after A comes B's

I've started a new project which circles around the small. It seems to me we are so often caught up in building our individual plans, grand ideas and struggling with the large questions that we become long sighted. Lets face it, as you lie in your bed of a morning considering whether to drive or walk to work, as the weather plays havoc with your plans, did you ever consider checking first that your legs still work. Sounds stupid I know, but if you have ever been in a situation when you have had your breathing restricted, you will understand that these 'small things' which we take naturally for granted are the foundation of our modern lives, long term plans, grand ideas or large questions to struggle with. So this new project has at it's centre 'Bees'. Bees are a fascinating subject in themselves and there is enough reading material on their biological, sociological, cultural significance to fill my time and beyond. The project is only in it's first stages and I will post at a later date something of the final work but for now a couple of images of Bee Hives located in Frankfurt am Main,Italy and Berlin.

out of season

What happened to our summer. If it carries on like this I will have to resume some old experiments before the month is out!!


Packaging in which to age images.

Talking of Time....

Just happened to come across this image from a work I did when I first came to Berlin, entitled – day by day. I am still comfortable with this piece, a copy of which has hung quietly in a corner of my place for near on 10 years.

the width of time

There is no point in debating the length of time it has been since I last posted something on this site for it was but a moment and in this moment I see but another moment. Perhaps it is a game, like when you stand between two mirrors facing each other and you struggle to contain the infinit replay before you. Around the time of my last post I had begun to send out prints of images of the Bleigießen which that new years eve had created. For those who do not know the German tradition, on the eve of a new year you heat up lead in a spoon, throw it into water when it reaches a liquid state and the resulting form suggests what is instore for the coming year. A sort of industrial version of reading tea leaves. I love the fact that as humans we can't help ourselves a be fasinated by the possiblity of knowing the future regardless of how far-fetched the method and perhaps that is the most fasinating aspect. Everybody should, when at an event or situation where a large crowd follows a singular thing, stop watching what one is supposed to watch, turn around and watch the watchers.


The Bleigießen pictures have been sent to various people across the globe who have been asked to keep the picture on their person for the next year. I have done the same with a corresponding image, the question is, is my future as wide in the hand of others? 


Here a phrase of the future, but not the whole story.

Disclaimer, short documentation film.

For those who have received the Christmas edition 2010, the below film may answer one question, what is that mark in the corner. For those who haven't got an edition lying somewhere before them, the following short film documents the making of this past Christmas edition. 

System Failure

Father A, Son A.1, Son A.2 (detail). 2010

                                          

Mother B, daughter B (detail)

                                           

Mother C, Daughter C (detail)

Project: system failure. andy rumball.2010 ongoing.

I have often wondered over the last couple of years since becoming a father, what is the driving principle which drives humans to have children. Is it just because we can, or is there something else, deeper far beyond the reaches of modern societies instilled notions of lifes requirements. Is there something inherently selfish in giving birth to another, are we trying to exist beyond our own means. Is the act of creation that of duplication, or atleast is it fair to say most crave to see the likeness of themselves in their children. And our failure in such quests, is it understood and celebrated? Have we understood the value of failure? 


This project is ongoing and if you would be interested in taking part please don't hesitate to contact me through the email address listed at the top of this blog.

Looking straight in the eye

magazine wall installation. 2010 (detail)

Opening night - final installation of six. 2010

(incorporating a photographic series of portraits and architecture) 

I've avoided posting anything before of the above project which was completed last year. It was a commission for a series of installations for a hotel opening with the theme based around the buildings previous usage, that of a fashion school. Why only now do I post something, well, although appreciated by all unfortunately this appreciation does not include paying outstanding bills as of yet. This has left a sour taste, but I wish to move onwards and as I look things straight in the eye this new year, I find myself posting something of this work. I will endeavour to post a selection of images over the next few days. For now it's a dark rainy sunday  afternoon and a warm tea beckons.