Weird Artistic Developments

Like so many of us, I have recently reconnected with blood and chosen families due to the Virus.

The anxiety of the potential death of a family member has been enough for many people to create weekly Zoom sessions, or at least get in touch and make casual ongoing arrangements to talk, or meet.

But I can’t help but think that this behaviour should be ‘normal’ - albeit the impetus for it not a global health crisis, but simply cultural.

On a skype call with my dad’s side of blood-family, with people in UK, NZ, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, I began talking about the developments of the business I’m building with Dean, and the art we are making, and how it is affecting me as an artist.

I was abuptly interrupted as my sister burst into laughter because my uncle inadvertently flashed the family with his undies (he was trying to discover the make/model of his laptop by looking under it, and the camera, of couse, got a full view of his crotch). I realised that I wouldn’t be able to share my artistic journey so much with my entire blood-family - just the arty ones.

So I’ve decided to share this with you.

We’re in the midst of making Dean’s next show which is being performed to an invited audience in July - with the purpose of on-selling the show to presenters. I’m writing the music, and acting as executive producer and production assistant (of course). Yesterday, after participating/facilitating in a 4 hour disability accessible creativity workshop, we got home and (after a dinner break) listened to some of the music I’d created for the work and I realised I can’t wait to release some of it (one track - “Trumps Adani” in particular has a pounding relentless intensity that is quite enjoyable to experience in a thriller kind of way), and started making adjustments; I’d like to compose and record a solo double bass transition here, record an improvisation using “natural instruments” (i.e sounds made from found organic objects) there, and extend this section, cut that etc etc… the nitty gritty of making.

But then he (in his aspie way) gave me a full rundown of the synopsis of the character in the work. There is 1 solo character, on stage, for about 75 mins. It’s an intense journey. Listening to him explain the character, its inspirations, the way it develops over the piece, and how that relates to all elements of the work (movement, sound, lighting, costuming, A/V) was just beautiful, and I remembered how much I have to learn from him. I also remembered that my own neurology/state/history is going to effect different approaches to art in me, no less valid.

In the midst of our creative development for this work we’ve also moved into a new studio in Camperdown - we offer 3 zoom yoga classes a week (email me at andrew@weirdnest.com if you’d like to join us! they are “pay what you can”), 1 disability-inclusive creativity class in partnership with Sydney Community Services, as well as casual mentorships/classes. This is part of the forming of a discipline and financial viability for the development of our company, Weird Nest.

We’re halfway through establishing a board - I’d forgotten my strengths in arts company management at that level, and it is a delight to be able to use them again, albeit from a more mature perspective. I have a lot of people to thank for the development of those skills.

As I am not working anywhere else, now both Dean and I are Weird full time.

I’ve got something like 6 or 7 grant applications currently being judged from various sources and I’ve started asking for philanthropic support (I remember in my previous Chronology days, I’d aim for 1 grant or 1 philanthropic ask per day). I am a little clumsy as I’m coming back into it, but I’m quickly adjusting. In saying this, if you read this and have a some curiosity about the details, get in touch when it suits.

It’s really exciting to be returning to full time artist again after having a hiatus for 6 years in publishing and working for other small-medium arts companies (whilst still practicing). I’ve learnt so much, about what to do (and what NOT to do!!!) and to be in a position of multual learning with my partner is very exciting as well (this is his first company directorship).

The photo at the top of this post is of me doing a movement/sound/text improv in a site-specific response/exploration during a disability inclusive workshop in creativity/composition with a movement focus at South Gordon Bay Head.