Family
I have dark secrets that I cannot tell.
As a young child I learned life was hell.
My mother taught me nought,of things familial,
So I hid my pain deeply,and my feelings well.
Then slowly the pain and the hell were banished.
Now that hidden pain,has faded,has vanished.
For you,mother of my children,with time,have
Taught me the beauty of all things familial.
No man was ever given such wonders in life,
As I myself,have been given from you.
For from you,our children,and grandchildren.
I have learned that familial love is real,is true.
Family days of sunshine,family days of rain,
Are golden memories,that I recall happily,
Smiles,and giggles,and laughter,and pain.
The joy of life comes to me,from you my family.
It humbles me,and amazes me to know you care,
And that I am given so much for so little in return.
In these my twilight years,I no longer count my tears.
I look back joyfully,and count my many blessings.
So mother of my children,friend all of my life,
Witness to the loneliness of my childhood days,
And to those dark secrets,that I cannot bear to tell.
Thank you for your boundless love,is what I really want to say!
Before Time Existed
Once upon a time
There were no clocks.
No "morning,noon or night".
Only "darkness following light".
Buds,then blooms,then fruition.
Birth and life,then death---
Then men! Suddenly,became aware!
And "thus" began to control,
By the creation of "power games"
Played by avaricious man.
Natures "cruellist--animal".
That antagaonistic belligerent beast.
That species,of evil deeds.
Which now,races helter-skelter
Towards "times" very destruction.
With time "controlled"
No time for love!
Time "destroyed"
No time for peace!
Time on hold
As time for war!
I question this,
Is time,for "sure?"
Old Man's Time
There was a time when all people
Around and about me,were older.
Now here,in this time,most people
Around and about me,are younger.
But back then,in younger times.
I myself,felt I was much wiser,
And far more knowledgable
Than all the age'd around and about me.
And in this time,when most people
Around and about me are younger.
I feel that in this place,in time.
I look upon the young,as sage less!
They have no knowledge,or wisdom,
Their time is spent in aimlessness.
In the pursuit of imagery without substance,
Chasing,consuming,wasting,losing.
Or am I wrong,am I filled with envy?
Because I cannot dance with wild abandon.
Is the music I hear,like that of my youth?
Am I better than they,or has my day ended?
Is this a natural process,this raging?
This anger at youth,this fear of ageing?
Can I not fade into time,with grace?
Leaving for youth,it's youthful time,and space!
Tuesday 30 September 2008
Thursday 25 September 2008
Liverpool Biennial Opening weekend Report by Tracey Dunn
I met Berlin artist Isabelle Graeff at her solo show 'Romance is dead' in Trolley Gallery,Shoreditch,East London a couple of weeks ago. We got talking and she gave me her details so when I returned to Liverpool I decided to invite her to stay for the Biennial opening weekend.
Isabelle arrived on thursday afternoon with 10 lycra skintight allover body suits in white or black.These were in all sizes and beautifully embroidered with crystals and metallic beads by an elderly Romanian seamstress.
This was no traditional embroidery but patterns relating to plastic surgery markings that would be drawn onto the skin by surgeons prior to performing surgery.
The artist wanted to raise issues concerning the way women are keen to put their bodies under the scalpel and either having parts sucked out with liposuction or having parts inserted i.e. breast enlargements.
I spent 24 hours with Isabelle and curator/film script editor Colin Welsh finding performance artists.We visited Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts,the Biennial information centre and Mello Mello.I even texted all my female friends to see who we could find.We had started off the day at the press preview at The Walker Art Gallery's John Moore's exhibition.I was amazed at how much of the art related to rooms/domestic interiors after the last Biennials overtly pastoral,foliagey,outdoor garden themes.
Finally it all came together as the 'Plastic Surgery' performance took place at the TATE Gallery and Afoundation,Greenland St.I was busy at my own private view in St. Bride's church, Toxteth where I was showing 3 short films I'd made along with First Take so couldn't make it.
I went to Atelier Bow Bow's show at the decking and gravel amphitheatre opposite St. Luke's church which was a fast paced party performance with individual monologues and a very funny bit with one of the actor's speed eating spaghetti.
Then it was time for Greenland Street where there were pleny of free bars and food.It was a pleasant evening weatherwise and the place was packed.I looked at Bloomberg New Contemporaries which was filled with quirky art from graduates.The giant black hair sculpture like a rococo giant chandelier yeti was especially interesting.The Afoundation commissions were bizarre as per usual.Apparently one artist had filled the 'prefabs' with junk furniture and fittings but removed everything the day before and replaced the rooms with photos of what he put in the rooms instead.I wonder if that annoyed the AFoundation people,or whether they supported the artists idea?
There was a lot of dancing going on and then I was given a wristband for the official afterparty in a huge warehouse opposite NOVAS.It was very busy and full of paper strip alcoves and giant rusted chains,original warehouse fittings.There were beautiful chaise longues and comfortable sofas and coffee tables.Plenty of space in the chill out zones.
I flitted between NOVAS where there were 3 amazing drag queens dancing away in the theatre space and back to Afoundation's coach shed and finished the evening at the biennial afterparty.
Next day ,saturday, Isabelle and I went up to the Florrie in the Dingle to work with a japanese artist who was comissioned by Jump Ship Rat to build a dome from willow with Tom Calderbank and local artists and residents.The sun was shining and the finished dome,an original feature missing from the Florrie was beautiful.I helped Minoko from 'Art In Liverpool' create origami paper wishes.Everbody present was asked to write a wish and tie it to the dome.We then headed to a local pub for light refreshments.
I went straight to 'Wave if you're already there' by Mercy and WaveMachines.It was called the 'Wedding'.Fitting really as it was at St.Bride's church.Sadly the beautiful bride was jilted and proceeded to spend the whole evening walking slowly like a wraith round the church cutting up her wedding dress and then trying to sew it back together.It brought a lump to my throat.The rest of the evewning consisted of comedy,poems and bands.
Sunday morning I was invited for breakfast at Sumer Erik's newspaper house in the Blackie.It was great to see lots of local artists and we all tucked into croissants,jams,cheeses,olives grapes,pears,apples,oranges,nuts and nice tasty breads.Of course this was washed down with tea,coffee and fresh juices.Exactly what was needed as all this art was taking it's toll on my immune system.Again it was a beautiful sunny day so a few of us strolled up to the Hope St Festival for an afternoon of surreal entertainment at the 'Market of Optimism' where I spent my free neuros currency on making a wish at the magic wish stall.
We then headed to the Everyman where loads of people I knew descended on the lively performance by local musician (and legend!) Barry Sutton ex Walking Seeds and La's.
The next day,monday, I visited Gostin's arcade for John O' Neill and Richard Young's artworks and then onto the TATE.I liked Rachael Goodyear's sketches with lots of wild aimals morphing with humans and I thought Charles Avery's world was pretty impressive.It seems there is a definite trend this Biennial and it was construction and domestic interiors and animals.Lots of rooms and building construction going on everywhere.Just like the city really these last few years.
Tuesday I visited FACT to see the video artist's work on the 1st floor gallery.I had been on the panel at the live web debate by 'Tenantspin'from FACT's Box the previous week and listened to the artists as they discussed their work.I also talked about my short films and the 'Independent' strand of the Liverpool Biennial.I enjoyed all the work but I especially liked the ground floor's space with what was like a trip into outer space.I put on my 3D glasses and sat in the darkened room lit with red and green strobes and watched the film which truly felt like being in a spaceship and visiting another planet.Very zen like and surreal.Also loved the scary drone like white noise.
Onwards to Greenland Street to see more stuff with my friend the artist Richard Ashworth on his birthday. So many videos based on constuction..all ladders and hard hats.Enjoyed the film where the hand was moving everything around so it looked like it was tiny.Very simple yet so effective.We loved Jason Underhill's 'Jessie' video with the full on ravings about the homeless in America, we absolutely loved her!
The Korean embroidered paintings were good as were their films.The golden room at the Blade Factory was a little disturbing..lots of piercings,cling film and blood letting with Franco and other body artists.Beautifully presented though I must say.Time now for a rest until tonight's visit to Arena's private view in Jordan st.
Isabelle arrived on thursday afternoon with 10 lycra skintight allover body suits in white or black.These were in all sizes and beautifully embroidered with crystals and metallic beads by an elderly Romanian seamstress.
This was no traditional embroidery but patterns relating to plastic surgery markings that would be drawn onto the skin by surgeons prior to performing surgery.
The artist wanted to raise issues concerning the way women are keen to put their bodies under the scalpel and either having parts sucked out with liposuction or having parts inserted i.e. breast enlargements.
I spent 24 hours with Isabelle and curator/film script editor Colin Welsh finding performance artists.We visited Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts,the Biennial information centre and Mello Mello.I even texted all my female friends to see who we could find.We had started off the day at the press preview at The Walker Art Gallery's John Moore's exhibition.I was amazed at how much of the art related to rooms/domestic interiors after the last Biennials overtly pastoral,foliagey,outdoor garden themes.
Finally it all came together as the 'Plastic Surgery' performance took place at the TATE Gallery and Afoundation,Greenland St.I was busy at my own private view in St. Bride's church, Toxteth where I was showing 3 short films I'd made along with First Take so couldn't make it.
I went to Atelier Bow Bow's show at the decking and gravel amphitheatre opposite St. Luke's church which was a fast paced party performance with individual monologues and a very funny bit with one of the actor's speed eating spaghetti.
Then it was time for Greenland Street where there were pleny of free bars and food.It was a pleasant evening weatherwise and the place was packed.I looked at Bloomberg New Contemporaries which was filled with quirky art from graduates.The giant black hair sculpture like a rococo giant chandelier yeti was especially interesting.The Afoundation commissions were bizarre as per usual.Apparently one artist had filled the 'prefabs' with junk furniture and fittings but removed everything the day before and replaced the rooms with photos of what he put in the rooms instead.I wonder if that annoyed the AFoundation people,or whether they supported the artists idea?
There was a lot of dancing going on and then I was given a wristband for the official afterparty in a huge warehouse opposite NOVAS.It was very busy and full of paper strip alcoves and giant rusted chains,original warehouse fittings.There were beautiful chaise longues and comfortable sofas and coffee tables.Plenty of space in the chill out zones.
I flitted between NOVAS where there were 3 amazing drag queens dancing away in the theatre space and back to Afoundation's coach shed and finished the evening at the biennial afterparty.
Next day ,saturday, Isabelle and I went up to the Florrie in the Dingle to work with a japanese artist who was comissioned by Jump Ship Rat to build a dome from willow with Tom Calderbank and local artists and residents.The sun was shining and the finished dome,an original feature missing from the Florrie was beautiful.I helped Minoko from 'Art In Liverpool' create origami paper wishes.Everbody present was asked to write a wish and tie it to the dome.We then headed to a local pub for light refreshments.
I went straight to 'Wave if you're already there' by Mercy and WaveMachines.It was called the 'Wedding'.Fitting really as it was at St.Bride's church.Sadly the beautiful bride was jilted and proceeded to spend the whole evening walking slowly like a wraith round the church cutting up her wedding dress and then trying to sew it back together.It brought a lump to my throat.The rest of the evewning consisted of comedy,poems and bands.
Sunday morning I was invited for breakfast at Sumer Erik's newspaper house in the Blackie.It was great to see lots of local artists and we all tucked into croissants,jams,cheeses,olives grapes,pears,apples,oranges,nuts and nice tasty breads.Of course this was washed down with tea,coffee and fresh juices.Exactly what was needed as all this art was taking it's toll on my immune system.Again it was a beautiful sunny day so a few of us strolled up to the Hope St Festival for an afternoon of surreal entertainment at the 'Market of Optimism' where I spent my free neuros currency on making a wish at the magic wish stall.
We then headed to the Everyman where loads of people I knew descended on the lively performance by local musician (and legend!) Barry Sutton ex Walking Seeds and La's.
The next day,monday, I visited Gostin's arcade for John O' Neill and Richard Young's artworks and then onto the TATE.I liked Rachael Goodyear's sketches with lots of wild aimals morphing with humans and I thought Charles Avery's world was pretty impressive.It seems there is a definite trend this Biennial and it was construction and domestic interiors and animals.Lots of rooms and building construction going on everywhere.Just like the city really these last few years.
Tuesday I visited FACT to see the video artist's work on the 1st floor gallery.I had been on the panel at the live web debate by 'Tenantspin'from FACT's Box the previous week and listened to the artists as they discussed their work.I also talked about my short films and the 'Independent' strand of the Liverpool Biennial.I enjoyed all the work but I especially liked the ground floor's space with what was like a trip into outer space.I put on my 3D glasses and sat in the darkened room lit with red and green strobes and watched the film which truly felt like being in a spaceship and visiting another planet.Very zen like and surreal.Also loved the scary drone like white noise.
Onwards to Greenland Street to see more stuff with my friend the artist Richard Ashworth on his birthday. So many videos based on constuction..all ladders and hard hats.Enjoyed the film where the hand was moving everything around so it looked like it was tiny.Very simple yet so effective.We loved Jason Underhill's 'Jessie' video with the full on ravings about the homeless in America, we absolutely loved her!
The Korean embroidered paintings were good as were their films.The golden room at the Blade Factory was a little disturbing..lots of piercings,cling film and blood letting with Franco and other body artists.Beautifully presented though I must say.Time now for a rest until tonight's visit to Arena's private view in Jordan st.
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