I wanted to experiment with making video poetry this week. I used footage from a weekend walk – I was hoping that being in nature could bring some words into my mind, during a time where I have felt wordless.
Here are some video stills and photos – the video poem is to follow in my next post.
I found myself photographing the following recently:
Geometric lines
Abandoned and other buildings
Bridges
Columns
Bars and partitions
Palm trees
Shadows and patterns (recurring themes)
I felt like I was searching – it’s been a time of documentation and reflection to see what possibilities may arise.
I’m intrigued an almost neon palette has started to develop alongside more muted tones, and would like to explore this juxtaposition, and the potential narratives between the images.
There have been storms in the UK this week.
I created three sound sketches using recorded and digitally edited audio. I would also like to write spoken word poetry pieces in response to the emotions experienced, and experiment with combining sounds and words.
This week seemed to be about doubles for me, probably because I have had dreams consisting of two parts. Sometimes the order was undecipherable, as well as the plot. Nevertheless, I aimed to capture as much as possible by writing my dreams down as soon as I could.
Following on from the idea of duos, I wanted to create diptychs consisting of photography and poetry.
Other words which came to mind:
Two
Pairs
Counterpart
Duplicate
Stand-in
Match
Dual
Parallel
Reflection
Replica
Duet
Call and Response
Alter Ego
I also experimented with the following poetic devices:
Free verse
Echo verse
Diminishing verse
Photography and words – this week I have continued to explore poetic forms.
At present, I particularly like working with chance, found words, and experimental devices. I have realised that currently, I draw from a different place internally when writing poetry than to writing lyrics. I have been surprised by this, as previously it felt as if they derived from the same foundations. However, I know this can shift and change.
I’ve also been writing music ideas as part of a songwriting challenge, which has helped me to focus creatively as the winter transitions from hibernation.
Reflection on work created so far during the residency, has helped me see where I would like to develop ideas and themes.
Sometimes I look or listen out for the space and rhythm between things, especially when the days are darker and feel shorter in length.
This week I recorded ambient sounds, searched for textures and layers, and used the moments between seconds to be present.
I experimented with a variety of poetic forms to represent recent feelings, and picked three at random as a starting point for inspiration – a double acrostic, nonet, and triolet. These were composed in response to and in honour of this week’s photographs.
I was also reflecting on the images made last week – it was a process of finding and creating, which I enjoyed. When I look back at the photographs, they could appear to be muted or sombre. This also occurs in my music, where I can find catharsis in minor chords or raw lyrics on the realities of life.
This week I went looking for elements of fun when visiting Bristol. I found swings in a cafe with a window view – something unexpected and joyful.
I felt drawn to buildings with unusual shapes, or layers found in the cityscape. I was intrigued by the visual history of reflected surfaces, in contrast with wood and stone, which have their own narrative.
I seem to be developing an interest in night photography. I find it meditative to walk when tones and textures have alternative qualities. Linear diagonals also made an appearance.
I have also enjoyed seeing the dynamics and layers – the view itself becomes an art palette.
My practice has also recently included obstructed or hidden elements. I have been wondering what atmospheres would inhabit these spaces – the more layers there are, the more fictional (or real), they could become. I would like to create sound pieces inspired by these, so they can coexist.
I recognise that for me, focus can appear when images are more abstracted.
I remember sitting on a swing we constructed when younger. It was situated at the bottom of the garden, between two apple trees.
Around September time I think about the year ahead, and identify a word I would like to use as a form of inspiration during this time. I either set aside time to think about what the word may be, or it may come and find me. The word ‘play’ came into my mind as autumn appeared.
I therefore decided to explore this as a theme. The investigation of light last week was also part of this. I started by writing a list of activities which have brought enjoyment at different life stages. As I wrote this, I kept thinking about the variety of swings I was taken to in childhood. I wondered how I would feel visiting a playground now as an adult? Would the scale of the swings feel different? Would I find my own momentum?
I went out on a photo walk to a nearby playground. As it gets dark earlier in London at present, it looked like night by the time I arrived. The play area was also being refurbished. This made me think about fun and enjoyment in adulthood, how this can be self-made, experienced with barriers, or hidden. Also, how the act of play can be a form of maintenance or healing.
As part of this theme, I also wanted to create a new routine prior to creating. This will be an organic process, however at present it consists of an assortment of the following:
Mindfulness meditation
Find a guided visualisation for creativity
Breathe
Cultivate gratitude
Light a candle
Burn incense
Collate materials
Make a tea or coffee
Fill a water bottle
Put on a radio show or playlist
Decide on the duration for focused activity
Set a timer
Look at where I ended at the last creativity session
Identify a rewarding activity to undertake afterwards
Start
Finish (wherever I am at)
Review work made
Revisit gratitude
Undertake reward
Making lists has always brought me much comfort.
I am looking forward to the journey of this @HOME RESIDENCY over the next six months.
This week, I have been drawn to capturing various light sources due to the time of year. For me, light can bring comfort in the darker months here in London. I am interested in the abstract shapes which can develop over time, and the emotions these may instil. I find light can be enriching as well as mysterious, and would like to investigate this interplay. From natural to artificial, or text-based illuminations, I want to see what I can discover as a basis for photo, video, and sound-based works.
