First Impressions
Was Monday a bank holiday in Scotland or is it just like everywhere else where it’s been assimilated by the need to shop. Really, I despair - what happened to quality time with friends and family. You could have gone to DCA and seen a movie, or some contemporary art which could have enriched your worlds in a much less prosaic way. Why didn’t you go to DCA?
So I wandered around - saw the fact that the library is on the top floor of a shopping centre - don’t you just love town planning! I’m hoping it’s not a statement about how Dundee values books and community etc. The McManus is a good place - beautiful building - in fact Dundee is blessed with lots of beautiful buildings. I ventured over to Olympia and was left wondering what with the lift out of order how would you get in their if you were in a wheel chair. Nor can you access Waterstones upper floor if you aren’t ambulant. Drop kerbs on one side of the road and not the other - interesting.
I was taken by the anti smoking audio outside the university - fantastic. I am going to record it and out it up here.
I met the education team and eventually lots of other people who work at DCA. I was made to feel very welcome. I’m not sure I’m wholly in residence at DCA yet but i was definitely in residence at the cafe for a good few days which provided an interesting window on the world. I met Bunty and Bella who gave me the lead to t ann cake which is a fab cafe in Dundee, as is the Parlour which has no link - pity tho thanks to the woman in waterstones for sending me there.
I got to meet Art Angel the mental health arts workshop/studios and Agent Bowditch at the Rep who is Scottish Dance Agent for Change. All discussions i had with individuals and organisations have proved useful. There is a lot to think about. A lot to respond to. Which is good for me because as a socially engaged text based artist I need dialogues to respond to in order to make my work.
