Alisdair Kitchen filming Caroline Fraser through a bush....
I was asked to make a movie. About my art practice.
This request came out of the blue, from a film maker Alisdair Kitchen, who was appointed by Rye Arts Festival Digital Fringe.
I did not know of him, but liked what I saw on his website very much; he has worked with opera singers and is himself a musician. His style appealed to me, so I said 'yes'.
We arranged to spend a day together, in my studio and out on location.
My main worry was what to wear. I am clearly vainer than I realised.....
A rusty boat at Rye Harbour
We talked in the studio, and he watched me sewing a book. The notice board and windowsill featured highly; Alisdair liked the wind blowing papers around. I admired his setup, and realised that I would probably never make a video again.....
Then we were off to Rye Harbour.
A visual desert for my type of photography. Old buildings and boats. Way out of my normal comfort zone.
I walked, he followed. I wondered why I had forgotten a belt to hold my trousers up.
I felt acutely self conscious.
Seagull. Rye Harbour
I saw a seagull on a chimney.
Some cracked mud.
I pretended to take photos.
parched earth, Rye Harbour
But mostly I saw Alisdair, and felt so self conscious that I snapped wildy at anything that I passed. This was for show; except that it was not.
Alisdair decided that photos I took were to end up in the film. I was not keen on this idea; I don't make images when being followed closely by a cameraman. I like to be alone, quiet, getting into a rhythm by walking and thinking.
The film maker at work
The harder I tried, the worse it felt. Alisdair was happy because he was outside, and the wind was blowing my hair.... seems he likes wind.
Old railway shed, Rye Harbour
But I should not have worried.
Because Alisdair is a pro. The film that he made is gentle and beautiful.
Out of all the nonsense that I talked, he picked out the key elements of my story, and put them together in a way that I feel is completely true to my practice.
You can watch it here......
