Arts Award Part B

Part B : Arts event
For my Arts Award part B, where I have to be an auidnece member and review and share my experience, I chose the Harris Epaminonda exhibit at Site Gallery. As when we were first introduced to the art with an immense racket of drills and hammers ruining the atmosphere of enchantment I needed to go and spend some more time with it.

At first glance the exhibit seemed dull and boring but upon my second visit I felt the true nature of the work was revealed. During the silence of the gallery, a distant symphony of mystical music flowed from hidden speakers. This coupled with the real time silent movies from Cyprus demanded my complete transfixion on the piece.

The way the films contrast the silence (circuses parading unhappy animals and cars dragging trees) really creates an outer body atmosphere like a dream. The best piece was the circus scene which was inside an isolated gallery of complete silence. The generally ecstatic environment of a circus is contrasted by the silence. Getting you to focus on the misery of the animals performing.

Many pieces of art are great because they make you think, but this one is great because it doesn't. It’s a subconscious experience that’s more about feeling than a difficult answer.

The lack of sound and light focuses you on the art. The only thing you see, the only thing you can picture in your mind. All is emptied out except for the seemingly eternal film, transforming you to a zombie like state in which an hour becomes 30 seconds. Truly mesmerizing.

Day 5 ?!

The time has come. The time to step out into the real world and put my idea into practice. We me Harriet and set forth into the city centre to interview the unsuspecting citizens. GIANTS! GIANTS! We hadn't gone past the peace gardens yet and the first people we meet are GIANTS! Obviously these giants were actually 'normal' people on stilts working for the new co-op but they were still very tall with awesome shoes. After the longest interview today we managed to escape and head up towards Division Street where we entered the winners of the Billy Ellerby Award for friendliest shop in the city awarded to Rocky Horrors. There we had a 'hell-arious' time chatting to the employees who were more than happy having an interview and their pictures taken :) Then to freshmen's the coolest shop in Sheffield and just as willing to give an interview as Rocky's. For those who don't know, the place to shop if you love skate boarding is Slide. The guys there were so eager to give their opinions. After we'd hit the shops (for interviews of course) we split up and I went off to interview the randoms on the street. From old ladies to traffic wardens, cool kids and even a pigeon guy, they all were interested if not a little curious why I wanted to take pictures of their feet.

Day 4 ?!

Today we were independently working on Photoshop editing the footage we collected on Tuesday. Much fun was had creating my short film of Sheffield "Sheffield - the city of water" for our Passage of Time Emaninonda related project. Even though it has no audio yet it is still an accurate view of our city and the many water features around it. I also had a chat with Vicky (supervisor) about my project to make sure I was not biting off more than I can chew. XD Lol just had an awesome idea Calvin Harris Glasses!!! Any way erm i decided on a rollin film on peoples feet as they walk. Then I intend to interview every one I film and feature a quote from each at the end credits :)

Day 3 ?!

Oh what a wonderful Wednesday it was. The photos we took Monday were transformed into works of art as we ravaged them with Photoshop. Blue lips, fiery eyes, rainbow hair the list goes on. We used the days experiences to judge what we wanted to do as a project for the arts award. Photography, photo editing, filming, film editing, audio editing were just a few of the options. Personally I chose filming and possibly film editing.

Part A

Billy Ellerby Arts Award

Part A : Taking part in Arts

Within my time at the site gallery i will improve my film shooting/film editing capabilities because i feel it is a part of art i always wanted to try yet never had the chance. Also i feel it would be a challenge as i have never experienced film making before. By speaking to artists that use film and film makers I can find out areas i can improve on and what makes a good film. I will then produce my own small film, inspired by Rob and his work, in order to evidence and display what i have learned.

The top left image is me interviewing Rob Sparanza, a Film Producer working with the South Yorkshire Film Association. I chose to interview Rob after hearing him speak to the group about small films and how we could easily produce one. It stood out to me because the opportunity to express myself with limitless possibilities. The interview can be heard on CUBE radio. The image to the the right is me and Jesse practicing filming. Ben Moon (media artist) was also very helpful in guiding me through the camcorders and imovie (film editing software).

From these i have learnt that you don't always need to be planning to film something, sometimes you have to be opportunistic especially when filming real life. I also learnt the role of producer and their contribution to film and film making. The short film I have produced is also part of my Part D of my arts award and is posted under this section. My interview with Rob was also part of my Part C.

Day 2 ?!

2nd day. Although not a miserable as yesterday (speaking of the weather :D) today was a much more enjoyable experience in terms of creativity. The ideas were teaming. After a quick introduction we (me and Jessy) went to the photography studio to experiment with photos. Poses, partial photos, framing, zoom and more. I enjoyed this very much. We had a laugh and learnt a lot.

After this session we returned to the main studio for another intro this time about the art exhibition we will be seeing. An unusual and edgy display of soundless repeating short films of peculiar events from the artist’s (Haris Epaminonda) homeland of Cypress. It created a very surreal environment. Then we were given a talk through of the exhibition by the gallery curator, Jeanine Griffiths. She explained the exhibition and answered some of our questions. After the exhibition we returned to the main studio to meet Rob Speranza, a film producer, who let us watch his film - Into the woods - and gave us his experiences of creative media. We were also paid a visit from Richard Bolam, a time lapse artist who also showed us his time lapse films. Some nice ideas to think about there too.

After lunch we ventured out into the city centre armed with camcorders to try and capture our own miniature films showing the ‘passing of time’. In the winter gardens we filmed the water and the reflections from the windows. All was going 'swimmingly' until it started raining :( so we headed back. When we got back we uploaded our films so we can hopefully put them online. Wet and watery!

Day 1 ?!

SILENCE, a deathly silence befalls the waiting room as we await the late arrivers! Thankfully it is broken by Vicky, who will be our supervisor for the next two weeks. She takes us to the 3rd floor studio, a blanket of white. Still one down. Still we wonder. 30 minutes and a safety talk later, enlightened we are of the next two weeks.

Click click tick tick. My the mind wonders. 8 of us now. 8. We are given a tour of the dreaded mine field that is a Mac. The talk is long yet intriguing to us all. We are yet again enlightened to the concept of it all. A 2 week course of creation, imagination and thought.
All i had was Banoffee pie. Over and over again. Banoffee, banoffee, banoffee. But then inspiration. A shining light. It falls from the sky and in-beds itself in my cranium. There it plants its roots firm and deep. Growing, changing, evolving. Shoes with Shoes. Shoes on buildings. Shoes on ceilings. I can’t control the swelling. It’s beating its way down my neck and through my teeth.

I ask Lucy. What about shoes stuck to the wall of the cheese grater car park. The one in the town centre. The big silver one. I never quite got that building, i mean it’s different but something about it screams it’s trying too hard. Too hard to be seen. But something like a pair of Converse stuck to the wall could make it seem [or should i say scene] good ;)

Today was the first day of what is going to be a great two weeks of work experience. Already we've heard of a man who uses ELEPHANT POO! in his work from a talk with artist Lesley Guy and the mysterious art of face hiding. What a day ! What a week!? Hopefully!? Most definitely !