Tutor: Brigid Crone
Our project is based on psycho-geography. We have all read
Psychogeography by Merlin Coverley.
Our topic is
Mudchute on the Isle of Dogs.
We have several strands which we are following up individually:
Tracy - has collected found objects both from our group walk around Mudchute and on forays in the area since. Photographs of these are being posted on the blog. She is also investigating the social history of the area.
Irene - is interested in the geology of the site. She has posted a diagram of the sedimentary layers of the place and also maps showing the IOD history.
Virginia - is pursuing the (probably apocryphal) legend that John Dee conjured up the British Empire at the ompholos at Mudchute where it intersects with ley lines.
Neda - is researching the industrial history of Mudchute and the IOD
We have several ideas for an artwork but have not settled on any one yet. Elements might include:
1. A narrative of our walk/s around Mudchute. Could include fictional elements.
2. A large map on the floor or on a table on which we place pictures, diagrams, objects (or photos)
3. A series of maps, possibly in layers to reflect the history
4. A cabinet of curiosities to display the objects
5. A video or a photomontage of our trip.
6. A cartoon strip of the John Dee story
7. A glass bottle or tube containing the sediment layers
We discussed these ideas. Brigid questioned how the cabinet would work with the rest and whether the objects would be homogeneous enough to fit in. Might photos work just as well and be more flexible for presentation.
We then discussed the potential for a kind of artist's book as a means of presenting all or most of the story. large format? concertina?
Next steps:We agreed to explore the book idea in addition to our other ideas.
At the same time we need to agree a narrative to tie all the elements together whichever means of presentation we use.
In the mean time we would continue to research our various strands.
