EMMA: New Ground

making things in collaboration

Gathering the necessary materials for my set construction, I am so completely aware of being out of my element, in new territory. I need the right tools, need a design that will work, along with the wood, doors, screws, hinges, glue, paint to bring it all together. I am also reminded of the hidden art/craft of even the most mundane of buildings. The ammount of expertise required to make sure the electricity, or plumbing works is awe inspiring to me. I know I'm going to have a real interesting time trying to hang the door. It seems as if it should be easy, but I know better.

This is a project I wouldn't have been able to actualize in New York City, within the circumstances of my life there, so I feel as if I'm making progress in this way. The searching for and compiling of materials has taken a great deal of time, of course. And I'll be able to finish a basic prototype later tonight. However, as I do have a sense of accomplishment, I have a sense of displaced priorities, on my part. I should be working on the jitter patches. That work doesn't come together as easily as wood and nails.

I also am reminded of how much time and effort and choice goes into making any work. An edited video, a succinct piece of choreography, a jitter patch, a good dinner - and how a 10 week time-based class in the university setting is somehow anathema to the completion of a collaborative work of art. However, in another situation, there would be the deadline of the opening night. The resource of space, even if the time element is necessarily conscripted, and the opportunity to explore different ways and means of doing things, in a, dare I use "safe" environment, makes the work worthwhile, in my estimation.

posted by Peter @ 4:51 PM