Melanie Stidolph

In 2010 I was invited to participate in The Loving Gaze symposium programmed by Susan Andrews and Fiona Yaron-Field, from London Metropolitan University.  I presented Heather McDonough’s recent work on her mother’s terminal illness, and Heather presented my work under the title My Boyfriend and Other Animals – ‘Melanie’s images seem to arrest or suspend time, to highlight a notion, smell or sound.’  activate is edited by Susan and Fiona and focuses on a different issue each publication.

Two exhibition openings this week, Collectible at ZAP Project space, with over 60 artists, and Photo-Soup at Unit 24.  More info at www.zeitgeistartsprojects.com and www.photo-soup.org.  I seem to have a rabbit theme going on, showing small versions of The Hare, Skomer and large print of The Hole.

Open Studio is a new programme curated by the Families Learning programme at Tate.  I’ve set up an installation where visitors can trigger the camera shutter with objects, projecting the images as they’re made. Influenced by Luc Delahaye’s images in Tate’s collection, which produce a sense of predicting, or just missing the decisive moments of traditional reportage.  Open Studio is open to the public in Clore Studio, Tate Modern on weekends in April (5th – 8th April, 12th – 15th April, 21st – 22nd April and 28th – 29th April).  www.tate.org.uk

My third Photo-Soup show, first one in Barcelona in 2010, second as part of Mexico photo festival last year.  Photo-Soup is an idea for a collective group of artists to put together exhibitions without a curatorial premise as a starting point.  Brings together an international and extremely diverse group of work and artists, for more info see www.photo-soup.org.

Behind the Image is a new text book by Natasha Caruana and Anna Fox, which includes my work and contributions from Martha Rosler, Vivian Maier, Jeff Wall, Karen Knorr and Hashem el Madani.  Just published by AVA Publishing, for more info see www.avabooks.com.

Collectible, curated by Rosalind Davis and Annabel Tilley opens on Tuesday 17th April at the ZAP project space in London.  This large group show is part of the launch events for ZAP – Zeitgeist Art Projects.  I’ll be showing two small prints of The Hare and Skomer.  All works are for sale. Show runs until 28 April, more info on their website – www.zeitgeistartsprojects.com

Notebook 4, our latest work in progress exhibition, and first with our new studio member David San Millan del Rio.  Thank you to Karen McQuaid from The Photographer’s Gallery who came over to chat with us and visitors about the work.

Trigger is included in Nadege Meriau’s blog this week, a project by the Wandering Bears Collective.  Nadege’s second post is on german romanticism and nature depicting itself – www.wanderingbears.co.uk.  Nadege is currently exhibiting her Au Centre de la Terre works as part of the Brighton Photo Open – www.photofringe.org / nadegemeriau.com

Exhibition at the studio for next two weekends, pv tonight and Karen McQuaid from The Photographers’ Gallery speaking on Sun 27th November at 3pm.  Showing Trigger, first shown at Hotshoe Gallery in August and new work Windfall.  Showing with David Emitt Adams, Laura Braun, Heather McDonough, David San Millan del Rio.  See our studio blog at thestudionotebook.blogspot.com

Experimenting with different subjects setting off the camera.  Apples falling, breaking the beam and triggering the shot. Thinking of Newton’s apple and chains of events – minor events influencing larger.  Working on new projection / film for open studio in November –  thestudionotebook.blogspot.com