Reviews in Cultural Theory: On The Commons

This special issue follows the first Banff Research in Culture summer residency On The Commons: being-acting-feeling together with University of Alberta and visiting faculty at the Banff Centre,  May 2011. Reviews in Cultural Theory is published twice annually by the University of Alberta's Department of English and Film Studies.
'Remaking the Commons' is now online, ISSN:1918-9710, available at: http://reviewsinculture.com/media/issues/RCT-SP-On%20the%20Commons.pdf 

The richness and diversity of the articles give a good insight to the residency programme and the wonderful international and transdisciplinary mix of people exploring the ground of the commons, together.

My essay, Pervasive Media, Commons and Connections: Research as Reflective Studio Practice at Banff, written as an interactive studio process whilst creating the installation And Where [Are You Goung]/ [Do You Go To] When You Go There?, can be found on pages 43-62 of the journal pdf or read online at: http://reviewsinculture.com/special-issue/review4.html

Here's an extract about the essay, from the guest editors'  introduction....

Editors’ Introduction: Remaking the Commons 
M A T T H EW  M A C L E L L A N  A N D  M A R G R I T T A L  P A L A R U 

In a whimsical text defying academic writing straightjackets, Jackie Calderwood draws us into an exploration of language, location, and self-awareness. Calderwood muses on her time in Banff, while also revealing some of her inspirations, her multifaceted portfolio, and herself. The artist’s works come to life through her vivid descriptions and her lyrical and playful asides. By and by, Calderwood’s seemingly scattered text comes together to nudge us exactly towards the ludic, the spontaneous, the importance of living in the moment; her insistence on the process, rather than the polished oeuvre makes the reader acquiesce and accept her terms rather than look for resolution. Ultimately, the literal threads contouring the Rockies in her studio become metaphorical to suggest communities always in formation, starting with “one self.”            p.6

On The Commons, Banff - Report in Canadian Art

Report on the BRiC residency by Tatiana Mellema

Circles close

Evening down town, and I eventually caught up with Annabel for a delicious organic coffee and spelt scone at Genes (Annabel's very good at locating excellent coffee shops, I've found). 

Lovely to hear about the remaining 3 weeks of La Commune after I'd left Banff, and see photos of everyone's work at a subsequent open studios and final group  residency exhibition. Hopefully these connections will continue to grow and paths interweave. 

Yesterday I was talking to other artists, at the IVSA reception, who had met (UK/Canadian connections) at a Banff program a few years ago and continue to collaborate with occasional residency opportunities between continents. The conversations continue.

http://blip.im/g/6w 

I made this colour grid at http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=49.257839,-123.101379 using http://twitter.com/gathererapp

So that was one circle closing, and the other was my tradition of Chinese food and trying a new kind of tofu (crispy rolls) to begin a circle new. I remembered arriving in the city (2 weeks and 2 days my stay will have been) and wonder how different my journey here may have been if I hadn't been put off by my heavy bags from going and finding a Chinese restaurant to 'land' when I first got off the greyhound dragon bus, and mounted the sky train.... Nice to close this way this circle, and know that it will open or close many more to come.

 

Tidy, mountains removed.. closing the door (for now) on Studio 12

 

And Where [Are You Going] / [Do You Go To] When You Go There?

Installation complete... rocks, threads, mountain horizons, pins, colour grids, text, and plenty of spaces for thought in between. Audio playing: recording from Lake Louise visit with conversation in passing with the red beret lady. 

 

 

  

 

  

Making the most of studio space for a few extra days...

 

Changing spaces

 

Colourful Commons: BRiC researchers' colour grids on the themes of the Common(s),

and a 'proof' artwork reclaimed from the recycling paper bin as suitable frame!

Bow River Fairytales

By theBow River

I made this colour grid at http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.172348,-115.566444 using http://twitter.com/gathererapp

Things I see here are:

The river full but calm, steady. Dried mud now making a path.

I notice:

The creature must live here! There are wind chimes singing in the trees

The colours in this grid are like:

Mountains snow water rock tall trees green grass earth, sound sparkling, everything!

The overwhelming luscious smell of fresh cut grass. Stop for a coffee under a tree.

I made this colour grid at http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.171799,-115.560699 using http://twitter.com/gathererapp

Things I see here are:

Stripes in the grass and sunshine

I notice:

The rich fresh smell of the first new grass cut of the year filling my whole lungs and nostrils with vibrant smell

The colours in this grid are like:

Spring definitely arrived in the mountains, just before I leave 

A new view from the window for the last time in the morning

I made this colour grid at http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.172615,-115.560455 using http://twitter.com/gathererapp

Things I see here are:

Spring firmly arrived, leaves in full bud, less snow, changes materialised

I notice:

How much has changed these 3 and a half weeks, and how much is the same

The colours in this grid are like:

A moment noting the changes in time

Night sights and sounds

I made this colour grid at http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.171967,-115.561707 using http://twitter.com/gathererapp

Things I see here are:

White lights lighting up the cold night air

I notice:

How i love the sound of the train horn echoing through the mountains

The colours in this grid are like:

That sound, as I hadn't notated it yet... And the night

Evening Studio Time

I made this colour grid at http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.171196,-115.563072 using http://twitter.com/gathererapp

Things I see here are:

A small window of opportunity to keep the creative juices rolling

I notice:

Time to munch walkabout and return to play

The colours in this grid are like:

Focus on the night and work ahead

Overdue and well received

I made this colour grid at http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.171219,-115.562614 using http://twitter.com/gathererapp

Things I see here are:

Yellow post-its on the studio wall and a blue cable descends

I notice:

The patterns from the comfy sofa, surveying the view

The colours in this grid are like:

Relaxation after a massage before the next work cycle begins

After an evening at the sulphur springs

I made this colour grid at http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.170094,-115.55394 using http://twitter.com/gathererapp

Things I see here are:

Hot sulphur mountain steaming outdoor pool, mountains at dusk, clear skies

I notice:

Deja vue, been here with this moment before - right decision to come!

The colours in this grid are like:

Balance warmth safe held and contained.

 

Transcribing an interview about Hunter Gatherer for a paper I'm making

I made this colour grid at http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.171955,-115.561401 using http://twitter.com/gathererapp

Things I see here are:

Sunshine brings warmth relaxed optimism and an enjoyable pace to work with

I notice:

Calm whilst sitting out in the sun, feeling hungry ready for dinner

The colours in this grid are like:

Sun sky warmth mountains and creativity well mixed in a perfect balance

The space of thought as I swim

Some great footage from the first hero experiments... clearer video and audio than imagined, some of which really point  to the space I was aiming for, and more experimental, abstract stills.

I have to find a better way of fixing the camera at nose/mouth level; Dick Hebdige's brilliant talk on the California Pool (to accompany a forthcoming photographic exhibition of 50's pools) was still close to the surface...

Light show at dinner!