Sometimes things don't go to plan, but something a bit special happens instead that is harder to describe....
In the week prior to the installation day we had a wonderfully intensive session in which we sough materials, technology, permissions and assistance that we would require in order to make 2 pieces of work.
1) The projection
2) The Seed as a multiple paste up image.
On the day
the paste ups of 'The Seed'....
went up with great ease and joy (and only a little paste on one of the team's best trousers, for which we hope he has forgiven us).
The act of pasting up the large, AO images attracted alot of comment and conversation with passers by and local residence, and was greeted with curiosity and warmth. As a small group, we were happy to be able to chat with people about the project, and this seemed just as important, if not more so, than the image itself. An unexpected (but not uncomfortable) 'event' feeling began to grow around the presence of some enthusiastic young people doing something a little odd at the end of the street.
The projection....
had caused a little more lateral thinking. All power to the site had been cut, meaning no electricity at all. We hired a generator to run the projector, something like this:
When after a good hour of trying, it still would not function...we found ourselves wishing we could run our projector form something like this:
The projection piece sadly was not completed because of this technical problem....but another, perhaps more significant thing took place.
Without being asked, and without any idea of what we were doing, or why, a small crowd gathered to try and help us to start the stubborn generator.
In between describing what we were up to with Small Change, and trading small talk, various valiant individuals tried their hand at starting the beast.
Several customers from 'The Hawthorne' public house made their way across the road to lend their strength and their expertise with the equipment (which we were lacking experience of).
Both Hannah and Jo took turns, often leaping in the air through trying to pull the cord faster... and were then joined by other members of the Arc team when also rolled their sleeves up.
A representative of the local community group who had come along to show support put in a fantastic effort.
We were sad to call it a day and admit defeat with this piece, but the 'social sculpture' that took place was formidable!
We would like to extend sincere thanks to everyone who was there....for moral and practical support, and for sharing the pain and pleasure of the experience!