August 16, 2016

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The early morning air had been cool, sharp, and enlivening. By the time I’d reached the School, at 8.45 am, the air had warmed considerably. A good prospect ahead. My first task of the working day: an MA Fine Art tutorial.

In my pigeon hole, I discovered this delight. (Never judge at CD by its cover.):

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I had forgotten about it, completely. Some time ago, Id been asked to contribute a sound composition to a compilation album on Mute Sound‘s experimental ‘1-minute autohypnosis’ series. My penny’s worth is a piece entitled ‘Le Petit Exorcisme’ (a version of which will also be included on the ‘bonus material’ that’ll accompany the new double CD release). The album’s description is as follows:

sex war noise faith white truth light Europe dead seed red net Jung dollar neo time love-in city twenty new Cage zen self LSD dose Tesla sea place breaking-up father x-ray future loud blood sweat

I’m enthusiastic about these eccentric, no-budget, independent recording ‘companies’. They can take risks, because they’ve little to lose. That’s a pure and admirable ideal.

Some observations and principles derived from today’s engagements:

  • Having trained hard and suffered disappointment, repeated failure, and the indifference and unconfidence of others, and wanted to throw-in the towel on too many occasions, you may now, finally, have learned how to fly. Learn to enjoy the fruit of your labour.
  • In our work, we walk upon a high wire over a deep dark pit, the nature of which will be different for each of us.
  • Wisdom is intuition nurtured by experience disciplined by thought informed by knowledge.
  • You’re most likely to make a breakthrough when you keep hammering at the same spot.
  • Life is not a rehearsal. Therefore, act now.
  • You may think that you’re merely channelling the work of past artists — such is the pervasive influence of their practice upon your own. However, you must trust both in your integrity and that — with determination and hard work — a distinctive ‘voice’ will one day emerge.

11.30 am: Back at homebase, I began reorganising my sound studio in readiness for the next audio project:

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I’m torn between two possible ventures in sound: the SteelWorks project (which is dependent on TATA Steel’s release of the copyright on the glass plate slides to go ahead); and ‘Talking Bible’ (which I’d like to pursue in collaboration with the RNIB and its American counterpart, the AFB). I anticipate working on both projects simultaneously, until such time as one or the other comes into clearer focus. (I hedge my bets, on this occasion.)

3.00 pm: I conducted an MA Fine Art application interview. Every time I outline the philosophy and content of our the degree schemes, I appreciate the more what makes us distinctive and rare as an art school.

Evening. Back to the website project. Logos abound.

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