ART418 | Changing direction, thoughts..

I’m sitting here at 10 minutes past midnight. Wondering if I should message my mum “Happy Mother’s Day!”.. but decide not to in case it wakes her up. 

I sent her a card a few days ago.. Working out how to post something is the battle of my generation. 

It made me think about holidays that have passed. Being home around family,

Not in silly, rainy, windy, England. Being able to pass a card across the room - maybe a homemade card. Using glitter she doesn’t like, with designs that aren't quite right. 

Now I’m sitting, stretched out, on the communal sofa in university halls. Wondering if they (my parents) ever kept my old cards. Except I don’t have to think too hard. Last time I went home I talked to her (my mum) about my project idea.. trying to find a way to not make this course sound chaotic. Later on, she returns with some old works. Little Katie’s work, a limited archive. 

These pictures weren’t cards or gifts. They were my drawings. My beginner handwriting. Perhaps this from a time when I’d have my pencils sharpened by my dad or Grampy, with the use of a simple “please!”. Basic, imperfect creations.

I'm the worst at gifts. It’s difficult to find a perfect item in a store. 

Sifting through a million potential ideas that fall below my self set standards. Wanting to make something ‘cool’, but getting too concerned about the quality of the outcome before I begin.

It’s writing this now that I’ve had a thought, a big idea that I’m happy with- for the end of year installation. The title of “Gift” to be considered. 

I like the idea of this work being a token of appreciation. Handmade, and personal. A gift to be shared by those who view, as if they are giving it too. 

I think I could combine this well with the idea of sound, movement and play. Using making as the first step towards viewing. 

At this point I’m thinking about non messy methods, optionally passive methods of creating. Like a clear cover, malleable, that shows some form of medium making marks below: like paint, maybe a liquid like ink.. but that would sink in too quickly.