Saturday 13 April 2013

Lottie Speaks! So far so good...more stars come out to play...

©Laura Noble

Well, it was another wonderful event at L A Noble Gallery Thursday night with Lottie Davies giving a lively talk to an enthralled audience. Rather than a sit down affair we opted for a walk around the space so that each photograph could be looked at & discussed in detail. 


©Laura Noble

It was in fact so popular we are going to do it again! Thursday May 2nd same time 6.30pm - £5 - so if you missed it please do email hello@lauraannnoble.com to book a place as we will run out of them fast!



 ©Laura Noble
Here is a panoramic picture of part of the very large gallery space - taken with my phone - so you get the gist.

I know the work very well, yet - as is always the case with great works of art - they don't reveal themselves all at once. Looking at the work & living with it is great. 

I always miss the work being on the wall when a show is over as it becomes part of my subconcious (as well as my actual daily surroundings) leaving a gap when its not there any more. Call me sentimental, but the bond that grows between a work of art & its owner/gallerist is a very profound thing. This phenomenon is common as many people talk about the work they own as if it were a person, referring to it by slotting its title or pet name/nickname given to it (often due to long titles & quicker to reference). 


©Laura Noble

Hearing an artist speak about their work is often not what one expects. Sometimes the person is not what we pictured or their personality is dramatically different from their work. 

Of course with Lottie I know her & the work, but that does not mean I know everything. Just as I described in an earlier post 'Upon Closer Inspection...' there is a lot more to it than that. Each time Lottie talks about a specific piece I learn more, what joy! This is how it should be. 

 ©Laura Noble
I couldn't decide which pic was best so I thought with/without Lottie, you choose your favourite.

©Laura Noble

For example the behind the scenes bloopers are fascinating & in some cases hilarious. The 'yellow snow' story brings a deeper understanding of the trials of working with babies & fake snow & make you appreciate the achievement seamless image on display just a little bit more. 

Because these works are made from the text people sent to Lottie, they then become something entirely different as she cannot replicate the image in their mind but attempts (& succeeds according to the authors of the texts) to capture the 'feeling' that the person had when they were having the nightmare or at the time of the memory. , but gather other stories of their own along the way that we never even see. Above is the culprit himself. No longer an infant but a very cute little boy called Arlo. 


©Laura Noble

This was in the comments book a few days ago. Now we have many more wonderful messages...thank you everyone. 

Here are a few of them...

©Laura Noble

So the space is large & fits all 12 photographs inside, the whole series for the very first time - importantly on home soil. We should support British photography more in the UK, cherish our talent much more than we do. Lottie Davies is just one of many. Come visit & see why.

©Laura Noble

The discovery of the panoramic feature on my iPhone is somewhat of a revelation (I have only had one a little while) & a very useful feature I must say.

©Laura Noble

Here are another curious pair of observers playing 'spot the Bible'. This has become a regular thing with the word out that it is not easy to find. No-one has yet to do it successfully - you could be the first. Forget where's Wally, where has all the religion gone? 


©Laura Noble

Here is another photo-star, this time Ella now. Then the sleeping girl in 'The Red Devil'. 

So there it is for another post. Do come & see the show & spread the word about it to others. The entrance to the building is around the right hand side if you are facing it. I look forward to seeing you. Portfolio reviews are still being conducted in the gallery as usual, to book one or a place at the talk please email. Till another post....







Monday 8 April 2013

A long time coming....meeting the stars



Well it is finally here, the wonderful & amazing Lottie Davies show, 'Memories and Nightmares' !!!!


What a fabulous opening week we had with 2 previews, lots of wonderful feedback & an artist talk with the lady herself this Thursday at 6.30pm - £5 (If you want to book a place please email hello@lauraannnoble.com to be on the list as they are going fast.) The Cass is easy to find with an entrance around the side of the building. When inside the space there is a great view of The Whitechapel Gallery opposite. Exit Aldgate East tube & take the Met exit. A nice way to spend a Thursday evening I must say, begin at L A Noble Gallery then pop over the road & catch another exhibition! 



©Laura Noble 


The hang was a somewhat pressured affair with a day lost thanks to a Bank holiday, but it was all done in a day with minor tweaks afterwards. I must say a huge thank you to 'Team Noble' for all your help this last week: Rowan, George, Becky, Chris, JasonKatherineCamelia, Beatriz & of course to Lottie.  

©Laura Noble

So first things first on any hang, make sure you know how everyone takes their tea to avoid delays later when parched.


©Laura Noble
When you find a suitable A-Board, make sure any prior notices are removed!      

                                                
©Laura Noble
Measure everything to the last millimetre, even if it takes two of you. Use a spirit level to check as you go as measurements are not enough as no floor is ever level in London it seems...

©Laura Noble

Here the middle of the print is held with a piece of foam so that no hands touch the print. I am a firm believer in gloves, but not cotton ones, they collect lint & scratch things, namely photographs.

©Laura Noble

Curating the show was an interesting affair & the space is a great size, giving all 12 large works space to breathe. Seating is placed around the gallery people to sit & contemplate if they wish. After seeing the Sugimoto show at the Serpentine Gallery years back I loved the benches in the middle of the space. Never have I seen the gallery so quiet. About time photography got a look in on the meditative angle of things in gallery spaces I thought, it's not just Rothko that can have this effect. Davies' images are so multi-faceted it takes a long view to really get into the work, so why not give the audience the opportunity? 


                                               
©Laura Noble
       Chris looks in awe at the magic sign.

The  Contravision window poster is an amazing thing, letting light inside but appearing opaque on the outside, thanks to lots of tiny holes. Many thanks to Lawrence at Tapestry & Martin who put it up for me, fabulous job & 2 lovely gents. 

©Laura Noble
Camelia stands ready for action

The table set and we were ready to go, the rest of the pictures from the evening will be posted later & on the gallery Facebook page.

©Laura Noble
The Saturday Private View was a very British affair with tea & cake. The vintage china teacups & saucers were provided by Rare & Racy . They were a wonderful afternoon accompaniment to the busy event. 
©Laura Noble

One of the absolute highlights for me was meeting the models in the photographs & some of the people whose dream or nightmare was depicted by Lottie. 

©Laura Noble

The twins, Eleanor & Daizy were absolutely charming girls who told me that they were 7 when the photo was taken & are now 10. They also said the wigs itched & it was hard to keep their faces straight for the photograph. I suspect there was a lot of giggling between takes. 

©Laura Noble

Caroline stood in front of her nightmare loved work & was wickedly funny. 


©Laura Noble


Lottie will have to tell me the name of this lovely young lady Olivia, who proudly posed for me minus the bonnet which she wears in this photograph, 'The River'. What an amazing image to be part of.

©Laura Noble


Adorable still, perhaps even moreso as baby Maria is all grown up in front of the image she appears in 5 times 'Quints'. 



©Laura Noble


Then Jack, who I was informed hates having his picture taken but I managed to coax a smile from. 

Each had their own tale to tell about taking part in the making of the photograph, which propels the work further as a never-ending spiral of stories linking one person, dream or memory to another & on to the next.....

I expect there will be many more at Lottie's talk on Thursday. Be sure to come & get up close & personal to both the work & the artist & see what other anecdotes unravel.