The Wrap

Sitting in the airport typing away at my last blog post.

What was the outcome of the last month? Where to next?

On Friday night (following happy hour at the Speakeasy brew-pub) I had a rambling conversation with Charlie - proprietor of the Boxshop. I asked him how he got started and what I should do if I wanted to start a workshop back home.

We talked about some different models based on some examples around the Bay Area. They are, basically, commercial, educational and not-for-profit. Charlie's main point was that he started the shop because he wanted to make art. That sounds similar to my motivation. It also leads to certain outcomes.

Under the commercial model you need to tender and source jobs pretty much just like I do in my day job and then you aren't guaranteed of getting the kind of work you want to be doing anyway e.g.  lots of town entrance gateways.

The educational model probably requires certification of some sort and if the main focus is on teaching then the art is likely to play second fiddle.

The NFP model requires that you build a community, but it is a community that is focussed on creating art. This sounds like something I could do, and in Australia NFPs don't get a half-bad deal.

So if I go with the NFP model that means that I need to find a workspace. Charlie's advice was that you just need power and a toilet and you are good to go. The Boxshop principle of having containers in a yard is pretty easy to do. Actually it reminds me of a very basic version of Cashell Mall, Christchurch, NZ
after the city was flattened by an earthquake.

There's Renew Adelaide who might help out but to be honest they do seem to have a focus on finding small unused shops for arty startups rather than a community-based workshop. In any case, the premise of Renew Adelaide is to fill unused space - until someone wants to use it, then you are booted out.

Commercial property seems a bit too expensive but is one of the few ways of securing property for the longer term.

Once a place is secured how do I go about building a community? What kind of projects do we do?

At least in Adelaide we are lucky enough to have the Adelaide Fringe Festival - an open access arts festival (open access if you can pay the registration fee!). With sufficient negotiation with council I'm sure we could secure a location to let off some fire effects. On the other hand, perhaps the authorities may not be too happy with burning things during summer (Total Fire Ban days). Well then, lets not use fire (sad I know) but the same solenoids can just as easily turn a stream of water on or off - Hey! I wonder if you can mix fire and water? Anyway, the point being that there is always a time when the art could be displayed.

There's also SALA Festival. Or we could even truck the work over to the Regional Burning Man Festival.

I'm pretty sure there's an audience for this kind of thing!

How do we get people? Place an advert in the local paper. Facebook groups. Stage event parties. Crowd-funding.

The problems are not insurmountable.

Charlie's advice was "Just go for it, man!"

Last Day with the FLG

Today was my last day with the FLG.

I caught the bus to the Boxshop and on the way I was thinking "I'm leaving tomorrow......this doesn't seem real." I walked into the shop knowing it was my last time. I made a point of drinking in the look, the smell, the feel of the place. Last. Time.

Then back to work...

It was actually a pretty quiet day. Not that many people showed up except for the stalwart crew.

I didn't tackle anything new today but I did flit around between different things I've been working on over the last month.

Sue is mostly complete and Clyde is beginning to be formed....

The first flange of Clyde

 I "helped" Lance nut out some aspects for the sound and light mushrooms...

Chalk drawings on the metal work bench during conversation with Lance about the S+L mushrooms

The casters were at it again. I helped them lift casting boxes, pack some sand and assist in the pour.

Robert asked me to give him a hand just one more time with the bark. This time for layer C. (The bark. Oh my god! The never-ending bark!)

And I ended the day by grinding some slag off the skin for the fire mushrooms.

After 6 or 7 ground "skins" I was interrupted in my grinding by Margaret who told me that Babs wanted to have a word with me. It was a bit late and most of the FLG had pushed off home but there was a small handfull of stallwarts still going. They presented me with a plaque encased in bark - of all things! Did I mention that some have been referring to me as "King of Bark" (I'm not sure that's the best Playa name ever but I'll take it!)? It was very sweet.

Parting gift from the FLG

 So, I leave the Box Shop and the Flaming Lotus Girls. They are currently in a pretty sticky situation. It's a big build and there is still lots to do but I feel they are close to achieving most of their goals. Last week I was pessimistic about that but a big push from everyone seems to have yielded results. I feel confident that I leave the FLG in a better state than when I arrived. That I have contributed in some small way to that success, and, that they will ultimately complete this monumental  sculpture.

When I first discovered the FLG I read that they made monumental sculpture. At the end of my time here I have to say it is not just monumental - their work is impressively large, sturdy and enduring.