TRANSART Claire Elizabeth Barratt TRANSART : October 2015

I began my process of stripping everything down to the RAW MATERIAL of the SELF as medium for art in my performance at Somos Gallery in Berlin at the beginning of the Summer Residency.

http://transartcebtransart.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/raw-material-0-ground-zero.html

During a two-month stay in the rural Nottinghamshire countryside in the UK, I began a journal of interactions - the Raw Material of the Self in fusion with the Raw Materials of the environment around me.

http://transartcebtransart.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/recent-images-october-3rd-2015.html

http://transartcebtransart.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/raw-material-2-wheat.html

http://transartcebtransart.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/raw-material-3-apples.html

There are also five other body-based video sketches I have shot & will present them after a first edit.

This work has been accompanied by a written journaling practice in accordance with Natalie Goldberg's "Writing Down The Bones".
Other reading / research material so far has included:
Kristin Linklater - "Freeing The Natural Voice"
Guillermo Gomez-Pena - "Ethno-Techno"
Peggy Phelan - "Unmarked"
Amelia Jones - "Body Art - Performing The Subject"
Nick Mansfield - "Subjectivity: Theories of the Self"
Plus DVDs
Maya Deren - Experimental Films & Divine Horsemen
Tim Etchells / Forced Entertainment
The Live-Art video series

My Research Advisor (Laura Gonzales) has suggested I keep in mind the concept of "material culture" as I work on this project. This makes sense to me - as the material culture of a community (or in this case - me) gives information about materials available to them & serves as an expression of their practical, aesthetic, spiritual (etc) needs & desires in their choices of employment of those materials.

COMMUNICATION WITH MY STUDIO ADVISOR LINDA MONTANO
Linda & I have agreed to approach our communication as being about "Life"

ME - sent these links to Linda to review: (Sept 11 - 13)

#0: Ground Zero

http://transartcebtransart.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/raw-material-0-ground-zero.html

#1: Sand

http://transartcebtransart.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/raw-material-1-sand.html

#2: Wheat
http://transartcebtransart.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/raw-material-2-wheat.htm

#3: Apples
http://transartcebtransart.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/raw-material-3-apples.html

LINDA - in response to my first set of links: (Sept 14)

1, cut hair: there is a feel abt ur work tha is "showing' inclucding ur past training and yet u have "stripped" it now of the complkexities and the frivolous glitter... cutting back, editing to bard essestials...ur people there seemed very appreciative and included themselves and makd esounds.. what was the work word u had them say??? I wondered abt the 'WORD" did u need a word/ or any word? or a choicsen word?

am seeing these as an installation with all 4 of them

2. sand:   I had trouble with the back sounds (kids) and the images...the trasgeressiveness of ur being erotic o n beach and hearing kids playing sounds was not very assuring for me

was it abt that>>????had adisturbing quality just like the wheat one did also....when the camera person said oh oh theres somebody comiugn and he going to be pisssed off...I think u have something here abt mixing the forbidden and the not forbidden

keepo it>??????????????????///or clean it up an dhave goody two shoes????

good girl or bad girl

ur choice

3. ohotos of wheayt just that beaautifullllllllllllllll photos..no edge but hey that's fine 2. question is do u wanb t an edge and be bad or safe and be good?

4. wheat: beautiful movement, but then again the idea of oooppppppppppppssssssssssssss

s   this is destrouying the wheat and no more food and etc. idea of wearing things made it less (:"messy" and less menstral and ;less sweaty and less ruining things but I also wonderhow u feel being in a place that si verboten

linda mary montano sept  14.

LINDA - in response to TEXT being sent again separately: (Sept 18)

THANKS FOR INCLUDING THIS TEXT

I THINK THAT IS U

INCLUDED THEM AS POEMS OVER/INSIDE/IN THE VIDEOS IT WD BE P BEAUTIFULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

EITHER AS SPOKEN ORRRRRRRRRRRRRR WRITTEN WORDS

FABULOUS

ME - in response to Linda's comments: (Sept 19)

LINDA ..... SOME LONG-WINDED RAMBLING THOUGHTS IN RESPONSE TO YOUR COMMENTS & ABOUT WHERE I'M COMING FROM WITH THIS WORK IN GENERAL ......

Current Practice – Philosophical Stance (very rough notes)

My approach:

holistic, essential, integral, non-manipulative (not geared towards audience “affect”) metamorphic.

I work in response/relationship with material/medium/subject as collaborator – even “author”.

In this current practice, the terms material/medium/subject are conceptually interchangeable on the most part.

The material/medium/subject “dictates” the piece – it is asking me to do something quite specific in response to it.

- It is not about “Me” – needing to “express” or “show” something (self-indulgence)

- It is not about trying to have a specific “affect” on an audience (manipulation)

- It is purely a response with as much integrity as possible towards the material/medium/subject & what it is “asking” me to do.

… I understand that some consider this as a form of “naïve essentialism”.

I need to find a lens (or lenses) through which to view this method of working in order to articulate & present my approach clearly & favorably.

I’m afraid that most forms of post-modern, deconstructive, critical theories could be quite unkind to it. I need to find some sympathetic lenses with which to view it.

……………. So far in the “Raw Material” series, I have been responding to material/medium/subject in the realm of nature … specifically in the temporal aspects of harvest – what is growing now? – what is ripe & ready now?

There is an urgency to respond “now” – as the fruits are ready & cannot wait.

……….. I have no intention to be deliberately “Transgressive”…

I will be taken by a creative idea & it begins to take hold of my imagination – not only aesthetically, but in very practical terms – in my mind I begin plotting out all the details of how it can become a reality – it’s a very logical & practical thought process.

I will continue to pursue a creative goal until it has been accomplished – or until some insurmountable obstacle stands in the way.

Sometimes this pursuit may lead to “trespassing” or “strange” public behavior or some such “abnormality” – but those rules are for the general order of society & I usually adhere to them under regular pedestrian conditions – however, when in pursuit of achieving a creative goal then they have no application just for the sake that they are “rules”…

So, in this context, I may “transgress” something as a by-product of my creative pursuit – but I am not ever TRYING to be “Transgressive” – EVER.

……. I don’t consider my self as really TRYING to “BE” ANYTHING, actually.

& I am never really trying to have a specific AFFECT “ON” anyone either.

… if I decide to deliberately use theatrical tools in order to affect an audience in a specific way – or to come across as “being” something in particular, then I would approach the work in a very different way.

- It would be more contrived … devious? … manipulative?

So ….. for example …… in the Raw Material video sketch “Sand” – I am not “trying” to be “erotic”.

I approach the piece with total integrity towards the material/medium/subject – which is sand on the beach in the warmth of the sun.

Of course my response to this is a full-bodied, blissful, sensual absorption of the energy of the most powerful body in our solar-system (the sun) & the warmth & texture of the sand, which has also absorbed the power & energy of the sun.

- Of course there is a natural eroticism to a nude, mid-aged, healthy adult body in this state of being (male or female – although there is more historic erotic baggage associated with the female form that I personally focus on transcending)

- If it were a child, or an elderly person – or someone obese or disabled … how would this same sensual response to the same elements affect a viewer?

The “eroticism” is one thread in the holistic tapestry of humanity … not to be singled out in a one-dimensional analysis of the whole picture.

…….. For the “Raw Material” series, I have decided to keep my own body as “neutral” or natural in appearance as possible – with variations of “costume” depending on what seems to be appropriate for the specific relationship with each material/medium/subject.

So the colour is always flesh-tones that are somewhat similar to my own.

Sometimes it will be total nudity – if full skin is the most appropriate connection/response to material/medium/subject.

Sometimes it will be a “second skin” layer – if flesh needs to become muted in order to blend with material/medium/subject.

Sometimes it will be a texture of clothing that relates to material/medium/subject

- or, in some cases, a more “pedestrian” style of dress – but still in neutral tones.

There are some sketches in which THE BODY itself – or AN ACTION of the body will become material/medium/subject.

Here, it is about Self in relationship/response to one’s own body – or the body’s relationship/response to an action ……… rather than the SELF/BODY in relationship/response to “other”.

…… In the same way as I never deliberately set out or intent to be “Transgressive” (or erotic – or anything else) – I also never set out deliberately to be “edgy”.

If my material/medium/subject provokes or demands a response that creates an “edge” – then my response will automatically produce one without my having to “make” one (or even think of making one)

… & if there is no “edge” emerging, then why would I invent one just for the sake of “effect”?

(Again – I might decide to us this contrived & manipulative tool theatrically to have an affect on an audience in a totally different context than this current project)

…. As for being a “good girl” or a “bad girl” – I would like to leave this way of thinking in the dark ages!

(However – I’m happy to own the term “Utopian Girl”!)

……………………

If a certain response seems totally integral to the material/medium/subject, it is just essential to do it.

…….

I think perhaps that you (Linda) may be looking for how my spiritual beliefs & practices manifest in the work – but I don’t think it has anything to do with terms of “transgression” in any way

…… it is more to do with “Transformation” & “Transcendence” – metamorphosis.

It is the “voluptuous surrender” of body & soul to the Universe ……….. to Creation – Creator – Spirit ……..

LINDA - in response to my last message: (Sept 19)

1.WHEN I HEAR CHILDRENS VOICE ON THE VIDEO AND SEE U being nude/erotic on the beach that they are on, that is transgressive and aggressive

2.when I see u fall into fragile wheat and crush it and then hear u having to leave because u r trespassing, both of those actions are transgressive and aggressive

3.when I see u drop apples into a box and bruise them instead of placing them gentle
that is transgressive and aggressive

I am telling it as I c it and this is what I meant by transgressive and aggressive and passive aggressive but it is happening without YOUR knowing it.

I think u need to deal with ANGER...BECAUSE IT IS SHOWING UP and u don't even know it is!

all is well, and all is fine

Later

ME - in response to Linda's last message: (Sept 23)

Dear Linda ........ you are right that there are indeed things I am feeling very angry about - I am currently dealing with a break-up that has left me very angry about a lot of things.

& I can see that there may be some aspects of this that you, as a very sensitive observer, are detecting through the work.

... as i stated - i have no intention - in any of these particular sketches - to be aggressive ..... it is actually an intention of the opposite - to be melded with - part of - the natural material - organic - integral

.......... perhaps someone without anger could do exactly the same actions & it would not appear as aggressive at all?

... also perhaps a less sensitive soul than you would not perceive the dropping of apples or wheat crushing under me as aggressive ......... in the manner that i do it - which is not at all forcefully throwing or smashing - but a yielding to gravity

(if i were to deliberately express anger it would be sooo much more brutal & destructive than any of this)

in regards to the beach ...... i don't think i would've been able to do that in many other places in the world but berlin ..... the germans are very accepting of nudity in a very natural & healthy way - the beach was a designated nudist beach & nobody there batted an eyelid ...... stephanie was my camera person & said that no-one was even really looking at us!

the kids walked right past us with their parents ... it was no big deal at all - no-one cared

but - to get back to your main point ....... yes - i do need to deal with anger

LINDA - in response: (Sept 23)

thks so much for sharing

yes deal with it

then show me

what u do/c

thks

ME - sending Linda more links to review: (Oct 4)

Dear Linda,

I'm sending you the links to my most recent blog entries.

Please take a look (make sure you keep scrolling down the page all the way to the bottom)

Recent Images

http://transartcebtransart.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/recent-images-october-3rd-2015.html

Two Body Studies
http://transartcebtransart.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/two-body-studies.html

thanx

LINDA - in response to recent images: (Oct 4)

CLAIRE

WHAT?

R U A WINE MAKER?

AS WELL AS ARTIST?

WHAT?

OF COURSE U TAKE WONDERFUL PHOTOS AND THE PHOTOS SEEM TO CENTER U IN THE PRESENT MOMENT

TELL ME IN 3 SENTENCES WHO U R NOW\\

NOT ANY MORE THAN 3

THANKS FRO SHARING UR BEAUTIFUL NATURE LOVE

WINE MUST BE DELICIOUS

ME - in response to Linda's question: (Oct 8)

3 SENTENCES- What I am NOW:

I am nothing of importance & must rely on connecting with powerful things for significance (like nature)

I am scattered as I feel many facets of this work multiplying exponentially

I am pressured with so little time ..... for this MFA project ..... to produce something in the world .... for life

LINDA - in response to my 3 sentences: (Oct 8)

I am nothing of importance & must rely on connecting with powerful things for significance (like nature)...WE ARE EVERYTHING AND NEED TO FIND HOW TO CONTACT THAT

I am scattered as I feel many facets of this work multiplying exponentially......WE ARE ABLE TO HANDLE ALL ASPECTS OF THE SELF

I am pressured with so little time ..... for this MFA project ..... to produce something in the world .... for life...TIME IS SPACE

U R FINE

................................

TRANSART Claire Elizabeth Barratt TRANSART

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

OCTOBER 15th 2015 - ADVISOR MEETING REPORT

OCTOBER 15th 2015 - PROCESS REPORT

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Communication with Linda: September 14 - October 8

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Two "Body Studies"

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Recent Images - October 3rd 2015