Everything Is Everything
Is a self-directed ecology driven project that records my observations and methodologies on three different 2m x 2m patches in an untended Cambridgeshire garden from Nov 2022 to Nov 2023 from ground level to the cosmos. Very blue sky thinking with conceptual links to my themes of space and bionano. The chosen named areas #stile, #fen and #tree relate to their location. The project evolved to become an exploration of the processes of observation an documenting as one way of ‘deep’ looking over time. It wasn’t so easy… at all!
SETTING UP PATCHES #STILE #FEN #TREE
I set up three patches using ‘What 3words’ App to mark out the #stile #fen, #tree boundary tree areas. I centred the patches where for the ‘What 3 Words’ grid meet but as these exist as a 3m x 3m and the GPS satellite jiggles, it was difficult. The concept a ‘word’ boundary with words was poetic. I also physically marked them out.
#STILE: (round, plump, game) (affair, pupils, fats) (look, query, charm) (dreamers, flamed, heightens)
#FEN: (shell, curtail, dugouts), (additives, bean, branched) (hoped, melts, defends) (cosmic, sued ,tested)
#TREE: (spans, talent, takes) (juror, straddled, responses) (commoners, bright, tactical) (grove, sand, warblers)
As the tree interfered with the GPS signal there are more words options. #TREE: (unions, adjuster, window) (stream, bandage, overpower) (slanting, carefully, bonds) (postings, paler, galaxies)
#STILE - Nov 2022 to Mar 2023
#STILE - Apr 2023 -Nov 2023
#FEN- Nov 2022 to Mar 2023
#FEN -Apr 2023 to Nov 2023
#TREE - Nov 2022 to Mar 2023
#Tree - Apr 2-23 to Nov 2023
DECISIONS
This seemingly simple experiment aiming to monitor a patch of earth from earth to the cosmos became unachievable practically and the questions to resolve were:-
1.How do I find specialists and equipment for plant/soil analysis or astrophotography?
2.How to document and capture patch discussions with visitors (including philosophical)?
3.How best to record observation: drawing, video, sound or photography?
4.Is observation in-situ only or is further investigation off-site permitted?
5.How ordered should I be in the taking of my observations? (I wasn’t)
6.Can I step inside the patch to observe or not?
7. Is remote observation with a time lapse camera OK? (I did decide that for this project observation is valid only if the artist is present)
CONCLUSION
I was overly ambitious in my the concept of being able to explore and record changes to a 2m x 2m patch over a year from ground level to the cosmos and had to adapt intentions due to weather conditions, site access and availability if specialist equipment and knowledge to record about grant level. My image recording lacked the control criteria t that are typically applied to scientific experiments but purposefully as an artist gave myself permission to go ‘with the moment’. Images became placeholders for my emotional and physical response to the diversity of the three spaces. By far, the best experience was the excuse to observe in ‘slow’ time and was surprised with the clarity of my visual recall. Growth spurts, dieback, architectural variations of leaf forms, shades of greens and ice structures were the details I would have missed on a cursory visit.
THANK YOU TO:
• Artist Gail Baglow -for garden use, hospitality and great coffee for the duration of the project
• Sculptor Richard Bray – for help with patch measurements and conceptual conversations
• Creative Dipak Mistry – for his input and curiosity