whatsthebigmistry is playing by the sea at USF Verftet
PLAYING BY THE SEA: whatsthebigmistry (U.K) Live Art/ Performance /Visual Art/ Off site Aritist In Residence whatsthebigmistry (Priya Mistry) has been playing by the sea…… An apartment that opens out onto the sea. Waking to waves & very big hills!!! This week whatsthebigmistry waved at a speedboats, sailboat, catamarans & canoeist as they sailed past. Accomodation is small in dimensions but it opens out onto the world....! Mistry´s staple diet is WAFFLES with jam and cream, BIG ONES with square shapes in them.
whatsthebigmistry has been concocting playful experiments in her studio that overlooks the sea. It's so calm out the window. Mistry doubts anyone sitting at the waterside Kafé Kippers below can imagine how much mess is being made in the studio above their heads :). Beats of music are falling out of the computer. Meanwhile Mistry musters- huge fingers & spiders & creatures & cardboard & cats & wet suits! Fur, cut- outs, boxes, beards & balloons! All splayed, hanging or stuck to the wall or falling off the window.
What am I making? I'm making a mess…
Whist on residency at USF whatsthebigmistry´s exploration originate in the spectacle of the travelling fairs and sideshow attractions, menagerie, automata, bands and promenade. Mistry envisages inventing mobile contraptions and mythical creatures inspired by the local history and people. whatsthebigmistry´s explorations, are obviously taking lots of twists and turns. Mistry is embarking on multiple investigations and using the time here on residency to really play AND to meet with other artists active in the city...and play with them too. Mistry´s work and process is synonymous with collaboration and exploring new ways of creating original & exciting ideas.
Broken Artist
After only one week in Bergen whatsthebigmistry was in a some what broken and sorry state….. Mistry was out pursuing adventure activities. You know the sort. Splashing about with wellies in the sea, pooing in wooded holes and scrambling up rocks. Out on an island, a lovely picnic was had. Mistry was scrambling down from a rock face when the incident occurred. No alcohol had been consumed, only a banana. This is when she 'stepped over'-twisted and landed on her ankle. The ankle became swollen as though housing an oversized ping-pong ball!
DIAGNOSIS: Fractured ankle PRESCRIPTION: A cast, crutches and lots of drugs for pain:(
whatsthebigmistry is not deterred by her accident and remains in Bergen and is seeking out 'ALTERNATE MODES OF TRANSPORT' to get her up the hill to the city.
Does anyone have a BOAT..... with wheels?
whatsthebigmistry & Norway
whatsthebigmistry has been bridging links in Norway and has already featured at BIT/ Teatergarajen and the Art of Hospitality Residency at Tou Scene in Stavanger. In Winter 2008 Mistry was invited to Tou Works (TW), a series of new-art-productions at Tou Scene, Center for Contemporary Arts, Stavanger, Norway. The project was supported and in collaboration with Stavanger2008 European Capital of Culture. Mistry is also working in association with local Bergen artist Agnes Nedregard. Both are part of the artist collective - Lab Group stationed at the CCA/Centre for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow. On residency Mistry will extend connections and collaborations with artists.
The Mission Statement
whatsthebigmistry is a multidisciplinary artist and project manager working experimentally in the fields of live art, performance, theatre, dance, mix media and fine art/ visual art forms. WTBM looks to work across the boundaries of art forms to find exciting new expression. Projects are located in a variety of settings from the more formal art spaces including theatres, galleries/ art venues to public space, public buildings and virtual/ web space. Encompassed are the mediums of performance/theatre, photography, multimedia, film, fine art, installation, sound, movement and text. What has formed is an innovative and adventurous style that plays with and challenges audiences. Generating collaborations and exchanges with other artists is a key activity to continue the development of diverse and explorative practice. Mistry committed to the discussion of contemporary arts practice in order to lift it’s profile and spread practice amongst young people and build audiences.
WTBM recognises the intelligence and complexities of audiences and as such strives to produce works that are respectful of this.
• The aim is to take risks & make new explorations and challenges that are not restricted. Enhance one’s ability to cultivate new, exciting experiences
• Make work that is progressive and truly challenging to audiences
• Produce and deliver original works, pursue excellence in all aspects of work, pursue innovation, in terms of both form and content
• Prioritise the importance of collaboration and difference of experience
• Engage in rigorous research and development to produce skilled works of art that are coherent and relevant
• Make art that is of value to diverse audiences
4-5 2009