nonsite

1: How we locate ourselves- our sense of self within the world- literally, geographically- physically: “where we are” as well as psychologically and emotionally.

2: How we define ourselves within different communities- in relation to others- our family, our colleagues through relationships- extended relationships, professional communities

3: How we collaborate within a group- networks, social networks, email and then through formal collaborations and how we choose to record those collaborations.

Since I’ve been in Banff, I’ve been trying to focus on what is the essence of my project.

What’s my research question? What’s my fight?

While I’ve been thinking about these questions, I’ve been struck by trying to locate myself: where are you?

come closer … everything I make I make for you … I want to get to know you better …

In particular I’ve been reflecting on both my imagined audience and my community. For many years I’ve always imagined a fairly abstract audience- yes, I knew my friends and colleagues would see my work, but I always imagined and knew I was making art for a larger art world. I was also making art in response to what was being made in that larger art world.

The interesting thing about coming to Banff for this residency is that everyone is coming from away- for six weeks and everyone seems pretty open to talk about where they are and where they’re coming from and what they value- both literally, emotionally, psychologically and metaphysically. This realization has led me to reassess where I am and what my values and priorities are.

What is essential to my research project and what is capricious?