Client Brief Reflections ....

I decided to go out and take a few more shots of the Public Art today. I wanted to see what "art" there was at Scott Business Pk and Woolsley Business Pk. Its all a bit laughable really, none of the pieces that I've seen and recorded up to now have had any impact on me apart from "Is that It?" I'm finding it hard to believe that the Council have actually commissioned (?) and paid for this stuff. There is so much talent out there and I'm sure that more thought could have been put into the choice and installation of art around Plymouth. I actually find it quite a tragedy that so much money has been wasted and that the art has not been chosen with any kind of discernment. This is obviously only my opinion but I don't believe that I am alone in my thinking.

I have now shot about 35 of the Public Art Pieces; these will be my contribution to the first part of the brief. I have created folders for the images to show to the Client, but I have yet to edit and name them. I'm not sure that my images are sharp enough or that they are shown in the context required by the Client. But I have found it very difficult to photograph the images from straight ahead or to show them clearly in their setting. The Client asked that they were not shot at an angle, but with some of the art, that is actually quite impossible. I have done the best I could to show the pieces in the allocated space and I feel that there is very little more I can do.

The second part of the brief is the "Creative" ... the client has highlighted some pieces for myself and Nicholas to consider photographing for this part. But after my tutorial last week with Tim and Dave, I feel that it is more appropriate to create something a little more original. My intention is to write to the Evening Herald and ask the readers to send me an email giving me their opinions on the Public Art, if indeed they have noticed it or if they even know where the art is. If I do not get enough response for this, I have decided that I may give my own opinions about some of the pieces and I will do this in Book Form. I'm not sure yet if this will be humorous/satirical, or if I will point out how little the art is cared for after it is set in place. I have noticed on so many of the pieces that either the plantation around the piece is completely unkempt, how rusty some of the work has become and there is little or no "aftercare," or I may give a brief factual and statistical informative account, such as who was the Artist, how much did it Cost, when the work was put in place etc. Another idea is to photograph the pieces in a more abstract manner using a Macro Lens to show the rust, graffiti or peeling paint. There are numerous ways I could fulfill the creative brief. At this point I am sifting through ideas.

Here are a few images I shot today.

This sculpture stands at Scott Business Pk. It is inspired by the interaction of water and ice on the underneath of icebergs. Artist Steve Geliot (1967)

Affectionately named by Local People as "Weetabix"

Gates at the Entrance to Scott Business Pk.

Artist Noah Taylor (2003? Exact Date Unknown)

Sculpture of a Figure with a Chain

Woolsley Business Pk

Artist Unknown. Date Unknown.

Back View of Figure with Chain

Stainless Steel Dove Sculpture (2007)

Milehouse Junction

These images were shot early afternoon which is not the best time of day to take photographs, but as my Client wants Blue Skies I have been going out with my camera when the weather conditions are appropriate. I am also having to walk everywhere and it is at this time that I have time to go out. If I can, I may re-shoot some of the pieces.