Letter to Home February 2012

The Art House Co-op 5th April 2012 
Brooklyn Archives, 355 Bedford Avenue NY 11211
http://www.arthousecoop.com/projects/letterstohome

I was introduced by a friend to writing exercises, where the artist takes a set period of time (e.g., 5 mins) to write down all the thoughts that come into their mind. It is to be achieved without too much conscious thought; not trying to create an accurate story or list of connected words, but something more abstract. Having felt a little self conscious, particularly about reading aloud my writing (and discovering Freudian connotations), I found the exercise to be very rewarding and felt that it was an area of creative writing that I could explore further.

I set about the same task with the theme of my home (the one I grew up in) and conjured up a wonderful list of old objects, scents and feelings from my childhood. 

'Letter to Home' 2012

5"x 7"

Ink on paper 

For clarity, here is the actual text:

Home,


A neat level driveway; two triangles of grass; Japanese Maple tree;
diagonal path; roses; car port; old kitchen units; stiff sliding doors;apples; onion sets; newspapers tied with string; wellie boots;
cobwebs; spiders, shiny, green bike; soft swoosh and click; thick,
smooth, silver key; run my finger in the groove; two small paintings; harsh cold; icy metal; double click to close; blackbirds; papery skin;kneading dough; peeling and slicing; old, wobbly, round, wooden chopping board; sweet fruits; alcohol; citrus; hops; yeast; hand cream; Chanel No5; orange plastic jug; handmade pots; rays of sunlight; dust particles; vinyl records; Dickens; Yeats; war; tall cactus; dents in the doorframes; swoosh and bump; Pear's soap; beige mac; walking stick; London Zoo; shaky hands; Subbuteo; coins; tokens; cards; tins; marbles; badges; wood; Swallows and Amazons; photos; cars; planes; absence; powder blue; cold; wooden slats; gaps and groans; creaks; falling; long wide views; coast; hills; estuary; stiff door; paintings and drawings; posters; white furniture; loud click; gold handles; white walls; school blouses; oil fired radiator; plastic lampshade; oval mirror; fitted wardrobe; old typewriter; architects floor plans; holiday slides; war medals; scent of wood; moth balls; age; people; white counterpane; old chest; soft; worn; patterns; flowers; stripes; silk; fur; memory; musty; whale's tooth; coins; pottery dish; handkerchief; maps; guidebooks; wind; cool breeze; deckchairs; demi johns; records; books; dolls house; toy cars; toy garage; family photos; hay
box; cool box; picnic basket; tent; poles; pegs; airbeds; French clock; framed prints.
Quiet. Tock. Scent of newspaper.
Gentle click. Silent key.
End.


Never forgotten.