SOCLE, in Hindsight

Last Tuesday was the grand private view of Socle. I got there early to check out the space and was pleasantly surprised. Despite edging on the wrong side of derelict, the place had been scrubbed thoroughly, and the flattering opaque roof-windows filled the space with delicate but wealthy sunlight.

I marked out my spot, so my dimensions could be sprayed on, and installed my work. The floor was cold and damp, and the building home to a number of pigeons, all of which were to add to the piece - I returned at the weekend, and was happier with the piece now it had undergone the treatment only such a space could lend.

The rest of the show was good; and the strict curation dictated an aesthetic to the exhibition that really took me by surprise. Perhaps exhibitions on the whole are traditionally laid out in such a way as to lay subservient to the majesty of the work; with varying spaces around each piece being in in/direct relation to its notoriety/value. Socle certainly wasn't; which was refreshing, since it didn't seem to forcibly suggest anything in its place. All the work felt like it had been given prime spot, and could be enjoyed independent; something in my opinion, important to any large-group show.

A step taken back, and the room looked like an installation in itself, with vibrant works seemingly floating above the dull grey floor; think Cornelia Parker in colour. At night, the roof lighting and portable floods did a good job of making the intensely freezing warehouse feel like the campfire we all needed.

Thanks to the hosts of the event must also be forthcoming, as the reception area was lovely; warm and busting with good beer/cheer. Help was incredibly on hand to release my homeboy 's bike, which he had locked with broken key to railings on the site. I understand this was a 30min job in very cold conditions - way beyond the call of duty.

Ultimately the whole thing worked, and I am really proud to have been a part of it. Jason Kerley yet again, proves his wizardous talents.



1. The space, on my arrival.
2. Jason and Selina Kerley.
3. Sarah Penney installing her piece.
4. #3 (from the Crimewatch series). Oliver Topple.
5.The space at night.

Photos by me, Thomas Howard and Selina Kerley.

SOCLE

Socle is an exhibition curated by Jason Kerley. Thirty exhibitors were chosen from a list of applicants at random, and then allocated a space - either wall or floor, with precise dimensions again, chosen at random.

I managed to get a spot, and got given a floor space of 188x182cm. Since my work is almost always to be viewed either on a wall, or on a screen, I have to say its been quite a challenge within the relatively short timeframe... but... I returned from the printers today happy with what they had realised for me. I am using an image from my Crimewatch series (see a few posts down, below); and will post images of the finished piece once installed.



Private View:

18:15 TUESDAY 19th JANUARY 2010 ~ 1-15 High Street, Bow London, E3 (somewhere between the S and the T in Eastenders)

ALL WELCOME

BUS: 25 / TUBE: Bow Church/Bow Road

I would like to think this event will be a storm, the exhibition runs through til early Feb; click HERE for facebook reps; though to be fair, this is all feeling rather a lot like facebook as it is.

Collarbone Magazine

Brixton waitress, good friend and arbiter of badness, illustrator Sarah Penney has started up a rather dishy little zine called Collarbone. I have been lucky enough to have been given a regular feature, so please check the blog HERE, and sniff out a copy.

Oliver Topple Digital

I have gotten to a stage where a job is quite high on my wants list, and as this blog becomes more egomaniacal, I have decided to set up a purely portfolio-style page, on which I can flex my tech.

I have decided to maintain an element of concept in the work I upload, and am aware of the implications of what I am doing, and what others in my position do. So please have a look, HERE.

Film Posters

Since college, I have had a fascination with film posters. I have done various works involving the medium of the poster and will most certainly do more.

When first asked to curate a show, I became very aware of my own ability to judge and critique work - I realised now I had a voice to speak through my opinion alone. I liked this, and wanted to make some work on it for the show.

The location for the show was a bar, with various areas dedicated to flyers and promo posters. I put together these (below), which I hid amongst the other bits.

I was at first reluctant to upload them on to here due to their slightly coarse nature, but I'm sure it's nothing you won't have heard in the playground/at a football match/at your local bus station, before.