Aidan Moesby :: Text Artist

Welcome to the Real World – Project Space Leeds

Back in the heady days at the end of Summer I was part of a 3 group show at PSL. It was an interesting experience for many reasons. It’s always interesting to see how groups come together and wether they have a common motivation or driver. I was shown as part of the Art House , and curated by Victoria Lucas. The other groups were Rogue Studios, Manchester and a group from Goldsmiths, London. I was really pleased with how WTTRW looked and worked.

I wanted to make something site specific. I took into account the canal which PSL fronts onto and the redevelopment of the nearby area. The past glories of the economic engine and the hopes for the future. The aspect of PSL is such that the sun tracks around it through the day. The two glass walls have an angular confluence which i wanted to make use of. The terms Viscious and Virtuous came to mind. The circularity of the economy, where we are now in its cycle. How inhumane and unjust the world can sometimes seem. So I devised the circular words so that they can be read from the outside but the shadows cast on the floor can be read the correct way round from the inside. The tracking of the sun changes the Viscious Circle into a Virtuous Circle.

I had never worked with vinyl before, and as can be seen I have adopted it for my last 3 projects. I really like its crispness and versatility. This is a cmplete departure for me because I would never have classified myself an artist concerned with an exquisite finish, always happy to have the process marks visible in the work if that occurs.

The photos below are courtesy of PSL.

Salisbury Arts Centre

In December I went to Salisbury Arts Centre to do a talk with Gini and Juan from The View From Here exhibition. It’s strange going to an exhibition where you have work never having seen it. Usually you are there to over see the installation and know how it looks, make a decision about being happy with it, having tweaked, designed, redesigned the show. This time due to budgetary and time constraints I hadn’t had the opportunity to go and install, I had come up with concepts and sent my instructions and intentions to the curator of the show. Then i had sent redesigns and these were passed on in best ‘chinese whispers’ style. Whilst the execution of the text is low-fi I was happy with the hats.

Initially i had sent text to be placed over the stained glass windows of the old church – a new trinity – Ruminate, Gestate, Initiate. Hoever the ambient light just made the text as it was in situ just not workable. The text was moved onto the columns in the cafe.

Peering Sideways

Exhibition Openings – now there’s a mixed bag of ‘stuff’ if ever there was. One of the most ephemeral temporary works I have ever made -  fleetingly appeared at the Peering Sideways opening on Friday 9th of september. The piece – Draft – was one I had struggled with. I was happy with the idea, concept etc but not the execution. Then I reworked it – it ended up being made of sawdust from the install. So fine was the text and so minimal was the piece that within 10 minutes it had been obliterated. A young girl on a scooter rode through it – i liked that – subtlely adding to it – but the photographer documenting the exhibition maybe should have been more aware – he was the first of many. I can’t really attribute blame. Or Fault. I had been talking to Phil from PSL about maintaining it and how close to sweep to it. We laughed later about the futility of the conversation. I had made an ephemeral piece – just it wasn’t supposed to be ‘THAT’ ephemeral. So yes I was little  dissapointed, upset, angry it didn’t make it through the opening evening. I have to let it go. As i have to let a few other things go from the evening too. The word had been ‘Draft’ perhaps i should have made it ‘Respect’.

Soften

During the Hepworth at Wakefield opening I had the opportunity to show some work. This print is coloured only by the patina of the wood blocks.