Having been funded by Creative Scotland to engage in a period of self development, you can find below some of my reflections of my experiences. If you have an interest in any of the events I have attended or the lessons I have learnt, please feel free to email me.
Joining the dots between all the events I have visited. Three training days at the Independent Theatre council, and two IETM Plenary meetings.
The feeling of being overwhelmed - in a new country or place. It isn't about being immersed in an environment that is not your own for the sake of it. It is about acknowledging that sometimes going somewhere else can show you more about yourself and where you come from.
Crafting a role. Asking yourself the questions you ask of other people. Choosing your values and turning them into actions.
I am interested in the links between contemporary performance and punk rock practices. This stems from my interest in the space between fandom and friendship, audience and artist, digital files and live music, rehearsals and “the performance".
In 2016, I engaged in a project where I aimed to find ways to connect the communities that surround contemporary performance and punk within Glasgow. I met with peers, went on tour, and read until my fingers bled.
With thanks to: Laura Bradshaw, Dr Laura Bissell, Laurie Motherwell, Becky Blomfield, William Hutton, Oliver Holbrook, Robbie Candy, Nick Suchak, Alessandro Morreale, Paul Michael Henry, the Eat Me boys and the Dixon family.
What have I learnt?
What do I need to learn?
What is it I want as an artist and an audience member?
What do I need to hold on to from this project?
What happens when we challenge what success, art or society looks like? Can we find space to celebrate work that doesn’t cater to societies expectations of us?
Knowing that my practice is centred around community – and perhaps an attitude that people are more up for it than you might generally assume – I feel like I’ve been let down.
Perhaps this should have been a project about DIY culture.
Perhaps this should have been a project about graduating and trying to find where to best place my practice.
Perhaps this should have been a project about being a part of a community
I think it is my job to support the ideas and interests of artists so they are best placed to meet their audience. This also means that I must consider the needs and wants of the audience. My job is to make and support live happenings that mutually benefit both artist and audience.
I’ve not heard back from any of the venues I’ve emailed. I’m trying to not worry about this. With a project aimed at finding out more about the spaces that present punk and contemporary performance practices, I’m wondering what comes next.
This is where I detail some of the things people have asked me to look at. This is where I talk about how this project inspires people to share. The connection I feel to performance and music is something felt by others. We are connecting.
I want to learn about the ways in which punk and contemporary performance are similar to see if there is any merit (or integrity) in re-appropriating the structures used in music venues for contemporary performance spaces.
I’ve always wanted to research the links between punk rock and contemporary performance. It feels like the moment to do this is now. I need to begin turning my speculations into formalised thoughts before I graduate.