Jam session #2 at the Toilet Gallery

..and so there was a second one, and hopefully more to come after because once again this was really good fun. Though, this time perhaps not as focused on the music as last time, there were more breaks, but it was really up to you how much you wanted to play etc etc, so even if no one else was playing at the time there was nothing to stop you just playing for a bit on your own even which was kl. The exhibition in the gallery was taking place, open to the public whilst this was going on too, so the public were free to listen. Even though it wasn't particularly a performance it worked well with the artwork which was all about music and art.

So this time we had my brother on the mandalin (much appreciated), a violin player, myself on the cello, Spike on a didgeridoo, a singer or two, someone playing a saucepan and someplaying a makeshift drum using a pedal from a drum and a bin - genius.

Another event that the Toilet Gallery is holding is a painting jam on monday between 6 and 8pm (I think!), which I and most definitely going to have to make an appearance for, so exciting!!! I love this gallery!!

First performance painting attempt - "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" - Pink Floyd

This is my first attempt at a real performance painting, whilst listening to music, in this case, "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" by Pink Floyd. Awesome song! It was really odd, before trying this I tried just doing a performance to the music with my body, without involving any paper or pens etc. I found that ok, not too difficult, it's strange doing performance again, I'd forgotten how free it was. But then trying to add a concious act to an essentially unconcious process made it very hard. I found myself confused, trying to simply be in the now, but I couldn't help but be drawn to the music, getting lost in that, more than getting lost in my own actions. The result being that although I was somewhat acting in the moment, it felt slightly hindered by the fact that my body naturally kept wanting to get lost in the music. Eventually I found that shutting my eyes and simply letting my body flow, giving in to the music with one pen in my hand felt like the most appropriate way to perform in this instance. The moment I decided to switch pens I lost it again though...more practices of these may be needed me thinks, but this is the first go anyway. In order to ease myself into performing again I decided not to film this time, so below is just the result, but as I get more used to it I'll start filming them and posting them on here.