Wednesday, 2 January 2008

Polski Intervention 14/12/07

Alicja Rogalaska
A few evaluation notes for the Keepers:
1. The project was curated and managed in a professional manner and I felt like I could focus on my work - the technical and practical issues were taken care of.
2. You made sure that both the process and the project itself were documented in various ways and the documentation was used on the blog (good idea!).
3. Marketing was good (very nice designs) - perhaps the e-flyer could have been sent out earlier, but I know the timescale of this project was tight.
4. What could have been improved: only a small part of the initial idea was realised, maybe it could have worked better as a series of events with a Polish theme (like the specimen exhibition:) - again, this is due to external constraints.
5. Poor turnout of pedestrians - the location and time were chosen carefully but it turned out to be difficult to predict - perhaps asking the locals/spending more time in the area is a good idea when planning projects in the public domain.
6. Supportive atmosphere and very good internal communication throughout the project.
7. Overall - I would recommend you guys to other artists!

I'm Polish!

Freezing temperatures of -3 on Friday the 14th of December insured that the Keepers and Alicja Rogalska really believed in this project. Well, we managed to stay for the duration with getting hypothermic. The first thing that went wrong was the projector as the fuse blew. Luckily it was quickly replaced with the help of a nearby hardware store. The generator was extremely noisy and smelly but alas managed to see us through the intervention with all the power we needed for the projector and the laptop.
Alicja had prepared the text for projection. The text read 'I'm Polish', 'Polski' & 'Polish'. The Projection design was simple, black background with white text. However the lettering came alive as she shone it around the floor in front of passer-by and as it was projected onto peoples clothing and the surrounding landscape.
Seeing the project actually happen, taken off the paper and the e-mails, really made me think. Its not often you come across artist that are willing to make an example of their art and art practice, outside of the gallery. I don’t feel like art is general, available and accessible to anyone. What Alicja had done in the planning and execution of this instillation was a brave and commendable act. As curators it’s important to support artist in the actuality of their projects, this project I feel on behalf of the Keepers was a great start to many experimental and multi-platformed installations.
In attendance were our Curatorial Practice Lecturers, Joan, Helen and Nigel. Also in attendance was another fellow student on in her 2nd year of the Curatorial Practice m.a. Maria.
Along with members of the Erdington Arts Forum, Simon & Ev. Alongside Birmingham cities arts officer Patrick Hayes
It was great to have Erdington arts forum they’re supporting us. It’s a good feeling to know that the project is supported within the city by external organisation's. So thank you to all for making an effort to attend. It meant a lot.