selling installation

One thing I wanted to add......................

I wont break up this installation, that was never my intention. It remains as a whole.

However, I would be happy to see it permanently installed in a reflective space, where one might quietly sit, think and be still for a while.
This could be a church, chapel, hospice.................who knows?

Should this be of interest, then contact me and we can discuss this or a possible site specific installation.

moving on

That's probably all the images I'll post for Sea Silks, the installation is there at Taigh Chearsabhagh, do go if you have a chance to see it. I hope it might tour.

It was a moving experience for me, both creating and installing. I've learned a great deal, some of it surprising. We don't always recognise who we are, do we?
I am indebted to all who had a hand in the making, thanks!
Also to Taigh Chearsabhagh in Lochmaddy for showing the work in such a wonderful venue. I'm pleased!

I'm now working on the research project with my colleague Dr Cathy Treadaway, from University of Wales, Cardiff. It's exciting. We find that our shared experience and memory impacts positively on our work, making the journey so enjoyable. Often words aren't needed.

Thank you for reading this blog of Sea Silks, it's been cathartic developing it.
Time to move on.

Alison 14th Feb 2009
ps. Happy Valentine's Day :)

more

installation

Looking at the images I took just before I left, I'm not a very good photographer, at least not for this. I should go back up again with a better camera, or a video might be better. They don't come close to capturing the experience of standing in the work, looking up at the gently rotating forms. That's why some are out of focus: they move! They're meant to move in the air currents. This lady seems to like it though?

some of the work of the installation

I took lots of photos of the installation, but I need to sort through them first.Here are a few to start with.

These small pieces were placed on plynths with suspended silk forms suspended just above them.

This was Andy's idea; it was really good to work with someone who understood what I was trying to convey with the work. Sometimes words just don't work in explanation, do they?

journey home

I'm skipping ahead now, the drive back was unbelievably beautiful. So white, so cold, so still, such empty roads! Aviemore was -18c. A bit worrying...........................but worth it. My windscreen skoosher froze and took about 3 hours to thaw out. I spent the night in Fort William then drove south again. (Did some essential shopping as well, that's Ben Nevis behind Morrisons)

The best sights were at Kintail but the only part of the views not white was the actual road itself, no place to stop or else I'd have been stuck in deep snow. So sadly, no photos!

installation

It's a beautiful building here at Taigh Chearsabhagh, very old, the sea laps the walls at high tide and the wind is constant.

For interesting background reading, go to the website
http://www.taigh-chearsabhagh.org.uk/

This is how we started. Andy MacKinnon, the Arts Officer, spent most of the week up scaffolding, suspending fine nylon threads, about 100 of them! I spent the week up a ladder, attaching the small silks, changing my mind, getting stiff shoulders. Took most of the week to finish.

I ran a couple of really interesting workshops with over 60's and primary 7 pupils from local schools, focusing on my inspirational sources of seaweed. They collaborated well, no fisty cuffs at all and produced beautiful artwork which hopefully will encourage them to go and look more closely at their own shorelines on Uist. My more than able assistant was Sarah MacIntyre. She runs children's workshops regularly at Taigh Chearsabhagh. I'm not sure what her correct title is; Education Officer probably. I hope her cold has gone, she bravely faced the freezing temperatures all week and was really supportive. Thanks Sarah :)

journey

The sail from Oban took 7.5 hours. I dozed. Stunning views, relatively mild on deck at night. This may be Coll or Tiree?

The scene which greeted me on daylight was this one, as I drove from South Uist up to Lochmaddy.

No mobile signal; nice prospect :)