It might be about Water!

Today I was walking in the woods near the house, thinking about the forest as a potential theme. Then 'water' came to my mind. If I think of the string pictures, images or creative outcomes that I have produced so far, most of my favourite have something to do with water. And even the last polaroids that I took and particularly like, all include water.

The idea of working on 'water' has been in my head for a while. And it would particularly suit the use of cyanotypes (for obvious association with the blue colour).

So, here a few keywords, just to start brainstorming:

water
tides
blue
waves
stillness
sea
lochs
fluctuating
deep
breathing
drawning
mythical creatures living in water
sacred water
safe water
dangerous water
drops
tears
letting go
becoming
fluidity
...

Possible title that just came up to my mind
Aqua - Uisge
This title would use Latin and Scottish Gaelic: my own cultural past and the one of the place in which I live
A possible sub-title could be:
Watery Dreamscapes in Caledonia
But I am not sure a want to use a geograhical specification

Have a look at:
watery landscapes in Max Ernst's Femme 100 tetes and Une Semaine de Baute'

Research:
local myths about water
water creatures in Scottish tradition (not Nessie!)
ancient sacred rites connected to water
water landscapes considered sacred in the past

Potential themes for discussion:
sacrality and preservation of the environment
art and preservation of the environment
art as a tool for reflection
art and myths

Back at Work

After a busy summer working with students and marking, I am back at work for my exhibition. During summer I have taken notes and drafted and sketched ideas. I have also refined the aims of this specific exhibition and considered opportunities for the future development of this project. So, to summarise my thoughts: The November exhibition will be inspired to and focused on two myths: Asharays and Ceasg (or Maighdean Mhara). The techniques that I will use are: instant photography, cyanotype on fabric, digital collage. Lead installations will be part of the exhibitions. Texts (possibly on screen)

Just to get started

Here I am, at the kitchen table drinking my morning coffee and having a go at this reflective journal. An experiment. To test myself and see if keeping a reflective diary can really benefit my work and give a positive input to my practice. Keeping a reflective blog is what I ask my students to do when developing their research projects. So, why not do it myself at the beginning of a new project? I will ask myself the three main questions that I ask my students to ask themselves to become reflective practitioners: Why do I work in the way I do? How do I develop solutions to creative problems? How does my work relate to other, current activity in my field? Now that the first post is written, it's just a matter of keeping going...

Scottish water mythical presences 1

Here the preliminary results of a web search about Scottish water mythology: Ashrays (or Water Lovers) These are translucent nocturnal water creatures, both males and females. They live under water and are often mistaken for sea ghosts. The legend says that if they are captured and exposed to sunlight ashrays melt and only a puddle of water remains. Keywords: nocturnal translucent melting puddle Blue men of the Minch They supernatural sea creatures that are believed were to live in underwater caves in the Minch straight. They are represented as humans with blue skins and are believed to be related to mermen. Legends say that they used to swim alongside passing ships, and attempting to wreck them by conjuring storms and by luring sailors into the water. "If a captain wanted to save his ship he had to finish their rhymes and solve their riddles, and always make sure he got the last word." Keywords: blue skin rhymes Statue of the Selkie. By Siegfried Rabanser -...

Thinking, Breathing, Exploring, Creating

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