prequel

Pouch Cove - NL
A0A 3L0
29 September, 2003

Greetings,
I am applying for the Gros Morne Artist in Residence Programme.

When travelling through Terra Nova in early September, I felt disoriented. Looking at the great vistas and the macro cosmic scenes, I found that I was at a loss. I was racing to and from Gander and wish that I had more time.

I have a feeling that Gros Morne would have the same effect. I say "a feeling", as I like to approach an area with relative ignorance. I make as concrete as possible my feelings, prejudices and what I expect to encounter as I find that my work comes from the point where my notions are confronted with actuality. I also realised that the way that I come to terms with an area is to look at it micro cosmically. I plan to narrow my vision and look at the intimate rather than the infinite.

Thinking about the application this year, I have decided to take a bigger risk. I plan on bringing a 10x8 inch camera to increase the size of the images. Due to this, everything becomes exponentially more difficult. The basic outfit will weigh 20 kilos. I shall still use the studio as a "lightroom" the process that I shall use - platinotypes -doesn't need a darkroom. For some time I have been threatening to pursue a “slow” photography movement – not so much as a negation of the rapidly growing digital realm – I encourage this growth as it makes image making more accessible – but as an option, a way of not rushing when the world seems to be speeding up.

I have come to realise that I am a bookmaker and I like them intimate but for this residency, while I still want to make an artists book - hateful term - I would like the image to be of a size that they play with the intimacy of the images themselves. I want the images to communicate one to one with the viewer without them seeming like secrets.

When would I like to come? Ideally the months that I cannot due to my teaching commitments in the States - May, September and October. I feel that it when the most changes take place. Since I cannot come then, any other month would be fine. I'm not saying this from disillusionment but welcoming the unknown and belief in chance and the serendipitous. To be clear June and July are best. I have to return to teach the last week in August. I am not sure if you stick to calendar months. If not I am free the last week in May to the last week in August.

How long would I like to stay? All summer but again realistically, a month would be the ideal compromise for the sake of marital bliss.

I shall abide by all the guidelines. If I do venture into the backcountry, I shall make sure that I meet all requirements and provide my own supplies.

As for open studio time for the public, anytime that I am in the studio people are welcome. The processes are slow enough that it allows for chatting and the exchange of ideas, which is important in my working method. My curiosity is born from talks with people. As the process can be done in the light I am more accessible. I could lead workshops in -non darkroom photography - pinhole cameras, cyanotypes, and photograms - as well as book making.

Feeling that work is only valid when it gets a chance to communicate, and since I use a medium that can be infinitely reproduced, I am more than willing to donate a finished series to the Art Gallery of Newfoundland and Labrador.


Thanks again for looking at the packet. Again sorry for the length but I am fully aware of the risk that you have to take when inviting someone to be part of the residency and want you to have as honest an application as possible to make the decision.


If you need references people who know my work are
James Baird - jbaird@jamesbaird.com

R. Clarke-Davis
rc-d.com

P.S. The packet enclosed is made so that it doesn't have to be returned. They are pigmented inkjet prints and thus cheap and highly reproducible. It is an attempt to save you postage, please dispose of it when you are finished with it. There is no need to send it back.

great pre christmas present

From: "Caroline Stone"
Subject: Gros Morne residency
Date: Fri, 24 Dec 2004 11:10:51 -0330



To R. Clarke-Davis. Hello. You are shortlisted to be one of the
artists in residence at Gros Morne National Park in the summer of 2005.
Pending logistical approval from Parks Canada, would the dates of
Tuesday, July 12 to Tuesday, August 16, 2005 suit you? I am out of
the office until January 5, so email back at your convenience and we'll
communicate in the New Year. Happy Holidays. Caroline Stone, Art
Gallery of Newfoundland and Labrador