She discussed how she had developed herself as a practitioner and her explorations into public art and what exactly it meant to her.
She talked of how she was interested in the land and the value of this inherit place, she wanted to open places up and bring people into it and get them to think about the place they live and the cities around us.
She had become very interested in public art, not just creating it but also becoming part of a team to bring other people in to do the same and making use of unused spaces.
She participated in a project based in Digbeth, Birmingham. It was an industrial site with many empty warehouses some worse for wear. But that they wanted to make use of this space and keep it alive. They had invited people in to get ideas of how to use this space. As they came up with these ideas they allowed urban growing to commence their, people were able to buy moveable bays where they could grow, renting them out for £100 a year, it created a community as well as giving some more funding towards making this space more attractive to the local community. They held a fayre to try and advertise these spaces, and hire them out now for contracts that last from days to months. This flexibility makes these spaces more appealing to possible letters. A number of people now use this site and its not 90% full. Its a project that they continue together as a team, holding regular meetings to keep programmes organised and establish more. The work they did brought value back to this space and created a whole new community.
Ball has also worked in Leeds, she had been approached by the council to make Light Neville Street more welcoming to walk through, it was described as a noisy, dingy, dark place that staff on the south side didn't want to walk through. She explained that she didn't feel up to doing this herself and wanted to bring someone in on this project with her, so called up the help of Hans Peter Kuhn, who she had noted to have a good understanding of public and industrial spaces and would be able to approach this in a mature and effective way. Being a sound artist she knew he would also be able to help with the noise issue. This was what they came up with.
The walls act as a buffer to hold the noise, as well as holding LED lights that change once a day, bring variety and light into this dark tunnel. In this tunnel a range of frequencies are also played that blend in with the sound of the traffic and the trains so that those sounds don't appear as strong, sudden or abrupt.
Ball had also been a part of Expo Leeds 09, a 3 day arts and experimental music festival where she worked alongside Christina Kubisch, Matt Davis and Tom Betts.
Matt Davis had produced a piece consisting of 4 tapes looping the sound of piano strings, people were able to communicate with the pieces themselves and it actively got people involved.
She discussed how sound can play a huge importance when it comes to space; sound re-conceptualizes how we feel and relate to a space.
Not only did she cover her own achievements but also spoke of things that we should bare in mind as practioners. When we leave university we will have little or no support and that it is important to give yourself time to reflect upon your practice and what you want to do. Never be afraid to say no to a job opportunity if its not what you want. Challenge yourself and refresh your practice.
I had found this conference very useful, it allowed me to see that after university there is a whole world of opportunities and pathways I could take even if I change my mind. I can be a part of something even if I don't create something, a comforting thought.
You have written an interesting post from a critical perspective. You've added your own opinion which is great. I didn't know who'd created the light display on Nevillle street, so it was good to finally find that out
ReplyDelete