A very unexpected weekend……I was on my way to the Quarry (Helsby Quarry) to take some piccys and to excavate a sample or two of possible materials. As I turned the corner I noticed that one of the properties was having some building work, as it was Sunday so there were no workmen around.
As Helsby Hill rises some of the houses are built into the rock and the building work had exposed a wall of Strata…….YUMMY!!!!! So with camera in hand I begin to snap away outside the property boundary. To my surprise a wee head popped out of a downstairs window and asked “how I was enjoying the Strata???” And before I knew what was happening of I go, explaining how I am a local Potter looking at using some local materials in my work and would they mind awfully if I had a wee dig and took a sample or two of the exposed rock. Help yourself was the reply, so excavating I went.
The closer I looked at the rock the more detail you begin to notice, the finest threads of different colours winding through the face, just beautiful. Though what they are ??? More research into the Quarry and it’s history is needed. Leaving with several small pots filled with, what looks mostly like sandstone, it feels like the adventure has begun.
On Tuesday we had a talk from Kevin Hunt, a Sculptor and Curator.
The images of his own work that he showed where not so inspiring, though looking on his web site there were things that did interest me. The columns and use of totems within environments, made from the everyday, how something so mundane can take on a whole new meaning by some very simple manipulation.
But it was his curatorial ideas that I connected with more. To define a space, place items, objects within it and then to invite the public into that space. Giving them some basic instructions and letting them create and alter the architecture of the space. Thus allowing the sculpture to develop and inhabit the space.
Kevin Hunt, Empty Space (detail 1), wood soaked in ink. Courtesy the artist and Kettle’s Yard. (Contemporary Art Society)
I particularly felt that this idea could be translated into a project for the Health and Wellbeing group. To allow people to express themselves without the boundaries of failure. To let go of the everyday shit and to be fully absorbed into something that they would never have imagined, very exciting. Visit his website here.
This was followed by our seminar with Dr Jane Webb ( Director of Studies: Design)
“Ways of observing, exploring, designing and reflecting”
The seminar was an exploration into how we document and to explore with both visuals and text, to try and get us to think in a broader context. The way that Jane lectures was very accessible, in terms of language used and the visuals that supported the lecture. Truly inspirational, to be exposed to ideas around process, how to connect process with the ideas.
It began by looking at collage as a way of recording and then onto how the ‘Artist’ used the media. We also covered drawing, photography and ethnography. I am a little in love with the idea of being a ‘Flaneurs’ a city stroller that wonders through society, accessing all areas, recording modern life and yet not being effected by it’s grubby undercurrents.
We then went to the library to examine some of the items from the ‘Special Collections’. The archive includes major collections of objects and books, some of which were collected when the Manchester School of Art was created in 1838. As well as historical pieces there is a collection of contemporary work .Visit the website here.
On Wednesday I had my Ceramic Workshop Induction…………YIPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!! At last I can now officially get my hands dirty. Now week 7, I initially felt that I had to wait to long for the induction to happen. But actually in all honesty I think that making would only have distracted me from getting to grips with what the MA is and what it means to me. But I am not convinced that it is up to us as individuals to push for Inductions, they should sit as part of the first project………Rolling up me sleeves and purchasing me clay as we speak.
Happy as a Pig in mud …….. 
Thursday was PECHA KUCHA Day……… Fortunately for me it was for Full time and 2nd year Part Time MA’ers, so I was part of the supporting audience. It was really very interesting; I have never been presented with this form of presenting at all. PechaKucha or Pecha Kucha (Japanese: ペチャクチャ, IPA: [petɕa ku͍̥tɕa], chit-chat) is a presentation style in which 20 slides are shown for 20 seconds each (6 minutes and 40 seconds in total). The format, keeps presentations concise and fast-paced.
This was really the first time that we had an opportunity to see fellow students work and understand a little about their thinking and practice. It was a mixed bag of subjects, thoughts, ideas, materials, research and creativeness. Some presentations were a real eye opener; some people were very brave and honest about themselves and their work. Some cast new light on a topic or were looking from a different perspective. They were mostly very inspirational and actually I would think that it was a process that really helped to focus your ideas and thoughts………maybe I should go through the process myself, I think that it may help me clarify some ideas.
Bev Sommerville Ceramics 