Calke Abbey film

A new section from the Calke Abbey film to be projected on the Riding School wall.

Triangular Lodge lighting

As part of the FLOW project in Northamptonshire I am lighting Sir Thomas Tresham's Triangular Lodge. As a staunch catholic Tresham made this lodge triangular as a quiet tribute to the holy trinity. I will illuminate the building in September. Triangular lodge is sited under the laser triangle I am making. I'll also create a responsive film of the ghost of Sir Thomas displaying different emotional states whilst being watched by rabbits on this Warrener's Lodge. Each of Sir Thomas's emotional states will be triggered by passers by. 

Thought

It is of interest to note that while some dolphins are reported to have learned English -- up to fifty words used in correct context -- no human being has been reported to have learned dolphinese. -Carl Sagan, astronomer and writer (1934-1996) 

FLOW. Water Tower illumination. Northamptonshire.

Sketch showing the location of the 3 water towers to be illuminated and connected by lasers in September. The Anglian Water water towers are Rothwell, Desborough and Beanfield.


English Heritage's Triangular Lodge is within this triangle and will have it's own illumination and projection. 

Flow. Water Tower illumination

As part of Northamptonshire's FLOW project I am lighting 3 Anglian Water water towers with lasers making a 5 mile x 5.2 mile x 2.2 mile triangle of light approx 60 feet above the Northamptonshire countryside above the railway line to London.

The looped projection on the drum shows information and poetry cascading through a network of tubes.

Within the large scale triangle of light is the English Heritage Triangular Lodge. Sir Thomas Tresham's home. This will also be illuminated and have a looped projection on one side.

Northampton Market Square projection

I was just asked to supply an image of the Northampton Market Square projection I did so I thought I'd include it here as well.

This is a looped projection onto the new new shopping centre entrance where the old Peacock Hotel stood. The image is of the old hotel balcony as it was where dignitaries addressed the public in the Square. The two and three quarter hour looped film is of Sir Francis Crick and Sir George Bernard Shaw (both with strong local connections) dancing in various dance forms celebrating different events in Northampton's history. This image is part of a sequence commemorating the Battle of Northampton.

T.S.Elliot

Where is the knowledge we have lost in information? -T.S. Eliot, poet (1888-1965) 

Roman Gods

Just read about two ancient Roman gods.


1.      Bonus Eventus - The god of successful enterprise
and
2.     Sterculinus - The god of manure spreading

Perpetual Light performance

Film showing eyes viewing the flattened Hiroshima back projected behind the Londinium choir for Jessica Curry's Perpetual Light requiem.


Photo by Chryssa Panoussiadou.

Calke Abbey zoetrope

A section of one of the 5 zoetropes for Calke Abbey. Each zoetrope will have animated horse related activity (to be shown in the horse exercise yard) and a quote from Sir George Crewe's journal. (Lived in Calke Abbey from 1815 - 1834.)

Feline frontier

Just read that when Persia invaded Egypt in 525 BC the Persian soldiers advanced on the Egyptian archers each carrying a cat. This effectively neutralized the Egyptians, who were terrified of injuring one of these revered animals - and the Persians easily won the battle.

Calke Abbey film

A still from the film for Calke Abbey.

Calke Abbey film

As part of the Breath of Fresh Air project I am making 5 zoetropes and a looped film for Calke Abbey, Derbyshire. Yesterday Marcus, Maria, Helen, Eva, Hettie and myself filmed at Calke Abbey using their costumes. A big thank you to Alison Thornhill for all her help.
This is a sketch in progress of the film to be projected in the horse exercise yard from Aug 1st to Aug 21st. The film is loosely based on the gentle unravelling of the family at Calke. A Stately Home that is lost in time.
Massive thanks to Marcus, Maria, Helen, Eva and Hettie.

Northern Ballet Theatre new building glass front

Animated glass entrance. Project currently nominated for the 'Best Arts Project' category in the National Lottery Awards 2011. 


Photo: Matt Bunn

Northern Ballet Theatre new building glass front

Animated glass. Glass frontage for the new Northern Ballet Theatre, Leeds. 33m long x 3.8m high. Figures in the glass move as people walk past.


Photos: Matt Bunn

Perpetual Light performance

Photo taken by Elspeth Stockwell during the performance showing the film behind the Londinium choir.

Thought for the day

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

There is nothing more agreeable in life than to make peace with the Establishment - and nothing more corrupting. -A.J.P. Taylor, historian (1906-1990) 

Perpetual Light performance

Part of the installation for Perpetual Light requiem performed on Sat 4th. Laser cut B29 bombers (which dropped the bomb on Hiroshima) with integrated led lights. Performed in the Old Vic Tunnels in Waterloo. Thank you to Jessica Curry, Adam Spinos, all the crew and everyone for coming along.

The piece was reviewed this morning by Kay Kempin of Bachtrack:

A true collaboration of art and music, a series of art installations by Jo Fairfax greeted newcomers as they walked through the underground maze. In the first room, strings of airplane bomber lights hovered above, immediately recalling iconic black-and-white stills from World War II. Walking past the planes, the next room stopped us dead in our tracks. Lit by candles circling the room, it was clear this room was meant to serve as a memorial for all those that perished in the air strikes. Struck by the serious pallor of the art installations, the precedent was set for the haunting musical performance to come.

The combination of film, art and music crafted a powerful message that was both sobering and enlightening.

Perpetual Light performance

Another still from the Perpetual Light film. I think some tickets are left If you are interested in coming along to this Saturdays (June 4th) performances, here's the link for further information.


http://www.perpetual-light.com/

Thought for today

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

The liar's punishment is not in the least that he is not believed, but that he cannot believe anyone else. -George Bernard Shaw, writer, Nobel laureate (1856-1950)