Evaluation

 Nottingham castle project  

As a studio group we were once again given the opportunity to create work in response to Nottingham castles art collection/ grounds and show it there. This was a optional opportunity which I chose to take part in, with the nature of the castle grounds, its history and vast art collections why wouldn't you take up this highly beneficial opportunity. Showing at the castle this time did differ slightly from our previous show last year as this time there wasn't a particularly designated space, the work would be shown through VR, there was a possibility of physically showing work in situe but this all depended on conversations and variables. Work for this project began a while ago, whilst I was still working on my previous shit stories project, however the work wouldn't be shown until recently, well after the finishing of my FMP, hence the need for the extra mirror installation in stony st to tie all the work together cohesively. 

When creating work for this piece I went to the castle to film my work on site, writing on bathroom mirrors. At the point of creating this work I was coming of the back of the shit stories project, a project about sharing in stories and traumas. As the castle is a family friendly venue I knew I would most likely need to adapt this, I researched different historical events that were somehow tied to the castle, looking for something that both felt applicable to my project at the time and the castle. I came across an old article about the women's suffrage in Nottingham, this article fit both these aspects. Historic Women's suffrage and in turn the suffragette movement, this was a traumatic and shit story, women lost their lives fighting in this movement. Within the article I found direct links to both Nottingham castle and the Nottingham community, Taking the quote "There is not so rough and brutal a lot as the Nottingham mob in all England. Well can we remember the past - the burning of the castle - the attack upon private houses." This is a quote from 1868 by Louisa Stanly, the wife of the MP for Nottingham. I decided this quote was the perfect text to use for the mirror writing within the castle, it was clean in nature but still emotive and powerful. 

When thinking about how this exhibition could look on VR I was particularly apprehensive. We were working with another tutor Kate Whyles who was proficient in the knowledge and software to create this digital exhibition.  I did think the possibility of using technology in a way to create a digital exhibition was particularly interesting, I was more so worried about the AI aspect. I belive now that AI has been created we should use it, however I belive that it has particular places it should and shouldn't be used, I find it hard to justify the use of AI in creative work. I was pleased to find out that AI wasn't a huge part of this process, more so used to decorate home screens, it did look good but I think id still prefer to use graphics and images rather than generated ai media. Although I just took a big hate on AI, I should clarify that does not mean I didn't like the digital show that was put together. I think this type of digital curation has a huge role in the future of viewing arts, it can act as a new way to make the arts accessible to all. This was very interesting, I liked the way it all links around the places, you are taken on a journey. 

I was back in Berlin for the actual days of castle show so was unable to attend or set up my work. Before I left I had multiple conversations with classmates and my tutor, I wanted to try and find a solution that meant I would still be able to be involved. Most of the digital stuff was all good as it was already set up with Kate however, We had previously had it approved by the castle to have a physical installation in one of the bathrooms with the quote written on the mirror. This was a bit of a stress but I was able to sort it, Yang volunteered to write it for me so my work could still be involved. I wrote out the text and some very brief instructions and gave them her before I left. I wasn't able to experience the day first hand however the digital exhibition still meant I was able to see the work in situe, like I said, making it accessible for all. I Also sent my sister and a few friends to go see the exhibition on the day even though I couldn't, so received may photos of everyone's work.  

To say this piece was optional I am very pleased with how far I pushed it and what I produced, when you pair this with the mirror piece in stony st, the original site specific work at the castle, my repeat video, the research into both historical events and artist research on Sophie Calle, I belive it makes its own project, not just an extension of other work. I think the use of technology in the vr aspect was actually very cool and something that was completely new to me, and I was happy with how little Ai was used. The only downside was that I was unable to be present on the day and help out setting up and manning the event. 

https://www.thinglink.com/scene/1984690550992798182  - Link to digital exhibition