Minutes of Meetings x 3

Minutes three:
Minutes 3 : 141006/em
Date : 14th Oct, 2006.
Participants : Carol Archer / Even Mak @ Carol’s place in Macao

Contents:

1. The theme of this project is the felt experience of the physical body, and especially the feet. Even made some slabs of clay and marked them with footprints, firing them at bisque temperature (980 degrees Celsius). On October 14, she brought these to Macao for Carol to put the glaze on. Carol worked on these during the day, taking photographs of possible ways that the slabs could be combined with the 2D collaborative pieces the two have been mailing to and fro for some time (see previous images on this blog), and then experimented with applying the glaze. Later in the day Even and Carol had a lively discussion. It was agreed that the glaze on the slabs would be adjusted by Even. The two viewed the photos Carol had taken over the afternoon, discussing possibilities for the work, and then played with the paper and ceramic elements with a view to deciding how they could be arranged in the glass cases that the Macao University Library Gallery has made available to us. The two settled on a plan for the final work. Parts of one of the long coloured footprint paintings, and of one black and white painting were selected (please see images on blog) to line the base of each of two glass cases, alongside expanses of white and black paper respectively — a strategy to reduce the busy-ness of the piece and give more clarity to the ceramic pieces, and the shadows they make. (The idea of having some very slight footprint traces in this plain layer was floated). Selected ceramic pieces would be positioned on top of these in such a way that the two interanimate one another. Even then brought the slabs back to Hong Kong where she will continue to work on them. In Macao, Carol will finish the 2D part of the work.

2. Invitation ecards will be handled by Even’s friend and bookmarks may be printed if there’s sufficient time to print out. These will be distributed by Even and Carol. Carol has given the Chinese and English details of the exhibition to the Library so that the exhibition can be advertised in the University of Macao Open Day publicity.

3. Carol has created a blog for documenting our collaborative process, our reflections on it and as a communication vehicle between Carol and Even. This blog is linked to the broader “reciprocal interference” project initiated by Carol — a series of pairs of artists working together on collaborative art projects (see links on Carol and Even’s blog).

4. Even and Carol will set up the installation on 8th November. Even may not be able to attend the opening on the 10th due to study commitments.

5. Some of the plans listed in the previous minutes have been revised as follows:
· The Macao exhibition opens in the gallery of the University of Macao Library as scheduled on November 10 and runs until December 7, 2006. However, the Hong Kong exhibition has been postponed until Spring 2007 both because the gallery for the Hong Kong exhibition is not yet finalized and because of the number of demands on Carol and Even’s time at this point.
· This exhibition consists of an installation utilizing two or three glass cases which contain acrylic on paper and ceramic elements marked, and impressed, by Carol and Even’s feet.
· Deferred for a subsequent stage of the work (and the Hong Kong exhibition) is Carol’s idea of a video presentation that engages the moving feet in relation to urban spaces, and Even’s slip casts of dancers’ feet that explore their appearance versus the pain/deformation that ballet training entails. The arch of the foot will be Even’s particular focus in this later work, whilst Carol’s will be on the feet as a point of contact with local Macao built/denaturalized environment.

Minutes Two:

Minute – two : 070606/em
Date : 7th June,2006.
Participants : Carol Archer / Even Mak

Contents :

Refer to minute one, contents of the project has be adjusted as below :

1. The theme of this project mainly on feelings of physical body, the “feet” will be the main theme instead of body distortion to avoid discomfort of our model, impact on “feet” would be more concern. Even will approach our model’s consent to cast her feet and brief introduction of ballet will be acknowledged in our exhibition.
2. UMAC library corridor has been confirmed for our exhibition on November, Even will approach a Hong Kong gallery; the time will be ideal on December after Macao’s.
3. Carol will be on holiday from end of Jun to August but the collaboration exchange between Carol and Even will keep on.
4. Carol considers on video presentation on the exhibition besides painting and Even keeps on the slip casting on feet. Both agree to explore to paint on a mold foot.
5. Collaboration exchange has been started but forgot to keep soft copy, but will start from the third from Even..
6. Carol and Even will continue to explore the impact of ballet training on feet in physical, for instant, an X-ray film of a distorted foot.
7. We planned to have a series of body limbs in the coming future. Carol will focus on the feet movement and Even will on the arch of feet will consider later.
8. Even’s thematic territory – appearance of dancer’s feet versus their pain/deformation : keep on exploring
9. Carol’s thematic territory – feet as a point of contact with local Macao built/denaturalized environment. – keep on exploring
10. Confirmed Carol will be the principle of Macao’s exhibition and Even will be Hong Kong’s.
11. Carol confirmed Library’s staff would lend the glass cabinet to show ceramic work.
12. Carol is exploring pictures using shallow space and focusing on tracks, touch, the feel/feelings of feet, and the experience of movement. Perhaps out of focus tonal works based on photographs. Watercolour or painting on board maybe.
13. Both of us agreed NOT apply for ADC fund.
14. Agreed to print invitation card/bookmark for our exhibition at our own cost that share by Carol and Even, linked with Macao and Hong Kong’s exhibition have to consider/
15. Even will produce a few bisque fire “feet” work for Carol to explore of the possibility to paint on it.
16. Temporary confirmed our title “Footwork”, Even will consider in Chinese.


Minutes One:
Minutes – one : 220306/em
Date : 22nd Mar,2006.
Participants : Carol Archer / Even Mak

Contents :

1. The theme of this project mainly on feelings of physical body, the distortion on body limbs while nice appearance when wearing with a ballet shoes but body hurt or distortion when looking on raw foot.
2. Discussion on the space of gallery, Even suggested to approach a certain gallery and Carol is thinking about to have an exhibition in Hong Kong and Macau. Carol suggested a space at UMAC that she has already begun negotiating
3. Due to Carol being busy in the next few months, Even suggested to have the exhibition by the end of 2006.
4. After discuss with individual interest, Carol keeps on her painting and Even keeps on the slip casting on feet.
5. Carol has started the collaboration on painting of feet, Even suggested to record by soft copy to look on the progress and for reference.
6. Carol is thinking to put the “feet” painting record to develop as a video or 3D.
7. Carol will keep on the collaboration between other artists to refresh new ideas.
8. Carol and Even will continue to explore the impact of ballet training on feet in physical, for instant, an X-ray film of a distorted foot.
9. We planned to have a series of body limbs in the coming future. Carol will focus on the feet movement and Even will on the arch of feet.
10. Even’s thematic territory – appearance of dancer’s feet versus their pain/deformation.
11. Carol’s thematic territory – feet as a point of contact with local Macao built/denaturalized environment.
12. Possible Macao-Hong Kong exchange angle, show together in the UMAC Library corridor? Show together in Hong Kong?
13. Carol needs to take a few pictures and send to Even and ask library staff if it would be possible to include ceramics work in this space.
14. Carol is considering pictures using shallow space and focusing on tracks, touch, the feel/feelings of feet, and the experience of movement. Perhaps out of focus tonal works based on photographs. Water colour or painting on board maybe.