I have moved to substack and all new content will be posted there, not here:
https://tomgrey638462.substack.com/
As well as being a more popular, modern platform, substack also allow you to subscribe by email. Annoyingly, setting up a custom domain costs money, so I won't be doing that unless I become wildly popular!
Leaving blogger feels weird, like leaving a house you grew up in, but everything comes to an end, sooner or later.
This will be the last post on this blog, after this, I'll be moving to substack:
https://tomgrey638462.substack.com/
As well as being a more popular, modern platform, substack also allow you to subscribe by email. Annoyingly, setting up a custom domain costs money, so I won't be doing that unless I become wildly popular!
Fittingly (and by design!) I want to use this last post to analyse the feedback on my 5-minute video. Overall I was very happy with the video, and very flattered by the feedback, comments, and praise it received.
A number of people alluded to the slight uncanny aspects of the video, and the juxtaposing of conflicting emotions and messages. Someone described it as being "fairytale like" which was an interesting comment as I hadn't seen it that way, but I agree, and I actually really like the idea - maybe it's something I should explore further.
Several people commented on the AI voices, and their effectiveness to promote the uncanny feeling through the tension between the 'inhuman' and the human emotions, and between the perceived age of the female voice, and the complex emotions she describes. Someone wondered who the female voice represented - it's an interesting question as I felt very sure she needed to be female, but I'm not sure why.
A few people complemented the narrative, which was lovely, and someone said they liked the use of technology in a subtle and balanced way to tell the story. Someone said it was "complex but considered" which I really liked. Dee said they thought it was actually a very positive message about enjoying and embracing life, which I was very pleased by.
as a ...maker I need ...to know if you have considered using what you have been able to construct using technology to the build something in a real world setting based on the digital environment in the work.
as a friend I need to say how interesting your journey has been. The video reminds me of where you started from and that you have stayed true to yourself whilst wandering in the woods!
as a fellow artist I need you to show this film at the grad show please. It is so poweful.
as a ... Curator I need ... I need to see more of this work. I thought it was Brilliant as a stand alone piece too
as a ...curator I need ..you to show this film maybe to other people who grieve or who have grieved. It is a realists film understanding the process of death without sentimentality
as a friend There is a quiet strength in how you approach such a complex subject. Rather than turning away from the unknown, your work leans in, asking meaningful questions and holding space for both pain and beauty.
as a lover of the countryside and children's voices - I love the marriage of these voices, the gorse, the use of yellow against grey - the wobbly camera along the footpaths, is unnerving, with the voiceover - in fact I find all your video unnerving (in the most positive way) - unsettling, dark - but light - the different voices really brought it all together - it's clever - your use of digital is very clever. I need ...nothing more from you.
as a ...fellow artist this was an absolute finale. I loved everything about this work and hope you got more peace from making it. I need ... more films
as an artist I appreciate the way you use technology in your work as part of the concept and in relation to the content, it's integrated not just being used for the sake of it
as a ... gallerist I need ... it is both your wide ranging practice as a maker of things, of objects, of material stuff AND the digital, the technical innovation -- this is excitign and I want to see more
as a ... art viewer I need ... I wonder what you would title this film if it was seen in a gallery - the title could give direction, a hint to the audience
as a ... curator I need ... to see this and more films in a gallery setting, the way it combines elements of you r art practice into a poetic structure is amazing
as a viewer/fan of your work I need to see your films (two or three different films) projected on a large scale onto multiple walls in a 'white cube' room where the viewer can curate their own experience while being immersed in your work.
as a ...? I need ... to know where people go to discuss grief - between themselves not monologue
as a ...friend I need ...you to consider creative writing to move alongside your other creative practice you obviously have a talent for it
as a ... grieving human I need ... to sit with this film for a long time - thank you
as a filmmaker I need to see more video work from you! Your talent in storytelling is truly remarkable (not just from this video, I've known that a long time :P). Fresh, original, sensitive, humorous, deep and very clever. SHOW IT AT THE GRAD SHOW!!!
as a fellow artist I need to say how pleased I am that you have found your way from tech into art and then combining the two! The art world is 'richer' with your contribution. Thank you!
