Having selected our three commissioners, we are now in the process of developing ideas for each ‘pair’ of pieces.
Charlotte is our first commissioner. A
soon-to-be 18 year old, she has enjoyed her 6th form year of English Language,
Art and Textiles and is looking forward to starting her National Diploma in
Fashion Design. Charlotte cites her grandmother (who was a seamstress), Damien
Hirst, Cheryl Cole and Balmain as some of her inspirational figures.
Our interviews with Charlotte began in The
Dorman Museum, where she identified objects such as Egyptian prints and mineral
samples as some of her favourite artefacts, together with prints by artist Viva
Talbot.
The second commission is for Lucinda:
a solicitor and, more recently, a part-time lecturer in Law. An early interest
in the law, social injustice and an independent life has seen Lucinda working
as a successful lawyer in London and South East Asia. Her personal interests
are many and varied and include Fencing and Viking re-enactments. She enjoys nothing
more than, after a hard week's work, relaxing with her husband in a Viking hut
complete from head-to-toe in home-made Viking clothing and accoutrements.
We took Lucinda to the Captain Cook
Birthplace Museum, and she was particularly interested in the ceremonial
swords, scrimshaw and an ornately carved treasure box.
Our third commission has taken a slightly
different route. During the initial cuttlefish casting workshops at mima,
participants were so enthusiastic and positive about the ideas and techniques
that we have decided to produce new pieces for everyone that took part: a kind
of “Collective Commission” for local residents. This group-piece will involve
us making a second casting from their cuttlefish moulds, and this process will also
create a new ‘object’ for each person.
Cheung & Potter 2010
