Preparations for SAW 2013: Westcott Farm Update

Those of you that regularly read the SAW blog will no doubt have read about the 'Artists Walks' that took place earlier in the year at Westcott Farm. As art week rapidly approaches the exhibition is now more of a reality for those artists involved. During the past months they have been industrious creating work inspired by the landscape at the farm, however now it is time to start thinking about the logistics - who is going to exhibit in which farm building, when will the exhibition go up, who is going to 'man' the venue each day...

To make the meeting less of a meeting Lyn invited everyone to an informal lunch to be cooked out in the open at a barn they like to call 'Elephant Camp.' I originally planned not to write a post about the day, simply enjoy the afternoon, but when a couple of artists started discussing which mud was best suited to use for their sculptures it occurred to me that this is what I have loved about attending the walks, these are wonderful conversations that you just don't generally experience on a daily basis and this what visitors to SAW also thoroughly enjoy. So along with mud collecting the day was also an opportunity to test out certain ideas and mow yet another cut of the labyrinth in the orchard.

Westcott farm is Venue 28 and will be open daily (except Tuesdays) throughout the festival from 11am until 6pm. If you would like to explore the farm a little more and see the landscape that inspired the paintings and installations on show then there will be an opportunity for you to join an Artists walk on Saturday 5th October. Why not make a day of it?  View the artwork in the morning, walk the labyrinth, bring a flask and sandwiches and then join the walk at 2pm. The event is free but please do book a place by contacting Lyn on 01984 623274.

If you are still curious about which mud was decided 'best' then I suggest you ask Lucy! Oh all right then mole hill mud...

Earlier posts on Westcott Farm

ART ON THE FARM February 2013

WALKING AND TALKING WITH TREES April 2013

THE MAZE OF ARTWEEK August 2013

    

Westcott Farm is obviously only one venue in the 109 that are participating in this year's festival - they too are all busy making those final plans before opening to the public.

To plan which venues you would like to visit simply refer to the SAW Website or request a FREE brochure by sending a S.A.E (postage value £1.10) to 

SAW Town Hall Langport Somerset TA10 9QR

All Aboard the SAW Mystery Tour!

Not long now until those distinctive yellow signs start appearing in Somerset, inviting curious visitors to venture down lanes that perhaps were previously unexplored - at the end you will always be assured of creative surprises and an artistic welcome. Some visitors plan their art route down to the last detail, knowing exactly which artists and disciplines they wish to see. Others go with the flow, if they spot a yellow sign en-route to another venue they simply pop in not knowing what will be waiting for them - ceramics, jewellery, paper sculpture, collage...

If you would like your Art Week experience to be even more adventurous and are happy to submit yourself whole heartedly to the ethos then perhaps we can tempt you on a little 'Mystery Tour.' Intrigued, up for an inspiring journey, happy to let someone else do the driving? Then this could be just what you are looking for. 

On Saturday 28th September the SAW Mystery Tour will be taking visitors to view challenging and cutting edge contemporary art, including digital media, sound, performance and installations across the county.  

The day costs £20 per person which includes lunch and transportation. Not wishing to give too much away I can only tell you that the bus will leave Langport mid morning and return late afternoon. 

This could be just what you are looking for if you are overwhelmed by the many events and locations that Art Week offers - SAW has joined the dots, mapped the route and selected for you, you haven't even got to pack a picnic! It is also an opportunity to view Art Week with other like minded adventurers - to me it sounds an ideal way to explore the county's creativity.

Spaces are limited so I suggest that if you are interested you book your seat NOW by either ringing the SAW office on 01458 253800 or emailing admin@somersetartworks.org.uk 

Go on do it now - be adventurous!

What will you discover when you walk the maze of Art Week?

Open this year's SAW brochure at page 24 and there are two venues printed opposite each other that both invite you to enter into and journey through the maze - 

VENUE 26: LEAH HISLOP AT ALLER FARMHOUSE

As part of this year's Abundance Garden Trail  artist Leah Hislop has been paired with the grounds at Aller Farmhouse near Williton. Influenced by the gardens many hidden areas which lend it a maze like quality Leah is to create her own  woven labyrinth. The work is to be installed during art week and visitors are encouraged to walk within, escape from the outside world and be lost therein. Some may seek a spiritual journey knowingly others may find it unwittingly as Labyrinths are often symbolic to the journey one makes in life to seek 'The Abundant Life.'

To learn more of Leah's progress and what motivates her creative process do visit the Abundance blog. Here you may also catch up with the other artists who are busy creating installations for this year's festival. Leah will naturally be on site at Aller during Art Week and will be more than happy to chat with you about her work, the myths and tales inspired by weaving and the meditative state that such contemplative work can occasionally bring.  

*Please note there is an admission fee of £4.00 (children free) to visit Aller Gardens which will be donated to the National Garden Schemes charities. An Abundance Pass priced at £20 is available from the SAW office. This will gain you entrance to all the particiapating gardens, 10% discount on all purchases of work at the Abundance X Exhibition, invites to special events and private views including Abundance Feast, plus entry into a prize draw.

  
VENUE 28: CHRISTOPHER JELLEY AT WESTCOTT FARM

Christopher Jelley had to wait for the daffodils in the orchard to finish flowering before he could start installing his maze for art week. After the initial plotting out and the first two cuts with the ride on mower the outline began to take shape in subtle shades of green. No doubt with all this warm weather and plentiful rain the path is in no dispute and perfectly clear for those who wish to navigate it's path. 

Inspired by the Labyrinth's ability to focus ones mind and to promote new myths and tales Christopher will be leaving his 'Teasing Tags' for each walker to ponder whilst they journey to the centre. The answer revealed can then be written on the card and hung on the apple tree which awaits at the end of your journey. Those that wish to do so are also encouraged to walk the path barefoot. 

Artist Gordon Field will also be installing his 'viewing boxes' along the route which will make you look upon the trees at Westcott farm in a different light.  

Alongside the maze the farm outbuildings will house a varied selection of work from the artists that attended the 'Westcott Walks' earlier in the year. You too are invited to join Lyn Mowat on one of these walks on Saturday 5th October at 2pm. There is no fee for this event but please do wear suitable footwear.

Christopher and Lyn have grand plans for November when the maze in the orchard will be the venue for a special 'FRIENDS of SAW' event - so do watch this space.

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