Dear people who read my blog, in all corners of the world that you are.
I am appealing for help to produce works in China, it is the only funding I will have. If you feel you have a dollar or five spare and take interest in what I pump through this inane drivel, take a peek and if you'd like to support please do, if not literally, then please share to those you think would have interest.
Realistically at the moment I am considering canceling the trip. The Swatch support goes a long way by providing my transport and accommodation in China but I have to cover my rent here in Reykjavik and other bills as well as feed myself over there. Currently the financial debt that incurs is something I am nervous of - but willing to take on if I can produce works of worth whilst there as I consider this an amazing opportunity.
For many years I have self funded the entire of my series The Weird Girls Project but since redundancy at my previous employer I have been able to do pieces with commission such as the Converse and Blue Lagoon works. Which is lucky as I have no income to front it anymore.
Right now I feel it would be irresponsible to take on more debt in the name of art when I am a single mother with no financial security. So, I am taking a leap to see if there is enough interest in seeing what I could produce, and if there is, I will exhaust myself ensuring I do not disappoint those who have supported it.
x Kitty
you can support by clicking here!
Friday, August 24, 2012
Tuesday, August 07, 2012
Friends, family and fame.
The summer is nearly over, or thats what it subconsciously feels like when the night starts to actually have hours of dark again. Although in a way summer most definitely isn't over. Yesterday I was at the wonderful Seltjanarnes sea water swimming pool at 18.00 and it was 19 degrees. I was lying on a sunbed sunbathing. This whole summer has been unnaturally good. But oh my how the population are loving it.
More outdoors activities than ever have been going on, and the aforementioned Hjartagarðurinn or HjARTpark has been a prime focus.
Sadly, many locals when out drinking litter the place with smashed glass and cigarette butts and I joined the clear up attempt before Tanja and Tomio's (the couple in lead of organising the park community) son had his birthday party there in July. We spent hours at it. Of course within a few days the place had more, but that 3 year old's birthday party made it into the newspapers and now the television have been down there to look at the place.
Its visited often by tourists now and is even included on a Reykjavik walking tour. There is alot of concern from us - the Hjartagarðurinn crew - about what will happen to the place. Its organically grown this was into something very special and we are on the cusp of more corporate intervention. In a way, although this is fearsome as they will change the place, its better it stays a park than a glass mall, as was the original plan.
Anyway, if you're in Reykjavik, come and see it. The more it becomes an attraction in itself, just the way it is, the more support it will have for remaining the way it is currently. And while you're there, please take your litter with you.
Two people I took to the HjARTpark, were my mum and my stepdad Mike. They came to visit me for the first time in summer. It is complete insanity that they have visited as often as they have and only been in winter. They have sworn they will never visit in winter again. Having recently come from a 3 week holiday in France when it rained every day, they were overwhelmed with the heat and went home distinctly suntanned. Not only have they only visited in winter, they have not been outside of Reykjavik (except a quick swim in Hveragerði for my mum one day). So we borrowed a summerhouse from my friend's grandparents and went on a little adventure.
We could see Katla - the massive volcano which is scaring everyone - directly from the bedroom windows. The surroundings were stunning, we were in Laugavatn and it was exactly what I wanted my parents to see. I felt that finally they understood a bit more why I live here: a mix of stunning surroundings and things such as the Park. As the summerhouse was relatively closeby, we did the essential visits to Gulfoss waterfall and Geysir.
Yes Geysir is a spectacle you kind of have to see, I didn't feel anything when I saw it. However, Gullfoss is an incredible waterfall. I tend to get a little funny in front of most waterfalls, just from the sheer power. This was no different. Do go.
On the final leg home we stopped at the swimming pool in Hveragerði where I fimed Episode 6 of The Weird Girls Project and relaxed in the sun with the locals. It really is a wonderful place and I think has the best steam room in Iceland. Followed on from there we went for the best lobster in Iceland in a teeny tiny village called Stokkseyri. The restaurant is legendary. I would eat there every week if I had the money.
After the folks went home I had a very busy time indeed. I was preparing for the lastest video artwork which took place a week ago - a special episode at the Blue Lagoon. More on that later. As my daughter has also been on summer vacation from leikskoli, my time at the computer has been limited. This in itself is not a bad thing but I have been struggling to keep on top of work, proposals, applications and preparations for my imminent departure to China again.
I am definitely at the stage where I need to get an agent, and preferably a fully fledged production assistant but as yet am not financially viable to pay for these - except on a project basis as per the lagoon piece. I am beginning to be somewhat anxious about subletting my apartment during my stay away and most definitely need to engage one commission for my time in China. Converse sent me a media report of the activity following the release of the 2 Chinese Converse episodes.
I was taken aback to read over 3.5 billion printed pages with the Project/me on are currently circulating China. This includes Art & Design China and China Fashion Weekly. In addition there is web coverage on GQ, Elle, Marie Claire and more. Now what I really need is for this exposure to turn into something to pay my bills with. Lets see. For now I am in discussions with people in Scotland and New Zealand about productions in Spring next year, both of which would be phenomenal.
One thing I realised is that both of these destinations have a great deal of visual similarity with Iceland. I look forward to these opportunities. First though, I must complete the post production - or overseeing my wonderful post production guys at work - on the Lagoon piece and then at Menningarnott (Culture Night) I will have an exhibition and be screening the last of the 3 pieces I made in China.
For now, here is the visual of my hanging at home, my successes in the garden (more of which will be written about on my gardening blog later today), friends, family and enjoyable times in this heavenly weather.
Sadly, many locals when out drinking litter the place with smashed glass and cigarette butts and I joined the clear up attempt before Tanja and Tomio's (the couple in lead of organising the park community) son had his birthday party there in July. We spent hours at it. Of course within a few days the place had more, but that 3 year old's birthday party made it into the newspapers and now the television have been down there to look at the place.
Its visited often by tourists now and is even included on a Reykjavik walking tour. There is alot of concern from us - the Hjartagarðurinn crew - about what will happen to the place. Its organically grown this was into something very special and we are on the cusp of more corporate intervention. In a way, although this is fearsome as they will change the place, its better it stays a park than a glass mall, as was the original plan.
Anyway, if you're in Reykjavik, come and see it. The more it becomes an attraction in itself, just the way it is, the more support it will have for remaining the way it is currently. And while you're there, please take your litter with you.
Two people I took to the HjARTpark, were my mum and my stepdad Mike. They came to visit me for the first time in summer. It is complete insanity that they have visited as often as they have and only been in winter. They have sworn they will never visit in winter again. Having recently come from a 3 week holiday in France when it rained every day, they were overwhelmed with the heat and went home distinctly suntanned. Not only have they only visited in winter, they have not been outside of Reykjavik (except a quick swim in Hveragerði for my mum one day). So we borrowed a summerhouse from my friend's grandparents and went on a little adventure.
We could see Katla - the massive volcano which is scaring everyone - directly from the bedroom windows. The surroundings were stunning, we were in Laugavatn and it was exactly what I wanted my parents to see. I felt that finally they understood a bit more why I live here: a mix of stunning surroundings and things such as the Park. As the summerhouse was relatively closeby, we did the essential visits to Gulfoss waterfall and Geysir.
Yes Geysir is a spectacle you kind of have to see, I didn't feel anything when I saw it. However, Gullfoss is an incredible waterfall. I tend to get a little funny in front of most waterfalls, just from the sheer power. This was no different. Do go.
On the final leg home we stopped at the swimming pool in Hveragerði where I fimed Episode 6 of The Weird Girls Project and relaxed in the sun with the locals. It really is a wonderful place and I think has the best steam room in Iceland. Followed on from there we went for the best lobster in Iceland in a teeny tiny village called Stokkseyri. The restaurant is legendary. I would eat there every week if I had the money.
After the folks went home I had a very busy time indeed. I was preparing for the lastest video artwork which took place a week ago - a special episode at the Blue Lagoon. More on that later. As my daughter has also been on summer vacation from leikskoli, my time at the computer has been limited. This in itself is not a bad thing but I have been struggling to keep on top of work, proposals, applications and preparations for my imminent departure to China again.
I am definitely at the stage where I need to get an agent, and preferably a fully fledged production assistant but as yet am not financially viable to pay for these - except on a project basis as per the lagoon piece. I am beginning to be somewhat anxious about subletting my apartment during my stay away and most definitely need to engage one commission for my time in China. Converse sent me a media report of the activity following the release of the 2 Chinese Converse episodes.
I was taken aback to read over 3.5 billion printed pages with the Project/me on are currently circulating China. This includes Art & Design China and China Fashion Weekly. In addition there is web coverage on GQ, Elle, Marie Claire and more. Now what I really need is for this exposure to turn into something to pay my bills with. Lets see. For now I am in discussions with people in Scotland and New Zealand about productions in Spring next year, both of which would be phenomenal.
One thing I realised is that both of these destinations have a great deal of visual similarity with Iceland. I look forward to these opportunities. First though, I must complete the post production - or overseeing my wonderful post production guys at work - on the Lagoon piece and then at Menningarnott (Culture Night) I will have an exhibition and be screening the last of the 3 pieces I made in China.
For now, here is the visual of my hanging at home, my successes in the garden (more of which will be written about on my gardening blog later today), friends, family and enjoyable times in this heavenly weather.
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