it grew

Blog-lag apologies! I will post more images and entries post-Kolkata.

Last week was so busy with installing, the opening and then recovering. I think everyone has gone into hibernation for a few days.

I will also post Paula's wall text that gives a very good explanation of her curatorial premise.

I'm off to Flury's for a coffee then an afternoon nap.

sylvia

I've just finished installing 'the vanishing'.

It's part of the show 'Stains on my Chintz', curated by Paula Sengupta and opens tomorrow night at the Harrington Street Arts Centre.

I'm sitting at the computer, and there is a lot of discussion going on down there, Archana's laugh, Tamal's calling out and giving instruction. Dharminder is up the ladder and ten people telling him 'up, down, right, left'.

Happy with the work, in spite of the 5,000 glass bullets still floating out there somewhere on the Indian Ocean.

Sylvia rang about one hour ago. She and Graham arrived tonight. That's her, circa 1940. Hand coloured sepia. I must ask her if she remembers the studio.

I'm about to go out and meet Andrea at the airport, then go home to the Bella Vista and flake.

Chelo!

working hard

I've been trying to write but hands are busy right now. Day two of installing for 'Stains on my Chintz' ... great title!

All works behaving badly, in particular the tiger. The velvet sea is almost done and I'm not leaving the gallery till it's finished.

Oh yes, look at that verandah. My room is just opposite where I'm sitting and sewing.

masala chai

I didn't realise I'd missed my chai on the run stops till I had my first cup on Tuesday morning.
The hot sweet tea, the rough terracotta cup, standing and sipping. A quick pick-me-up.

It's great to be back here in Kolkata, though my time is not so leisurely as before. It's full steam ahead. We begin installing for the exhibition on Tuesday, with four days to complete, and it opens on Saturday 6th Feb, which is also Dominic's birthday.

I'm going into Harrington Street Art Centre this afternoon, to measure up the fireplace and make a template for the velvet spill. Still sewing.

red sea

Bags packed, somewhat overweight.

Contents:

25 kg of glass

6 metres red velvet, gathered and stitched

1 pair scissors

pins

thread - pink and red

Clothes, shoes, yoga mat, notebooks

Heaven's Edge by Romesh Gunesekera,

laptop (almost).

Arriving Kolkata 7.30 pm tonight.

Twelve days till the opening of 'Stains on my Chintz'.

ghost in the machine

no diversion, no distraction

says the sewing machine oracle

no zig zag, no reverse

straight stitch only

going forward

afloat

5,000 or 1,000 invisible objects ... sea or air ... somewhere afloat on the Indian Ocean.