Finished is a difficult term as an artist- when is something truly, completely finished? Right now if I were to give it a meaning it would be: as close to done as I can get the work on my own and with one final mundane (but essential) stage left incomplete.
Such is the case with the Forest Installation. It’s done. It’s in their basement (through which you pass if you are heading to use their loos- so go and have a look if you’re nearby, their loo is nice too). It needs to be installed, something which will hopefully happen this coming week, but still – its finished. Finished but not complete.
Here are the photos of the final stages, my vague feeling that I wanted to keep it under wraps until it was finished turned into December – the month that I have to squint to remember it was so rammed– so I am posting them all now. In sequence, they have a certain something.
A few notes on the frame:
the construction I did all by myself, a feat made possible by the knowledge I learned making the print table in my studio. I am quite proud of this as before I would most definitely have needed someone to help me. Progress.
And on everything else:
Hand sewing the pieces together took up the majority of the time that went into this work, now I wonder if I could have glued it together after all. In hindsight this seems like a better option, but I still believe that the structural strength and durability that the stitches provide will mean that it will last. Thanks must go to my flatmates who let me do the majority of the work in our kitchen, including a fair bit of sawing.
With the installation date still to be settled I’m leaving it there, photos and thoughts when it is complete.
As for everything else I’m trying to gather myself, tie up bits and pieces and formalise plans for the coming year. Hello 2013!