Joining the talk and drawing in translation

Thursday night, Laura was giving an artist talk in Toronto as I slept in Nottingham, but, as arranged, during her talk she called and I woke to say hello to a room full of people, who kindly returned my greeting.

Then as requested I described for them the view from my window.

I sat in the dark of my studio looking out on to the street. Its a view I often spend hours in front of, but not usually at this time of night. I described so that they could draw what I was seeing. My attention focused on the shapes and structures closest to me at first them moving back into the distance. The detail in this view was still clear as a result of the street lamps and a security light which highlight the shadows in an orange hue.

For the curious here is a photograph of the view I had.

Thank you to the distant audience who shared this moment of night watching with me.

Re:::lay Sheffield : London (Ruth)

photography of Ruth and Laura in Sheffield by Julian Hughes.

(please check back soon for excerpts of the performance score)

Blog Project #3: Translation Drawing

Ask someone who is far away to turn to face you(North, South, East, West, this can be precise or wherever they imagine that to be). Then ask them to describe for you in words their view. As they talk, draw what they describe (we recommend drawing on hardback envelopes, or postcards). When you have finished ask them to do the same for you. To complete the exchange post your drawings back to one another.

This is long distance drawing is a connecting process of translation and interpretation, that we used during the Re:::lay performance walks.
The outcome being a view/drawing created more from the observations and articulations of the person describing and the interpretations of the person drawing, than simply the landscape itself.

If you want to send us photographs the drawings you create as jpeg's via email: sorrelandlaura@gmail.com we would love to see them and share them here on the blog.

Re:::lay London to Sheffield

"The distance between you is from your fingers to your heart and back again then half way, at a scale of 1:100,000"

Our journey recollected:
Re:::lay London to Sheffield began in 2 places at 11am taking 9 moves and 9 exchanges.

A bound uphill, our route defined by leaf fall.
A defiant stride along the center of the road as we move away from the pavements.
A big view offered - a Conker not found - but a tree befriended.
A shadow and an animal exchanged for a small and big road.
A sprint past the rubbish and a baby.
From your fingers to your heart, back again and half way; Martin to Ruth measured out on a yellow brick wall.
A search for old men revealed many who defy the suggestion of their greying hair and lined faces with a confident stride or peddle power.
A building with a poster on it to Martin's local video shop = London to Sheffield at a scale of 1step =1km
A reach - a turn - and a feeling shared.

Re:::lay Nottingham : Bethesda

photography of Laura and Jeannie in Nottingham by Julian Hughes

Blog Project #2: The distance between you...

Think about someone you miss and describe the distance between you.
(What is it measured by? How do you see it? How do you feel it?)
Send your response as a postcard to the person you are thinking of, or if you rather, post it to us at:

Sorrel and Laura
C/O Thingland Studio
Oldknows Factory
Egerton Street
Nottingham
NG3 4GQ
England


and we'll send you one back.

image: postcards created by Sorrel and Laura as part of To trail is not always to follow behind, 2007

Please add your answers through the comments option below or email us the response as a jpg to: sorrelandlaura@gmail.com

October 27, 2008

'toilet wall love letter'
submitted by Megan
(author unknown)

Coming Soon

Our second Re:::lay performance, Bethesda : Nottingham, takes place tomorrow at noon. We'll be meeting our participants, Irene and Jeannie at their homes. Check back soon for documentation and a posting of Blog Project 2.

Best,
Sorrel and Laura

Destination Point and Translation Drawing

When Mik and Mike each reached their destination points, we put them in touch with one another by phone, asking them to describe the view of their surroundings as the other translated their words into a drawing. At the end of the performance-walk, each drawing (made on the outside of the envelope used to mail the transcriptions, numbers, stories, and artifacts collected during the journey) was sent to the other.





"Mike, we've reached our destination. You've found The Linconshire Poacher in Edinburgh."

The directions/ score passed on to Mike to follow were created on a journey from Walker St. in Nottingham to the patio of The Linconshire Poacher (a significant meeting place for Mik and Mike when they both lived in Nottingham). When following them in Edinburgh, they led us to a picnic table outside a place called The Black Bull.

The directions/ score passed on for Mik to follow were based on a walk from Edinburgh's Waverley station (the last place where Mik and Mike saw one another) to Cramond Beach (another place of siginificance for the friends).

Two days following the performance, just before I left Edinburgh, I met with Mike at the train station again. He had just received the package from Mike's performance-walk with Sorrel. We decided to return to the picnic table outside The Black Bull to open it. This is where these last few pictures are taken.



Mik, let us know when you receive yours too.
Thanks to both for sharing your experiences and stories with us.

Part 2: Mike- Walker to the Destination

"My role will be as your hands, your documentor. Whatever is collected or recorded we will send to Mik, so if you see or think of something you would like to pass on to him, let me know."


(phrases passed on)

"The next set of directions have been devised by Sorrel walking in Nottingham for you to follow here. After we find each landmark I will pass on the next direction."


(documenting security cameras)

"This set of directions will also be sent to Mik at the end of the journey, returning them to Nottingham."

Walk for Mike

"7. At the corner of the street bear left and head towards the autumn leaves."
"8. Cross the road you are on and keep going towards the shops with covered windows."
"9. Pass two signs that tell you how to behave."
"10. Head towards the building with rainbow colours on it; at the building turn right."
"11. Pass the marker of time we are both divided by and bound to."
"12. Now survey your surroundings for the tallest building in view; keep walking til you put it behind you."
"13. Follow the yellow lines uphill."
"14. At the crossroads (a system not designed by pedestrians), cross the road carefully."
"15. Now you want to take the slab stone pavement uphill passing a chicken and an old horses head."
"16. You are almost there-- take the next street left and left again and head for the red and gold sign."
"17. Take the next stairs down to your picnic bench. Here you'll notice birds fly constantly overhead. Sit and drink in your surroundings."

Part 2: Mik- Walker to the Destination

"The next set of directions have been devised for you by Laura walking in Edinburgh for you to follow here, as you find each landmark I will pass on the next direction. Mike has the same number of directions based on a walk i took in Nottingham, for him to follow in Edinburgh."

"We have left space on the page of the first directions for you to record the instructions I pass on. At the end of this journey we will send these to Mike, returning the route to Edinburgh."

Walk for Mik

"7. Walk to the end of the street leaving the sculptures behind you, where the garden begins turn left."


"8. Head straight past the bush with berries and a sign of higher education."

"9. Once you see three blue doors cross and head down hill (or right)"

"10. At the next driveway (after the rushing water) cross the road and follow the sidewalk left towards the patch of green."

"11. Pass the hall of mirrors and the master of the universe."

"12. Where the road zig zags turn right, looking for animals."

"13. .Keep straight till you hit the circle in the road cross left and head right."

"14. At the candy junction where the penny whistle stands cross right passing the trophy of honor and broken fence."

"15. At the next roundabout head for the houses and past two guards."


"16. Walk to the end of the wall covered in green and then hang right, when the wall opens up to show the sky you know you are close."

"17. Step on to softer ground and head for the blue; keep straight seeing the sky touch down to meet you."


For Mik, "the place where the sky touches down to meet you," was clearly the brow of the hill ahead of us on Mansfield Road. As we reach the brow, the sky itself stepped back to the new horizon beyond, but a church and grave yard took its place, maintaining the points connection with the sky (heavens).

Part 1- The Meeting Point: 3pm, at the right-hand side of the train station, by the steps, facing the art centre

"Hello. Welcome to Re:::lay Edinburgh : Nottingham. This performance walk has been created with you in mind. These walks are taking place simultaneously. Right now, Sorrel is meeting Mik at the right-hand side of the train station by the steps in Nottingham."


Mike with Laura in Edinburgh

"To get started, we four will be following the same six directions [...] This journey will involve a lot of interpretation which we will discuss, debate and navigate together. Shall we begin? Let's text them to let them know we're ready."

Directions

1. Start by the right-hand side of the train station, by the steps, facing the art centre.
2. Turn right and walk to the end of the street.
3. Where the street end, cross the road, go left, then immediately right.
4. At the next lights cross towards the bank and head left down the street.
5. At the corner with the railings, bear right-- cross the street and head for the trees.
6. Follow the pavement to the next street and then call.


Mik with Sorrel in Nottingham

" Ok now we are here, we will call Mike and Laura. When I put you on, find out where he is and then describe for him your view."


Mik and Mike find themesleves at Walker Street in different cities; the wind intruding on their conversation as they describe their views to one another.