That moment, just before my reception was due to start, when the thunder turned many of the roads into rivers, was the point in which I chose to reach out towards trust. I decided to go ahead with my little-big event regardless of the circumstances. While my ego panicked in fear of no one showing up for the celebration of my first 'real' show, my willingness to feel good no matter what shook hands with some form of humility whispering inside my head. Even if only one person was to show up - it was all worth the effort - I thought.
This year, more than ever, I am noticing how the emotions I feel when observing the world around me are coming (back) into my own reality. I remember clearly feeling impressed with the work of a local musician. I liked how their project seemed to me to be so well rounded, not missing out on anything that I would look out for in a release of a new record. Unknowingly, these intentions for my own show manifested as I took on the many roles a starting artist may need to take: the maker, the editor, the curator, the marketing person, the invigilator and the event organiser. Although it would take a lot of quality work for me to be impressed with my own endeavours, I did feel a sense of completeness of the 'One More Tune!' exhibition.
Walking in the footsteps of my personal journey, I wanted to present something that would make the viewers feel good, pleased, joyful, maybe even excited. The idea to show music related photographs made sense in my mind, as I searched my archives for the projects that could provide an opportunity for an immediate connection to the images. Obviously, the topic of live entertainment has been a current discussion since the very beginning of the pandemic. As the news and regulations change constantly I didn't really know that the festivals had already been planned, or that the club scene would open a week after my show had closed. The choice seemed as perfect as the unfolding of the exhibition.
I guess, it was all down to the fun I planned to make this project into. As I reminded myself of all the gigs and club nights I had attended and photographed since roughly 2015, the feelings of excitement started flowing through me. I remembered both, the spontaneity of the moments, as well as the anticipation of the movement of the artists on the stage; I recalled basking in the colourful lights and smoke that always fills me with appreciation for the stage technicians. I really wanted to translate those pleasant feelings clearly enough that those who would see the images could make space within themselves to experience something similar. The key behind this intention is the belief that energies attract. If I can facilitate pleasant emotions then those who experience them become the same facilitators for others.
The most fulfilling moment during the preparation of the show was the poem that came out of me so easily and so joyfully that I couldn't help but know that this project has been brewing within me for a long time.
This little piece of writing was greatly inspired by a guided meditation by Sonia Choquette, called "High Vibration Meditation". It is actually a really heartwarming and gradually uplifting song, with lyrics that truly took me on a journey. When I discovered this track from the Hay House Meditations, I put it through several repeats, and as I decided to write down the lyrics so I could imprint the emotions in my body, my own words started pouring out to a similar rhythm. It was a magical experience.
"The exhibition made me excited about gigs restarting. I forgot about the magic of lights which you capture so well too." - R
Though there are many aspects of the exhibition that I wish were more expanded, I'm very pleased with the feedback I got from those who I had a chance to converse during the course of the show. As I was reading the poem to one of the visitors, they stopped me suddenly to tell me that they could actually feel their emotions rising. I surely saw it in their face.
Most of the images presented in the show were taken during my journey as a photographer for the Skinny Magazine between 2017 - 2020. The artists included are:
- U.S. Girls @ Stereo, 19th May 2018
- Protomartyr @ Broadcast, 2nd April 2016
The exhibition "One More Tune" was organised as part of the Govanhill International Festival & Carnival and took place between 3rd and 8th August 2021 at the Deep End, 21 Nithsdale Street in Glasgow.
I would like to thank Co-Op and Govanhill Baths Community Trust for their contribution to the reception, as well as the staff at the Deep End for hosting.
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