There are occasions in life when I’m not sure how seriously to take events. On Thursday I am going to be visited by a film crew who are intending to make a film about my work.
Before you get too excited I have to tell you that this is a project proposed by a group of students on a media studies course at the local university. We are definitely not in the Steven Spielberg or David Attenborough league here! I understand that this to be an element of their assessment, and it is clear that they are taking it very seriously. A team of three will turn up at the house in order to interview me and look at some of my work, and they propose to film the exhibition in Bradford Cathedral later on.
For me, however, I can’t escape entirely the feeling of unreality about this. This kind of thing just doesn’t happen to me. I have, even so, been giving it some thought, in anticipation, because if they take it seriously then I must do so also. What kind of questions will they ask? How will I pitch the level of explanation? Clearly writing an “artist’s statement” for an exhibition is a very different kind of exercise. Because they have chosen this topic for their assessment I have an obligation to taker them seriously, and I can only suppose that they would not have chosen this project unless they have already some serious interest in art. What level of knowledge or interest can I assume in responding to their questions?
There is certainly an air of unreality about the idea. I do know one thing, however, and that is that whatever it is that they learn from this project, I will learn at least as much. I’ll let you know.