the weatherproject

As part of the Foundation course at BCVA, we were set a project brief for over the Christmas vacation: the weather.

As a result I set about exploring different ideas: crystal growing in the spare room (from weather modification and cloud seeding); layers of cardboard and masking tape (sea-stacks and erosion); as well as that good old favorite the shipping forecast.

The first jarful

At some stage in the proceedings I decided I wanted to put some weather in a jam jar. Being in Southampton at the time, I asked my sister if she would take me to the beach. Not seeming to mind that a) the beach was about 30 minutes drive away or b) it was getting close to midnight, she obliged [cheers Lizzy!] and the first weather sample was collected. (erm, apologies to the fishermen.)

From Calshot Spit you can look across the Solent to the Isle of Wight. Just try not to inhale too deeply because the outgoing tide leaves behind all manner of green gunk and that distinctive Calshot whiff.

Inspired by this success, two more collections followed…

SCENE 2 [interior]

Having been at home for Christmas, Nikki is now packing her bags before visiting a friend’s family en route back to Birmingham.

Nikki:

Yeah, I’m nearly ready. Oh, could you just put some weather in this jar for me?

Mum: [having encountered art projects before, sighs]

OK. Where from?

Nikki:

Just outside.

Mum:

Front door or back?

Nikki:

You choose!

[Exit Mum]

The third jar

By now I’d come to the conclusion that people would be prepared to collect this stuff for me and so it was time for some fun!

With the able assistance of Martha and Naomi, the next weather was snow (from a variety of heights and at a variety of speeds*).

*but mostly running ‘cos it was cold and we didn’t have our coats on.

So there we are

So there we are: the weatherproject just sort of happened. On my return to Birmingham I ditched all the sketchbook work I had done and bought 100 small glass jars instead.

The 2-week project became a month-long project; the month-long project became my final piece; then people started going away to exotic places on their Summer holidays and here we are (at the time of writing, Spring 2005) 3 years and approximately 325 jars of weather later.