a field student of tongue in cheek communiques

For the E17 Art Trail Blog - here

Field Studies in Progress - Spot 148 (Events and Performances)

1. Please tell us about the work you will be showing in the 2011 E17 Art Trail. Did you respond to this year’s theme “On Your Marks”? What impact do you think the Olympics will have on E17? 

Last and quite possibly least in the art trail guide is, Field Study’s Man in E17, aka Julian Beere, of Lost and Found in E17 obscurity. He is in the process of preparing a series of actions or ‘field studies’ as part of his plotting and plodding the ways of the foot in E17.

The field studies involve a variety of mark making processes constituting what might be spurious research into the psycho geography of the area - a 1:1 mapping or survey in readiness for the 2012 Olympic gold rush and after.

It is likely there will be more visitors to Walthamstow some of whom will be lost or close to being lost. The prospect of getting really lost in Walthamstow via certain counter cultural Situationist art strategies appeared promising until, distressingly, news arrived of ‘neighbourhoodists’ who will greet and guide visitors. What has happened to the joys of not knowing where you are or where you are going, Field Study’s Man in E17 implores?

2. What challenges (if any) did you face in realising this work? 

There is the constant challenge of maintaining a sufficient and appropriate sense of fantasy, pretence, delusion and lack of direction in the field studies in the build up to the games.

3. What do you like about E17 and why? Is there anything you would change about the area? 

Some places in Walthamstow smell fantastically; they have really hummed. Field Study’s Man in E17 has been working on an olfactory training programme that will enable him to guide (for those who insist on being guided) visitors to the enhanced fragrances of and about the town. He looks forward to the day when a complete stranger approaches him and says, take me to the best smell in town. Julian Beere has just quipped the only visitors are in your head. There may be some truth in that.

Fewer cars and better driving would improve the area a great deal. More people walking at night looking up at the stars and the aeroplane lights.

4. Who and/or what inspires you? 

People with ideas, energy, creativity and determination to make them happen - Cris, Laura and Morag of Artillery and the E17 Art Trail are among them. There is also the motley crew of Organiclea and Hornbeam - heroes of the ultra local vegetable scene. Can Field Study’s Man in E17 say he is inspired by them? To say yes to ‘inspired’ may be undue flattery on his part - admiration and respect absolutely.

5. What advice would you give to aspiring artists?

Field Study’s Man in E17 advises all aspiring artists to keep aspiring.