jo fairfax

HERO. Boughton House. Northamptonshire.

2012-02-28T11:46:00.000Z

Some new photographs from Andrew Hilton of the weekends laser piece at Boughton House.

Thanks to Andrew Hilton

HERO. Boughton House. Northamptonshire.

2012-02-27T17:53:00.001Z

This temporary showing went live at the weekend. Last night a beautiful river mist arrived, which was exactly what we'd wanted. The mist gently swirled in the lasers creating rippling pockets of bright light along the canalised river. Viewing will be available again on March 3rd and 4th.

Members of the public have been bringing their cameras and taking some terrific shots. Here are two fine examples.

Keith Park

Ian Brock

and the first of many from Andrew Hilton our team photographer with Boughton House in the background

Thanks again to Boughton House, Dal Badial, Andrew Hilton and of course Graham Callister.

LED tidal matrix - Seaham

2012-02-10T10:50:00.002Z

The LED and wire matrix for the reception area of the PCT building in Seaham is currently being constructed. The 2000 or so LEDS form a three dimensional matrix of individually programmable LEDs. The lights will change colour in relation to the tidal movement at Seaham creating a gentle wave of moving light.

The column of light is 2.3m high.

Thanks to Mr Seaman and Mr Foulk.

Living

2012-02-09T09:40:00.000Z

French playwright and novelist Francois Sagan wrote:
'I shall live badly if I do not write, and I shall write badly if I do not live'.

Boughton House, Northamptonshire

2012-02-08T10:22:00.002Z

The final laser test last night in freezing conditions. The canalised river at Boughton House was frozen. The reflections were stilted. The air felt like it crackled. Pretty much a full moon.

Enormous thanks again to Graham Callister, Dal Badial, Andrew Hilton and Boughton House.

The piece is viewable from 6.30-8.30pm on Feb 25th, 26th and March 3rd and 4th.

Photograph by Andrew Hilton

Boughton House, Northamptonshire

2012-02-03T16:08:00.001Z

Another laser test shining a laser under the bridge and along the length of the canalised river in the grounds of Boughton House. In the rain the laser beam started to visually break up apart from when protected by the bridge.

Dates for the temporary piece are Feb 25th and 26th and again on March 3rd and 4th.

Massive thanks to Graham Callister, Dal Badial and Boughton House. Thanks also to Andrew Hilton for the photographs.

Revolutionary attire

2012-01-15T17:05:00.001Z

Alex Salmond's grandfather told him:

"If you want to be a revolutionary, wear a suit."

I think that these glasses are revolutionary attire. Syringe frames and liquid lenses which can change the focal length according to the wearers requirements over time. Exorbitant spectacle prices completely undermined.

Chester le Street, County Durham

2012-01-13T18:43:00.000Z

Printed figures onto aluminium panels making box sections. The box sections allow for different parts of the characters bodies to rotate independently. As lorries travel passed the sculpture so the sections rotate creating new character configurations.

Perpetual Light.

2011-12-15T11:42:00.000Z

Jessica Curry organised for a short film to be made by 'Women with a movie camera' of Perpetual Light - a requiem for Hiroshima.

http://vimeo.com/31152665

HERO. Boughton House. Northamptonshire.

2011-12-12T18:37:00.000Z

Andrew Hilton sent over another image that he took during our last laser test. The lasers will follow the format of the canalised river at Boughton House and create intense patches of light where they cross approx 1 meter above water level.

HERO. Boughton House. Northamptonshire.

2011-12-08T18:14:00.000Z

We undertook another laser test last night at the Ambassadors meeting last night at Boughton House. At the end of the evening a group of the Ambassadors came out to see the laser test.

Thanks to Andrew Hilton for taking these photographs.

Massive thanks again to Graham Callister, Dal Badial and Boughton House staff for making yesterdays event happen.

HERO. Boughton House. Northamptonshire.

2011-12-04T11:33:00.000Z

First laser test. Graham Callister, Dal Badial and I undertook our first laser test, shining the laser above the canalised river at Boughton House. Thanks to Charles and Dave from Boughton House for their help.

HERO. Boughton House

2011-11-23T11:00:00.001Z

We visited the site last week and have a good idea of what is required to make a laser piece for canalised river at Boughton House in Northamptonshire. A laser test is currently being organised.

We have titled the piece HERO as the lasers are part of a landscaping design that includes a recent addition in the grounds called Orpheus. Hero is part of Orpheus in both senses.

http://www.boughtonestate.com/landscape/

Boughton House, Northamptonshire

2011-11-10T10:47:00.001Z

Following on from 180º of Light I have been asked to look at creating a laser piece with Graham Callister and Dal Badial for Boughton House, Northamptonshire. Here are a couple of sketches. We have our first laser test next week.

180° of Light (FLOW-Northamptonshire)

2011-10-24T11:50:00.000+01:00

The public have been uploading their own images of '180° of Light' to the FLOW-Northamptonshire website and here is an image a member of the public has uploaded. Thank you to them.

180° of Light (FLOW-Northamptonshire)

2011-10-13T11:15:00.000+01:00

A new image of 180° of Light taken by Matt Bunn.

180° of Light (FLOW-Northamptonshire)

2011-10-07T17:31:00.000+01:00

Some new images of the 5 sq mile laser triangle.

Photographs by Andrew Hilton.

This one shows one of the beams of the laser triangle zooming over Sir Thomas Tresham's Triangular Lodge.

180° of Light (FLOW-Northamptonshire)

2011-10-03T14:27:00.000+01:00

We hired a helicopter so that Andrew Hilton could take some aerial shots of the laser triangle. Here is one of his elevated shots showing the connection between the 3 water towers. Corby is at the bottom left.

180° of Light (FLOW-Northamptonshire)

2011-09-29T14:34:00.000+01:00

A quick view of the moving striations of light caused by the oscillations of the crystal in the laser enlarged over the distance between water towers.
Photographs by Andrew Hilton. Sound by Michael Fairfax and Jessica Curry.

Daily Telegraph.

2011-09-26T17:22:00.000+01:00

A photograph in today's Daily Telegraph.

FLOW. 180° of Light. Northamptonshire.

2011-09-23T12:02:00.000+01:00

Last laser test last night before the switch on tonight. The triangle was completed between Beanfield, Rothwell and Desborough water towers by the six 7.8w lasers. Andrew Hilton took the following photographs. Thanks again to Andrew, Anglian Water (Mick and Andy), Dal Badial (Laser Hire London) and of course to Graham Callister.

bbc website

2011-09-22T11:19:00.001+01:00

180° of Light was yesterday included on the local BBC News website. Tonight is the final testing before it goes live tomorrow. More photos will follow.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-14983682

Metamorphic Light. Bury.

2011-09-14T13:13:00.000+01:00

These images have just arrived from Jackie Carnot of the piece I made for Bury town centre with terrific help from Adam Spinos.

There are movement sensors at the base of each of the 23 light stacks. As people wonder through the artwork they activate a series of lights behind them which stay on for about 5 seconds, leaving a trail of light as they walk.

FLOW. 180° of Light. Northamptonshire.

2011-09-09T16:52:00.000+01:00

We had another laser test last night shining a laser from Rothwell to Beanfield and back again.

Andrew Hilton took the following the photographs. Thank you.

Big thanks to Dal Badial (Laser Hire London), Andy Pickard (Anglian Water), Chrys Allen (BOFA) and Graham Callister (Project Manager and collaborator).

Seeing the water towers lit up caused quite a stir again with the locals - who apparently facebooked the testing whilst it was taking place.

Next week we plan to create the full triangle using six 7.8w lasers.

Silhouettes of Dal Badial, Jo Fairfax, Andy Pickard and Graham Callister on the Beanfield water tower. The striations behind us are rapidly moving from left to right. This is a result of the crystal oscillation revealing itself as the divergent beam strikes the water drum

Saul Bellow

2011-09-09T12:31:00.000+01:00

A great deal of intelligence can be invested in ignorance when the need for illusion is deep. According to writer Saul Bellow.

The Rock. Bury.

2011-09-02T18:52:00.001+01:00

Some new photographs have just arrived of this interactive lighting piece that Adam Spinos and I made for the Rock in Bury. BDP were the architects. I'll upload the photos next week all being well. Adam has made a short stop frame animation of the installation.

Sir Thomas Tresham postponed

2011-09-01T18:55:00.000+01:00

The interactive film of Sir Thomas Tresham and his rabbits projected onto the side of the Triangular Lodge near Rothwell has been postponed. This piece was due to be shown at the same time as the laser triangle but this responsive film is now likely to re emerge, maybe next year.

FLOW. 180 Degrees of Light. Northamptonshire.

2011-09-01T18:41:00.000+01:00

The first poster for this event has been produced.

Thanks to Graham Callister, Michael Fairfax and all the sponsors of the event.

FLOW. 180 Degrees of Light. Northamptonshire

2011-08-26T13:22:00.000+01:00

We had the 2nd evening of laser testing last night shining a couple of 7.8w lasers to and from Rothwell and Desborough water towers. The subtle and varied quality of the laser beams surprised me. The beam splayed over the 2 miles between the towers so that by the time it landed on the Anglian Water tower drum, it was a curious horizontal cascade of light - like a fast moving green stream.
Locals seemed very interested as car after car stopped at Desborough water tower having followed the beam from Rothwell. Graham spoke to a gathering about the project and they were very supportive of what we are doing. We saw people coming out of their houses and just staring at the beam and drum.

Massive thanks to Anglian Water's Andy Pickard, Dal Badial from Laser Hire London who supplied the lasers, my brother Michael Fairfax for photographing the event and Graham Callister for co-designing the project.

Desborough water tower. One beam landing on the drum and creating the moving striated patterns and another beam leaving towards Rothwell water tower.

Rothwell water tower. The beam from Desborough landing on Rothwell water tower and the 7.8w laser being sent back.

Desborough water tower. Looking back from Desborough to Rothwell water tower you can see the beam diverge and small particles sparkling in the beam.

Photographs: Michael Fairfax.

FLOW. Triangular Lodge, Northamptonshire

2011-08-24T15:38:00.000+01:00

Another section of film showing Sir Thomas Tresham and his beloved rabbits to be projected on the side of Triangular Lodge, Northamptonshire. Each section of film is randomly selected and activated by the public as they walk passed the Lodge.
Massive thanks to Marcus Rowlands (Sir Thomas Tresham).

Sausage

2011-08-19T17:03:00.001+01:00

Eric Gill's father cut up the family sausage into 11 sections, one slice for each child.

FLOW. Triangular Lodge, Northamptonshire

2011-08-04T13:16:00.000+01:00

Another section of film which will be interactive showing Sir Thomas Tresham enjoying himself dancing with his beloved rabbits nearby. The film sections will be activated by the public's movement.

FLOW. Triangular Lodge, Northamptonshire

2011-08-03T15:46:00.000+01:00

A series of projections on the side of Sir Thomas Tresham's Catholic folly, Triangular Lodge. The building was officially used a s a warreners Lodge but was really an expression of Sir Thomas' belief in Catholicism.

These projections will be activated by different sensors so that Sir Thomas appears to do different things in response to the public's movement. The projection is planned for the the section of building below the lintel on the right hand side. The rest of the building will be illuminated internally and externally.

Calke Abbey film

2011-08-02T15:02:00.000+01:00

A small section from the hour long looped film in a small stable.

Calke Abbey zoetrope inspired pieces

2011-08-02T14:46:00.000+01:00

The 5 rotating pieces sited in the old Riding School show glimpses of ghostly activity. The images above and below the animated ghosts are patterns derived from the wallpaper in the house at Calke Abbey. The heraldic shields are taken from the family archives.

Calke Abbey zoetrope inspired pieces

2011-08-01T13:58:00.000+01:00

5 zoetrope inspire pieces rotating at 1.5 rpm. Horse based imagery as the pieces are sited in Calke Abbey's old Riding School.

Thanks to the staff at Calke Abbey, Michael Fairfax, Helen Merrin and Richard Burton for their help.

The text is taken from Sir George Calke's journal whilst living at Calke. His use of language is beautiful.

Photographs by Helen Merrin.

husky nose

2011-07-27T13:57:00.002+01:00

Just heard that the nose of a husky becomes dry as it falls to sleep so that it doesn't freeze.

FLOW - laser test

2011-07-19T15:06:00.000+01:00

Last night we undertook some laser experiments in the Northamptonshire countryside. A 8 watt laser was fired from Beanfield Water Tower on to the Rothwell Water Tower 5.2 miles away.

The test went well and we'll do another test in August making the complete laser triangle.

Thanks to Graham Callister, Andy Pickard, Dal Badail, his brother and Marcus Rowlands.

Mac Birmingham

2011-07-03T10:03:00.000+01:00

This is an image I made for artist and curator Trevor Pitt in response to the definition of curate. He is curating a show at the Mac, Birmingham in July.

Calke Abbey film

2011-06-30T10:16:00.000+01:00

A new section from the Calke Abbey film to be projected on the Riding School wall.

Triangular Lodge lighting

2011-06-27T09:39:00.000+01:00

As part of the FLOW project in Northamptonshire I am lighting Sir Thomas Tresham's Triangular Lodge. As a staunch catholic Tresham made this lodge triangular as a quiet tribute to the holy trinity. I will illuminate the building in September. Triangular lodge is sited under the laser triangle I am making. I'll also create a responsive film of the ghost of Sir Thomas displaying different emotional states whilst being watched by rabbits on this Warrener's Lodge. Each of Sir Thomas's emotional states will be triggered by passers by.

Thought

2011-06-24T10:59:00.003+01:00

It is of interest to note that while some dolphins are reported to have learned English -- up to fifty words used in correct context -- no human being has been reported to have learned dolphinese. -Carl Sagan, astronomer and writer (1934-1996)

FLOW. Water Tower illumination. Northamptonshire.

2011-06-23T09:52:00.000+01:00

Sketch showing the location of the 3 water towers to be illuminated and connected by lasers in September. The Anglian Water water towers are Rothwell, Desborough and Beanfield.

English Heritage's Triangular Lodge is within this triangle and will have it's own illumination and projection.

Flow. Water Tower illumination

2011-06-21T17:59:00.000+01:00

As part of Northamptonshire's FLOW project I am lighting 3 Anglian Water water towers with lasers making a 5 mile x 5.2 mile x 2.2 mile triangle of light approx 60 feet above the Northamptonshire countryside above the railway line to London.

The looped projection on the drum shows information and poetry cascading through a network of tubes.

Within the large scale triangle of light is the English Heritage Triangular Lodge. Sir Thomas Tresham's home. This will also be illuminated and have a looped projection on one side.

Northampton Market Square projection

2011-06-20T10:47:00.001+01:00

I was just asked to supply an image of the Northampton Market Square projection I did so I thought I'd include it here as well.

This is a looped projection onto the new new shopping centre entrance where the old Peacock Hotel stood. The image is of the old hotel balcony as it was where dignitaries addressed the public in the Square. The two and three quarter hour looped film is of Sir Francis Crick and Sir George Bernard Shaw (both with strong local connections) dancing in various dance forms celebrating different events in Northampton's history. This image is part of a sequence commemorating the Battle of Northampton.

T.S.Elliot

2011-06-17T11:28:00.002+01:00

Where is the knowledge we have lost in information? -T.S. Eliot, poet (1888-1965)

Roman Gods

2011-06-17T10:19:00.000+01:00

Just read about two ancient Roman gods.

1. Bonus Eventus - The god of successful enterprise
and
2. Sterculinus - The god of manure spreading

Perpetual Light performance

2011-06-16T09:58:00.000+01:00

Film showing eyes viewing the flattened Hiroshima back projected behind the Londinium choir for Jessica Curry's Perpetual Light requiem.

Photo by Chryssa Panoussiadou.

Calke Abbey zoetrope

2011-06-15T11:06:00.000+01:00

A section of one of the 5 zoetropes for Calke Abbey. Each zoetrope will have animated horse related activity (to be shown in the horse exercise yard) and a quote from Sir George Crewe's journal. (Lived in Calke Abbey from 1815 - 1834.)

Feline frontier

2011-06-14T15:01:00.000+01:00

Just read that when Persia invaded Egypt in 525 BC the Persian soldiers advanced on the Egyptian archers each carrying a cat. This effectively neutralized the Egyptians, who were terrified of injuring one of these revered animals - and the Persians easily won the battle.

Calke Abbey film

2011-06-13T18:38:00.000+01:00

A still from the film for Calke Abbey.

Calke Abbey film

2011-06-13T16:44:00.004+01:00

As part of the Breath of Fresh Air project I am making 5 zoetropes and a looped film for Calke Abbey, Derbyshire. Yesterday Marcus, Maria, Helen, Eva, Hettie and myself filmed at Calke Abbey using their costumes. A big thank you to Alison Thornhill for all her help.
This is a sketch in progress of the film to be projected in the horse exercise yard from Aug 1st to Aug 21st. The film is loosely based on the gentle unravelling of the family at Calke. A Stately Home that is lost in time.
Massive thanks to Marcus, Maria, Helen, Eva and Hettie.

Northern Ballet Theatre new building glass front

2011-06-10T09:29:00.001+01:00

Animated glass entrance. Project currently nominated for the 'Best Arts Project' category in the National Lottery Awards 2011.

Photo: Matt Bunn

Northern Ballet Theatre new building glass front

2011-06-09T16:32:00.005+01:00

Animated glass. Glass frontage for the new Northern Ballet Theatre, Leeds. 33m long x 3.8m high. Figures in the glass move as people walk past.

Photos: Matt Bunn

Perpetual Light performance

2011-06-08T09:35:00.001+01:00

Photo taken by Elspeth Stockwell during the performance showing the film behind the Londinium choir.

Thought for the day

2011-06-07T16:32:00.002+01:00

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

There is nothing more agreeable in life than to make peace with the Establishment - and nothing more corrupting. -A.J.P. Taylor, historian (1906-1990)

Perpetual Light performance

2011-06-06T09:33:00.006+01:00

Part of the installation for Perpetual Light requiem performed on Sat 4th. Laser cut B29 bombers (which dropped the bomb on Hiroshima) with integrated led lights. Performed in the Old Vic Tunnels in Waterloo. Thank you to Jessica Curry, Adam Spinos, all the crew and everyone for coming along.

The piece was reviewed this morning by Kay Kempin of Bachtrack:

A true collaboration of art and music, a series of art installations by Jo Fairfax greeted newcomers as they walked through the underground maze. In the first room, strings of airplane bomber lights hovered above, immediately recalling iconic black-and-white stills from World War II. Walking past the planes, the next room stopped us dead in our tracks. Lit by candles circling the room, it was clear this room was meant to serve as a memorial for all those that perished in the air strikes. Struck by the serious pallor of the art installations, the precedent was set for the haunting musical performance to come.

The combination of film, art and music crafted a powerful message that was both sobering and enlightening.

Perpetual Light performance

2011-06-02T11:56:00.002+01:00

Another still from the Perpetual Light film. I think some tickets are left If you are interested in coming along to this Saturdays (June 4th) performances, here's the link for further information.

http://www.perpetual-light.com/

Thought for today

2011-06-01T20:01:00.003+01:00

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

The liar's punishment is not in the least that he is not believed, but that he cannot believe anyone else. -George Bernard Shaw, writer, Nobel laureate (1856-1950)

Perpetual Light performance

2011-05-31T16:11:00.006+01:00

On Sat 4th June there will be a performance of Jessica Curry's Perpetual Light at the Old Vic Tunnels, London. This is a requiem about Hiroshima. Jessica asked me to create a film and installation for her. These two images are stills from the film. The piece then goes on to Edinburgh Festival on August 25th I think it is.

Tickets from http://www.perpetual-light.com/

Seaham St John's Square design

2011-05-31T16:00:00.002+01:00

Currently designing. 12 Sea Captain's chairs in an arc form the public seating for the new Square at Seaham. Each cast iron seat has a colour change led light underneath it which change as the tides rise and fall, like a light clock.

Each seat has an upholstered pattern and where the buttons would be will be holes for water drainage. As the sea mists arrive the light from below the chair will emerge up through each chair as a series of coloured beams using the mist as a screen.

Chester-le-Street

2011-05-31T14:45:00.006+01:00

Currently designing. Misfit characters (taken from local history) to stand on top of an ionic column in Chester-le-Street. As vehicles pass the sculpture so the images rotate creating new characters.

Example of one side of the sculpture showing Dainty Dinah (local historical character) standing on an ionic column. 7 metres tall.

Glass artwork

2011-05-30T11:31:00.005+01:00

Glazing for the new Northern Ballet building, Leeds. Images animate as the public walk past. 33m long x 3.8m high. I am currently having this piece photographed, so I hope that some better images arrive shortly.

Heads

2011-05-30T11:23:00.005+01:00

Lovely heads.