Britain as early in the morning as i can but i also have an important rehearsal to attend with AgeExchange on the same date, from 10am until 4pm, and as i am only getting back from Norway on the Wednesday before, I'm a bit concerned about when i will have time to eat sleep and live from Thursday until the end of Saturday. O dear.

Nolga Nolga!

As Joe and I (The 'No' collective) prepare for our vacation to Norway, we wonder on the stereotype of a Norwegian. What to expect when we get there, and what we have learned about Norway from our very good friend Ellie with whom we are to stay with (We have learned very little, other than some choice phrases).
On wondering this, we also wonder what Norwegians expect of the English when they visit here, or indeed when we visit Norway. We are a very ambiguous nation.
When we think of Norway, it is quite difficult to place an image of what a Norwegian looks like or behaves like, I think the closest i can think of is that Swedish people are stereotypically blond and live in houses like ikea, however that is not Norway. There are beautiful natural landforms in Norway, i learned that in A level geography, however i can think of a single time in schooling that i have learned about the Norwegian culture.
Thus the aim to go and 'learn' about Norway, while at the same time 'teaching' our own stereotypes. Everyday we are in Norway we will dress and act (to the best of our ability) as an English stereotype, produce artwork as that stereotype, and talk to people about what we are doing.
We have chosen our stereotypes, they will be: Chav, Cricketers, English Gentry (Hunter type), Country Bumkin and Edwardian.
This of course was a difficult decision to make, however we feel as if we have the most diverse stereotypes as possible.

ICT PE

ICT PE went well, maybe not as many people as i would have liked to have taken part- however i think that those who did participate enjoyed themselves. I think it just goes to show how advertising is so crucial in a practise like mine. I've always had quite a brash approach to my work and i think maybe this is something that has always worked in my favour. I tell friends and family to some, and the majority of the time they do. However, when it comes to others, maybe fellow students or the public it is quite a different story. Perhaps there is a level of intimidation because i do bring my family or people that are not necessarily interested in art to these college events? Maybe this is something that i should think about? Does this make my work less mature or less fashionable or quaint? Or is it just a style of my practice? I enjoy bringing others into my practise that would not often participate or think of art in this way. Maybe widening participation has to have a level of quaintness to appeal to the 'normal people'?

Anyway,...When i actually had the initial ideas for this piece of work i somewhat imagined a lot more rebellion to actually join in with it, but i didn't receive any, so i am quite shocked (I'm not sure if i am relieved) People seemed quite willing to conform and there wasn't any tension in the lessons. I thought PE wouldn't go down too well in an art college, perhaps i was just stereotyping? I was very worn out after though!

The Ties that Bind- Stage Manager

I have just been asked to be the Stage Manager for 'The Ties that Bind' which is excellent news! I knew that i would have some part to play within the production, however i was convinced that i was going to be made to act (Which, although i perform, my acting skills are about as convincing as a doughnut disguised as a fruitcake). I'm not too sure what is involved as of yet, but i am really excited to be involved in such an organisational way, especially in a project that is so different.