elsewhere
Today I think I wanted to talk about the freedom to create in the physical and mental place of elsewhere. I am surprised by the fact that there is very little pressure for me here to complete a specific project now. Mostly this is a daily pressure that is self-imposed. I think the lose of it here stems from the fact that both the directors, Steph and George, can either be found (or heard) discussing upcoming artist or plans for elsewhere, reorganizing functional and non functional spaces, or working across from one another at their desks. They work around the clock with the result feeling like a cocoon of creativity and obsession all balled into one. (By the way, I had decided throughout the course of the day that Steph and George will have to wait till the end, I will be able to share so many more stories of them by then) This also fuels the rest of us to work like this. With an unseen clock and constant live bodies working on their own investigations, I feel like there will be more time tomorrow not to mention how much time I have compared to at home. I know I am less than a quarter of a way through my time here so I guess that helps to keep my usually strict (and sort of relentless) work ethic at bay also. I am able to keep remembering that this is a place for me to think.... and collect, process, gather and move outside of my normally white walled studio. I feel as if I am taking full advantage.
So although I just finished ranting about work ethic, I spent most of my day either exploring on a bike ride, sitting at the Green Bean coffee shop emailing about the CRL, or talking to the other artists. I have purposely avoided much mention of them. Mostly, this is because a communal place like this could quickly turn into a soap opera, especially with young interns in the mix. I am really thinking of this blog as a time to process random thoughts on my work and the place. I want to have a record of the experience but feel like keeping up with all the household drama would weigh me down. So although I find some of the best moments have been chatting with the interesting people here, I will work at keeping them unnamed.
