Mike Murray….
Initially I really liked the idea of creating an open source object, like for example: ‘Open cola’ www.colawp.com . Before visiting the ‘Tannery’, I thought it would be interesting to look at ideas around the fetish. Having read up a bit about Freud’s ideas on the Fetish a few years ago. I thought I’d start researching it properly and I found this interesting video on youtube : http://youtu.be/t1PCXuBfEB0
I started looking at different objects that have a clear link to Tanneries, so I started studying my wallet with my trusty watercolour set, experimenting with ideas of the fetish. Then found my very old but in very good nick, large leather suitcase in the loft and started looking at that and I found two cheerleader pom poms in there. The juxtaposition of those two objects gave me several avenues of ideas, none of which felt right.
Then, I started thinking about the practicalities of installation and realised that a digital projection might be a much more interesting avenue to explore. Therefore, I’ve started experimenting with 3D animation software ‘Bryce’. This is an ‘open source software’ which is free to download from the internet. Every year they offer developed versions, now at Bryce 7. The internet also offers a host of ready made objects for this program in which you can import and manipulate as you wish.
My title comes from the film ‘Pulp fiction’, Zed’s a character on the film who is a police chief by trade, but in his spare time has his own gimp locked away in the basement of a shop…. you all know the film.
In the last month I was very sad to hear that a well known small record shop had to close its doors on the now almost desolate Bangor High Street (N. Wales). This is the shop where all us locals would buy our albums and tickets for local gigs. It was the place for youth/ music culture. It such a shame how edge of the City retail outlets are killing our smaller Towns and City High streets. Is Bangor High Street to become a place to visit only at night, whilst intoxicated?