“LOCK IN”
TOILET GALLERY
APRIL 15TH TO APRIL 22ND 2005
“More exciting than a pickled shark – more daring than a diamond dildo”
‘LOCK IN’ A 7 DAY 24 HOUR A DAY EXPERIMENT IN THE AWARD WINNING – TOILET GALLERY, KINGSTON, LONDON
15TH APRIL 2005 TO 30th APRIL 2005 – LOCK IN FROM FRIDAY 15TH APRIL UNTIL FRIDAY 22nd APRIL – STUDIO OPEN UNTIL 30th APRIL
PAUL WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PRE – BOOKED PRESS INTERVIEWS IN THE SPACE ON THURSDAY THE 14TH OF APRIL OR WITH THE CLINICAL PSYCOLOGIST AND ‘BOUNCERS’ (ONE OF WHICH WILL BE EX-GLADIATOR – RADAR) DURING FRIDAY AFTERNOON THE 15TH OF APRIL FROM 1.30 ONWARDS UNTIL THE COMMENCMENT OF ‘LOCK IN’ AT 6.00. PHONE 07881 832291 OR E-MAIL ABOVE TO BOOK.
PAUL WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THIS CELL PHONE DURING THE EXPERIMENT.
THE PROJECT I will be ‘locked in’ to ‘The Toilet Gallery’ London for one week on the dates above. The gallery space is an L shape, one part of the space will be living quarters the other a working live ‘studio’ space. I have been working on large scale drawings and small sculptures over the past several years (see personal web site) I have always been fascinated when reaching that place of creativity where the edges of reality become blurred. I want to achieve a substantial body of work during the week and enter a concentrated period of engagement where I can record my feelings as well as produce the work in order that I can contribute to the debate on art as therapy, how my experience might add to current knowledge base. Psychometric testing will take place by a clinical psycologist before, during and after my experiment!
TIMETABLE
Thursday 14th of April pre ‘LOCK IN’ press day in set up gallery space complete with hammock, fridge, microwave, chemical toilet etc.
Friday 15th of April from 1.30 onwards press only invited to interview Paul with Bouncers, Clinical Psychologist prior to ‘LOCK IN’ at 6.00.
6.00 Friday 15th Paul locked in to space 24 hours a day until Friday 22nd April
Security presence outside a gallery day and night.
Paul to receive objects via security through hole in Perspex wall within the gallery. Objects no bigger that 250mm X 250mm. Public to indicate whether they wish objects returned intact or whether Paul can ‘destroy’ them if he wishes. Nothing alive or edible allowed as objects.
Wednesday mid sessional psychometric testing with clinical psychologist.
Paul continues to produce his responses to objects donated until climax and close on Friday 22nd of April.
Final session of psychometric testing.
Paul leaves.
Gallery open from Saturday 23rd to Saturday 30th of April for public viewing of space and work produced.
‘Web based’ book produced recording all aspects of the week and aftermath including video footage and photographic documentation.
Making it happen
Toilet Gallery made available to me from 15th April until 30th April 2005.
I have taken research leave from work for the duration of the ‘lock in’. I am organising paid help who will act as curators and receivers of work for the 7 day duration of the project. The project has the support of our sponsors “Domestos” who are funding the buildings electricity/lighting/business rates etc. Each stage of the activity from initial build to the ‘lock in’ itself and the final week when those interested can view the work produced is being carefully orchestrated and planned. All parts are now being put in place. It’s getting very exciting and a bit scary!
I plan to hire a series of professional ‘Bouncers’ dressed in traditional ‘black tie’ to provide security/curatorial support for me as I will be locked in the studio space and unavailable to receive objects donated for me to draw I will also be unavailable to provide a secure exterior and reception point to the building. The bouncers will provide the public interface between me and the outside world. I will be interviewing potential individuals in 2 weeks. They will need to be big and bold to deter local ‘Anti Art Idiots’ who would do me harm!
I will add to the pool of knowledge in relation to Art as therapy, how Artists can help those who have problems. I will be inviting, via the media, people of Kingston and London to interact with me by donating objects which I will draw/paint/write about.
I will invite anyone who wishes to bring me an object of their choice that can be no larger than 250mm’s X250mm’s. I will record, draw or destroy the object incorporating some into individual ‘art works’. I will be ‘live’ on our web cam for interactive chat and debate throughout the project. A ‘downloadable – Book’ will be produced of all the donated pieces, my drawings, the interior space, chemical toilet, hammock, microwave etc. People always have a fascination with Artists studio’s, or seem to, I will open the doors to anyone who wants to come in and see the work and space the week after I exit! (I plan to dress up in different outfits and be in the space in cognito to see what people actually think, I’ll record them on tape and video).
Media
The Toilet Gallery has an extensive media/TV and private mailing list reaching all parts of the media and press. The gallery has been reported, previously in The Times, Guardian, Telegraph, Creative Review, Evening Standard, CBS News across America, Augusta Times, BBC Radio 4, BBC News, Danny Baker Show and all local press. There is an obvious demand for contemporary Art practice that we have made available to a wide audience since our inaugural show. This ‘lock in’ project is designed to further extend that base. Paul will be open and available for press interactivity as previously indicated.
End Game
Paul will to add to the diversity within the arts by focussing on an area previously only touched on, isolation and performance as production vehicle. The project will add to current knowledge of how Art can help others as well as charting unknown territory which will be documented for all to review. It appears to be an area of contemporary public scrutiny with ‘The South Bank Show’ only recently focussing on related activity during its programme in early March. Paul plans to personally add to the debate and go places others have only talked about!
As well as drawing, writing, and making ‘Art’ Paul plans to ‘can’ individual pieces of ‘Art’ and bits of himself, Hair, fingernails, toe-scrapings etc will probably all feature, all soldered in sterilised cans to seal in the goodness. All will be available on the web for those interested. “Will opening the can de-value the contents? Does anyone care, probably not but I’m getting more excited/anxious by the minute” said Paul prior to the event.
‘LOCK IN’ – MARCH 2005
Copyright©2015 Paul Stafford
paul stafford arts 