Artwash Blog

ArtWash at present...

2011-04-04T12:47:00.003+01:00

After our great experience with OXtalk, ArtWash is now collaborating with the Association for the Blind. We are very much looking forward to metting with VISNO (visually Impaired but not old) this week and hope to explore new terrortries together....

Oxtalk -The AGM

2010-12-29T19:55:00.000Z

On the 28th October 2010 ArtWash was invited to the Oxtalk AGM.
By this time ArtWash had been working with various aspects of the Oxtalk organisation and presented a short film based on our view of things so far.
Our approach was to focus on what we have in common rather than on the differences.
... our power of imagination.

We are aware, that we didn't 'walk' the well trodden path of just documenting what was in front of us,
and grateful for the openness within our collaboration.
We are looking forward to working on an exhibition together in April 2011

ArtWash @ OXTALK

2010-08-24T23:49:00.000+01:00

OXTALK is a talking newspaper,not only, for partially sighted.
This link is a recording of the beginning of the collaboration between OXTALK & ArtWash that started this August -http://oxtalk.org.uk/wp-content/audio/100817.mp3

2010-04-26T15:47:00.000+01:00

ArtWash are interested in working with other artist led groups in the south-east area.

NETWORKING EVENT FOR ARTIST LED GROUPS IN THE SOUTH EAST REGION

Thursday 6^th May 3.30 – 6.00pm, at OVADA Oxford, we will then walk round to Modern Art Oxford for First Thursday, to join Saad Qureshi and Matt Clark in conversation for School of Saatchi Revisited, 6.30pm

Are you a group of artists/activators who meet regularly to support the work of other artists, curate shows, develop projects and provide support to emerging practitioners? Is your group committed to promoting a wider dialogue and awareness of contemporary art, then this evening event is for you?

This event is a chance for artist led collectives, initiatives and co-operatives to get together to develop a dialogue and talk about their experiences. It is for any groups who support work in the visual arts digital media, performance or cross disciplinary arts.

More and more artists are finding that working as part of a group can enable skills sharing, focus and a structure to shape needs. Participation in an artist led group can be a force for change, good practice, audience engagement and empowerment in the art world.

The evening will include

Time to get to know each other, strengthen links and find out what we are doing

Time to network

To explore the challenges other groups and share strategies

To ask questions and draw on the pool of knowledge we might have in the region

Please email OVADA at info@ovada.org.uk to let us know if you wish to attend, providing the following information:

· The name of your group, how many are attending and your names

· Two things you would like to gain from the evening

· Any website information which will enable us to find out more about the work of your group. This information will be passed onto other groups in advance of the evening to enable them to find out more about your work

This networking event has been developed by OVADA and ArtWash

www.ovada.org.uk and www.artwash.co.uk

This event will take place at:

OVADA

21 Gloucester Green
Oxford OX1 2AQ
01865 201 782

Future Washes...

2010-02-15T14:47:00.002Z

ArtWash is at present planning our next event that is scheduled for June 2010.

More info to follow soon.

Home Delivery Service

2009-12-14T12:58:00.000Z

was the follow-on event from ‘The Art Take Out’.
‘The Art Take Out’ was an art event that took place in a Chinese Take-Out.
For the Home Delivery Service 5 different art events were delivered to 5 different domestic venues over 5 evenings.
See below for more info.

Absent Friends by Eleanor Greenhalgh

2009-12-14T10:42:00.004Z

Eleanor Greenhaigh-Absent Friends
http://ox4.org/~nor/get_projects.php

Eleanor Greenhalgh will be an absent friend who will attempt to join the party remotely. Their guests will arrive for dinner and share a meal. There will be one empty place set at the table (mine) where the phone will sit.
Technology allows us to be socially present even if we are not physically present.
Every time we answer the phone, we invite someone into our space.

Board Games by Cally Trench

2009-12-14T10:39:00.002Z

Cally Trench-Board games

http://www.callytrench.co.uk/

Cally Trench is offering Board games designed by herself.
Each game can be played by up to four players, and a single game lasts around five minutes. Players can learn the (simple) rules very quickly. A tournament could be set up.

Uncertainty Principle by Rachel Gomme

2009-12-14T10:38:00.002Z

Rachel Gomme-Sly Fox
www.newworknetwork.org.uk/RachelGomme

Rachel Gomme offers you Sly Fox.
This is a solo performance that questions our perceptions and our understanding of reality. It celebrates the power of the imagination, articulating the fine line between passive reception and active creation in the vital involvement of the audience in performance.
Thus I hope to offer the host and their guests a new view of a familiar place, an experience of their home in a parallel dimension.

Black Bread & Borscht by Katie & Rebecca Beinart

2009-12-14T10:34:00.003Z

Katy & Rebecca Beinart- Borscht and Black Bread
http://www.katybeinart.co.uk/origination.html

http://http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/520058

Katy & Rebecca are offering Borscht & Black bread as well as conversation .
As artists and sisters they have been working on a project called ‘Origination’ for the past year and a half, which explores genealogies, migrations and environments. They are interested in looking at cultural appropriation and how we carry memory through generations and migrations.

TV Dinner by Alice Ladenburg

2009-12-14T10:30:00.002Z

Alice Ladenburg-T.V Dinner
http://www.a-n.co.uk/students/article/561721

Alice Ladenburg- A night in front of the telly with a difference. There will be no X-factor or Eastenders on the box tonight. Rather than considering a masterpiece, watch the artist in the comfort of her own home, behind closed doors and doing nothing more creative than eating pizza. So eat with her, drink, discuss, and be merry.

The Home Delivery Service Menu!

2009-11-13T10:14:00.001Z

2009-10-16T12:40:00.001+01:00

This is how it works…
You as ‘The Customer’ chose an art-dish from the menu and as ‘payment’ provide your home as the venue .
Who you invite and what you want to offer is up to you.
Once you have chosen let us at ‘The Home Delivery’ know. To provide customer satisfaction please email us your first and second choice of artists from the menu as well as your preferred dates at artwash@gmail.com.

We will then work with you to provide the artist delivered to you on the days in question.

2009-10-16T12:20:00.002+01:00

ArtWash are ‘the home derlivery service’ and will be present during this period to ensure artist’s and customer’s satisfaction.

We are looking forward to taking your Order!

Dish One

2009-10-14T22:34:00.005+01:00

The Take-Out night

2009-06-05T23:53:00.000+01:00

The Art Take-Out

Open for business!

2009-06-05T23:20:00.000+01:00

2009-06-05T23:15:00.000+01:00

2009-06-05T23:13:00.000+01:00

The Art Take-Out by the ArtWashers

2009-06-04T16:21:00.000+01:00

Art is sustenance for the soul…. so they say…

Open call to all artists to be part of the Art Take-Out.

The only condition being that the work fits into a take-out container!
Dimensions 18x10x4.5 cm

The Art Take-Out night will be at:

Tsang’s Kitchen
Oxford On the 2^nd June 2009
from 7-10pm

‘Customers’ can choose the work they want from the Take-Out Menu.
Works will be on view on the ArtWash website prior to the event.

Customers can then ‘acquire’ this work by fulfilling a pledge* determined by the artist.
The pledge will be the ‘currency’ for the evening.
The Artist will be under the heading they choose as in Starter, Main Dish or Dessert.

The ArtWashers are Ann Rapstoff, Barry Reeves and Kay Sentance

The Venue

2009-05-24T09:32:00.000+01:00

This is were we'll be on the night...

Tsangs' Kitchen
147 Iffley Road
OX 4 1EJ
7-10pm on the 2nd of June 2009

See you there.
the ArtWashers

S1. Chopping- spring onion and carrots

2009-05-21T12:21:00.000+01:00

The Pledge...
to talk to a stranger.

about the Chef:
Paul Medley is an Oxford-Based Photographer and graphic designer.
www.paulmedley.co.uk

S2. knots- on steamed house special

2009-05-21T12:00:00.000+01:00

The Pledge:
To ask the person sat next to you-
'which knot do you prefer?'

About the Chef:
Sharon Lovatt is a visual artist based in Dudley but also connected to TAP.
Tap stands for Touring Art Project.
Sharon and Juliet May have both entered work for the Menu.
Contact-
sharon-lovattl@tiscali.co.uk

S3. quilted blanket on Noodles

2009-05-21T11:00:00.000+01:00

The Pledge...
give a blanket to charity.
About The Chef:
Wendy Markham is a textile artist based in Oxford.
Wendy also offers felting workshops in Littlemore.
contact
collynatextiles@googlmail.com

S4. beauty in the city- and nuts

2009-05-21T10:30:00.000+01:00

The Pledge...to send an image of the 'stuck' magnet to artwash@gmail.com to be added to the blog.

About the Chef...
Anna Francis is based in Wolverhampton
www.annafrancis.com

S5. Flying Cells on a bed of air- a mobile

2009-05-21T10:00:00.000+01:00

The Pledge...
to read 'The Origin of Species'

About the chef:
Lizz Tuckerman is a Sheffield-based Artist and Scientist .
www.lizztuckerman.co.uk

S6. sweet seaweed- by Kirsty

2009-05-21T09:30:00.000+01:00

The Pledge...
when you buy yourself an ice cream this summer.
buy one for the person behind you in the queue .

about the Chef
Kirsty is an artist based in Kent.
www.meplusmolly.co.uk

S7. Reflection of St Helens- on mixed vegetables

2009-05-21T09:00:00.000+01:00

The Pledge...
donation to charity of your choice.

About the chef...
Harmonie Carline is a London-based Artist....
www.art-atelier.co.uk

M1. Red- on noodles

2009-05-20T16:59:00.000+01:00

The Pledge...
to visit a gallery you haven't yet been to within a month,
and to send an e-mail to artwash@gmail.com to add to the blog.

About the Chef....
Patt Jeffs is an Oxfordshire-based artist.

M2. Special Fried Rice

2009-05-20T13:14:00.000+01:00

The Pledge...
To return something of perceived beauty to Lorson within a month.
This ties in with Lorson's current work of finding 'Beauty in the Discarded"
More information given at the Take-Out or via artwash@gmail.com

About the chef:
Lorson Camps is based in Coventry....
Contact via-
lorsencamps@yahoo.co.uk

M3. Gnome on bed of Chinese shredded menus.

2009-05-20T12:18:00.000+01:00

The pledge...
to learn 10 Chinese words.

About the Chef...
Laura Cartledge is a Liverpool-based artist
and will be with us on the 2nd June.

M4. Chopped beetroot soup

2009-05-20T12:00:00.001+01:00

This was Katy's entry for the Art Take-out that took place in the Chinese Take-away.
The Pledge...
To talk to someone over the age of 80.

About the Chef...

Katie Beinart is an oxford based artist.
www.katybeinart.co.uk

M5. Paper Planes- on Fried Rice

2009-05-20T11:47:00.000+01:00

The Pledge....
1.Choose one aircraft from the three on offer
2.This plane has crashed- and is now part of the terrain the plane is made out of.
3.Postulate a fictional crash site from this map.
4. Locate this place on Google Earth.
5. Make contact with artwash@gmail.com for the Google Earth image to be up-loaded to the ArtWash blog.
With a creative synopsis about the plane, it's crew and the final mission.
With a photo of the wrecked plane- if possible.

About the Chef...
Peter Finnimore is an Oxford-based designer .

M6. Stuffed Crispy gutter bird- on rice

2009-05-20T11:00:00.000+01:00

The Pledge...
to put out bird food in the shape of a heart and to take a photo of bird feeding.
E-mailing this image to artwash@gmail.com to upload to the blog

About the Chef...
Helen Grundy is a Birmingham-Based Artist.
www.strange-ways.org/helen_grundy.html

M7. A Fishy Dinner

2009-05-20T10:40:00.000+01:00

The Pledge...
to return a self portrait in any medium.

About the work...
a diorama/memory box within the tin-foil container, exploring 'the English national dish', using a mixture of collage/decoupage and real objects (non-perishable) foods.

About the Chefs...

We have collaborated since 1996, creating kitsch, photographic self-portraits with black, English humour at their heart. Our practice focuses on recording a staged, surreal, private performance. We have exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery and the Photographers Gallery, and last year had our first solo show at Beverley Knowles Fine Art in Notting Hill. We are based in London and Bournemouth. Over the last couple of years, women’s relationship to food has been a strong theme in our work:

www.thegirls.co.uk

THE GIRLS - artist duo Andrea Blood & Zoe Sinclair | http://www.TheGirls.co.uk | The Girls are currently featured in Amelia's Magazine issue 10 (ameliasmagazine.com) & Chroma Journal issue 8 (chromajournal.co.uk)

M8. Chefs Mystery Special- on rice

2009-05-20T09:00:00.000+01:00

The Pledge...
Not to open the box

About The Chef:
Laurence Payot
is Liverpool artistic director of the 'Royal Standard gallery'
www.the-royal-standard.com

D1. Balls on bed of noodles- by Alison Berman

2009-05-19T11:58:00.000+01:00

The Pledge ...
a party game with a smile.
Two teams with one of the pictured balls each are to form a line and pass the ball
over head and through legs.
The team to reach the end first wins the ball .
The person wanting the work has to organise the same sized teams- ArtWash are here to help;-) and gets to keep the footballer bracelet and the 2nd ball.

About the Chef:
Alison Berman is an Oxford Based sculptor
www.alisonberman.com

D2. Now you see me... on the cob

2009-05-19T11:00:00.000+01:00

The Pledge...
to say YES more often.
About the Artist....
Roger Perkins is an Oxfordshire-based artist.
www.rogerperkins.com

D3. Two Boys Joined for America- on Corn

2009-05-19T10:30:00.000+01:00

The Pledge...
to smile and wish someone 'Have a nice day!'

About the Chef:
Juliet May is based in Client, Worcestershire and is part of TAP.
TAP stands for 'Touring Art Project'.....
Shanon-Lovatt (also on the menu) is also connected to TAP.

The 'join' project is about joining and making connections-
it's about artists creating a body of work on a common theme
that is shared with each other and with our audience.
It explores the tension and fragility in the process of joining;
whether it is an actual physical, visual, written or verbal connection that is made.

www.axisweb.org/artist/julietmay

D4. Zebedee receives the gifts of Kannon- on salad

2009-05-19T10:01:00.000+01:00

The Pledge:
Photo of person using this tea towel washing-up.
to artwash@gmail.com

About the Chef:
Jim Noble is an Oxford-based print maker and web-designer....

D5. Small bowl and curly spoon- with sweet Chilli sauce

2009-05-19T10:00:00.000+01:00

Pledge: to send image of Objects in use to artwash@gmail.com.
Image will be blogged at www.artwash.co.uk

About the Chef: Malindi O'Rorke
Ceramicist based in London. Contact can be made through
artwash@gmail.com

D6. Passion Love- in syrip

2009-05-19T09:30:00.000+01:00

The Pledge....
To talk to a stranger

About the Chef...
Paul Medley is an Oxford Based Photographer and graphic designer.
www.paulmedley.co.uk

Pledge- The Info.

2009-05-10T16:57:00.000+01:00

Before we get cracking with the wild and wonderful menu,
here's some more information on how customers can acquire work from the menu...

Well-
No money will change hands!
Pledges given by each artist will be the 'currency' for the evening.

Each artist gave us a pledge, that they would like you- as the customer,
to fulfil before you can call the work your own.

Now- the pledges vary greatly.
Some are like party games we know, others are a simple question to be asked or action to be made.
And then there are the kind of pledge that need a little time.

All the Artist who have entered work have been very generous.
To be fair ArtWash will function as a point of call between the artist and the customer.

For the pledges that need a little longer to fulfill, the Customer will receive the pledge in a take-out box on the night.

Once this pledge has been fulfilled- ideally with some documentation that ArtWash can put on the blog-
ArtWash will then arrange with the customer to 'handover' the actual artwork.

It all sounds more complicated than it actually will be- Promise!
And it will all make sense on the night!

2nd June '09 at 7-10pm
Tsangs' Kitchen
Iffley Road
East Oxford

Don't forget!

Looking forward to it already.
The ArtWashers.

The architectural beauty of the Take-Out

2009-05-10T16:35:00.000+01:00

Chinese Take-Out's are quite distinct spaces.
They are often very similar in their lay-out.
This being 2/3 public area and 1/3 against the back wall- defined by the Take-Out Bar.
Food is usually prepared in a different space.

It seems to me that we like to eat Chinese food but don't really engage with the people in these spaces.

The return of...... The Green Sock!

2009-04-05T12:55:00.000+01:00

March 2009- only 19 months after starting it's journey to Edinburgh...
it has now paired up again with its other half in the Headington Launderette!

20th July -Cally Trench@ArtWash

2009-04-04T12:09:00.000+01:00

Last Monday Cally Trench showed '9Boxes' at ArtWash.
A great and very busy evening with little theatrical insights to different worlds. www.callytrench.co.uk
It was also a great way to celebrate the past 5 years of shows in the TruWash Launderette.
We might return there for one-offs but generally ArtWash has now move on to different venues.

A big thank-you to all who came and to Cally for such a stimulating evening.
We'll keep you in the loop as to what we get up to next.

The socks are on their way!

2009-02-25T23:05:00.000Z

Perhaps you remember our Geo-caching event we did a while ago-
well, whilst things have been calm in Oxford the socks are actually seeing a lot of the world.
The green one is the one closest to returning to that dryer in the sky- well- Headington actually.
Follow this link to find out more about what those missing socks get up to...

http://www.geocaching.com/track/details.aspx?guid=c0008f49-660d-4583-b22f-0de85722f36e

The ArtWash to come...

2008-12-10T13:36:00.000Z

In 2009 ArtWash will be changing it's 'format'.

We- the ArtWashers- feel that after 5 years of events in one place it is now time to spread our wings a little further.. Events are going to be quarterly instead of monthly and will be in various locations instead of at the Headington Launderette. This is an exciting new venture for us that we hope will expand our activities and be an increasingly useful resource for artists in Oxford and beyond.

Small one-offs will still be possible in the Launderette.

Our main aim will still be to help artists show their work in unconventional spaces.

Watch this space...

ArtWash in December...

2008-12-10T13:01:00.000Z

will be a very different affair.

more info will be sent out via text.

it won't be in the Launderette.

It will be on the 19th December at 8pm sharp!

To take place in the centre of Oxford- for more info ring 07968 985376

November 2008

2008-12-10T12:24:00.000Z

what a night...

the basement of "the Brickworks" on the Cowley Road

was packed as we all watched 'Dancing with Kunde'.

Jim Noble- one of the two film-makers was present for an

interesting Q&A session after a quick 'refreshment break'.

It was a great film and nice to be able to hang out after.

Altogether it was a very different ArtWash event but in a way a sign of things to come...

2008-11-09T23:56:00.000Z

All change-

You are invited to join us for our ArtWash special ‘The wash club’

in ‘The Brickworks Pub in the Basement’ on the Cowley Road.

ArtWash is an inter-art social occasion.

We aim to support artists to show work in unconventional spaces.

This month we have invited Jim Noble– an Oxford based artist.

Jim works in different Media from web design, film making to printmaking.

In 2002 Jim Noble and Scott Kiehl travelled to Ghana where they were invited to be witness to what they will share with us on the 20November between 8-9pm.

*In search of the rhythm of the Brekete drum, the film-makers were granted unprecedented access to the annual turning of the year festival (fetatotro)of Sofor Anani Gatsi (spiritual leader of the order of Kunde).

Music, dance, ritual and the resulting spirit possession of the participating initiates is allowed to speak for itself in this startling documentary. Avoiding the temptations of explanation or interpretation, the film puts the viewer firmly at the centre of an extraordinary experience.

This film comes with a warning- some might find this uncomfortable viewing.

As we have just celebrated our winter ritual all souls- or Halloween to some- it only makes sense that we can witness other cultures doing the same-

or are they?

The film-makers will be present to answer any question on the subject after the viewing.

Hope you can join us,

The ArtWashers

*text by Jim Noble

October 08

2008-10-21T13:17:00.000+01:00

Throughout her residency Arantxa Echarte or Aran to us- was looking at what, or who, defines a non-space...

Much of her work is based on the book-

'Non-places' -Introduction to an anthropology of super modernity

by Marc Auge

ArtWashs; first residency

2008-10-04T10:20:00.000+01:00

Today 4th October
Aran will be starting her residency in the Launderette.

Things will be happening in this space. Stay tuned!

Responses to the soap in boxes.

2008-09-25T11:02:00.000+01:00

1.
• Sneezy
• Exotic places
• Childhood baths
• Elderly ladies
• Spring breeze

2.
• Hotels
• soaps brought back from France as a present
• when we were kids
• menthol shampoo
• laundry
• yuck
• soapy cucumber
• granny
• lemon sherbet
• toilet duck
• imperial leather

3.
• Caretakers
• Hippy
• Cycle tyres
• Hotel soap
• Industrial
• Lemon
• Family

4.
• Wrights Coal Tar, my father

5.
• Is 10 imperial leather? A soap I would buy my father every Christmas

6.
• School soap
• Cheap soap
• Sandy soap
• Soft soap
• Swimming soap
• Lost soap
• Agreeable soap
• insoluble soap
• grey soap
• floor soap
• soggy soap
• cracked soap
• liquid squeezy soap
• liquid tip-up
• liquid ooze out soap
• fragrant sneeze soap
• multipack regretted soap
•

7.
• kids would never smile and never whiff if soap could clean with just a sniff

8.
• Sunlight (fairy) Doing washing in the river, on a smooth flat stone

9.
• Hospital
• lemongrass/bergamot
• jasmine
• rats will eat soap my friend Kerry will always be found in the soap isle – smelling and opening the lids of shampoos
• musky/patchouli/Indian soap
• bubblegum
• mop buckets and caretakers
• childhood
• soap for washing clothes is great

10.
• The smell of Coal Tar soap reminds me of my grandfather, who used to spend and hour in the bathroom reading or rather looking at porn which he hid inside the cover of the Radio Times.

11.
• Evokes an imaginary Victorian childhood
• Proper soap –clean soap
• Smells that hide

12.
• Fairy Liquid as shampoo
• Lots of squeezy bottles for Blue Peter projects (just in case)
• Roger Gallet soap in Mum’s knicker drawer, hidden pearl
• Never wash with it, it’s a waste of fragrance

13.
• Lemony fragrant squeezy
• Oily
• Super lemony/ disinfectant
• Floral Victorian
• Hotel bath
• Coal Tar – manly
• Herbal medicine
• Fresh lemon woods

14.
• Refreshers
• School floors
• My mum’s bedroom drawer
• Poster paints

15.
Queuing to sniff, I get a whiff
Of Ricketts leather Camay
And Sunlights light
Mild fairy boys
To pears of Castile Lux
And here we trail off cos we lost the soap plot.

16.
• chemically over scented
• pungent
• overwhelming loos and school

17.
• Junior school
• Childhood bath time
• Pot porri
• Gran's
• Bonfire night
• Well to do B&B owner
• Music course near Alton Towers
• Opal fruits
• Herbal bath salts
• Too much soap wont come off in soft water

18.
My young son threw a very expensive soap from the Middle East that his grandma had brought back froma holiday into the garden bushes – it was never found again.

19.
I still remember as a child using “Le Chat” soap. A square block of white soap. I would be frantically washing my hands with this soap until eventually it dissolved to a small lump hiding a glass marble I wanted to get: i.e. “the cats eye”.

20.
Lemon for me every time

soap associations...from the 20th September

2008-09-25T10:51:00.000+01:00

Soap is one of the very first manufactured products a baby will come into contact with, and use every day thereafter…………

I have written some of my own soap associations, followed by contributions written by those who attended Artwash on September 20th 2008. everyone was asked to reflect upon and write about any soap associations which came to mind. As some people sniffed the hanging soap boxes for inspiration, some of the contributions are presented as lists relating to particular boxes, mostly describing or trying to identify the hidden smells.

My earliest memories are not of a particular brand, but sensation. Being ‘soaped’ by my mother very systematically and efficiently sliding the bar all over me and rinsing me, leaving me smelling very clean and fresh and ready for bed, and loving that feeling.

Slightly later my memories are Coal Tar soap, lost in the bath and frantic scrambling to try and retrieve it before it became totally soggy and unusable.

I loved turning over a well worn ‘bar’ in my palms and the slipperiness of the sensation. I didn’t like the roughness of a new bar to touch, but I loved unwrapping it for it had a powerfully strong smell which diminished with use.

More well-off friends had rather luxurious soap, the most exotic being Roger Gallet for me. This was bohemian and smelt fantastic and I aspired to owning some. It also came in expensive looking wrapping.

My grandmother used rather dull Imperial Leather which with its pointy ends. Consistent. Every Christmas I went to Boswells and bought her Bronleys lemon soap. Which was a perfect lemon shape and smell, and used to come in wooden boxes.

Maggie says that lots of people attending her G.U clinic (Genitourinary medicine clinics) with undiagnosed rashes ‘down below’, when asked which soap they used, they invariably said Imperial Leather. The doctors were never sure whether this was the source of the problem, or if they gave that brand name because the patient thought it more respectable than the cheap bar that they were ACTUALLY USING.

I always was a bit dismayed by people sticking the left over bits of soap together. It seemed dismal and, doubtless economic.

I remember one bar I had that had oats or something in it, and was a bit gritty and so scrubbed and soaped all in one. That was exciting.

In France we used huge, unwieldy blocks of Marseille soap to wash the laundry, rubbing the clothes against washing boards or on the draining board. It was a pleasure to do as the smell was fantastic, and as the base oil was olive, it was very gentle on the hands. You rarely saw one of those blocks get really small.

As a child on camping holidays, after a poo in the lav, bars of cheap carbolic soap awaited you, covered in pieces of dead grass, by a bowl of cold grey soapy water topped with scum.

Right now I use Pears which combines great smell with lovely semi transparent visual pleasure. My friend's Mum brings me Maja from Spain which smells unbelievably exotic.

September '08

2008-09-21T17:44:00.000+01:00

What a great night of written thoughts and sniffs and smells and more.
Matt Black started off the evening with great humour, thoughtfulness and smiles.
Chess then took on the baton with a visual and nasal trip down memory lanes.
Boxes with different soaps were hanging ready to be sniffed -with that the memories came flooding back. Some of these will be shared on the blog later.
Strangely, the different smells of soaps were mainly associated with fathers...
To finish the evening Matt gave us a great performance of his -farsidesque- poem about those all so sweet sheep.

July 2008

2008-09-12T14:17:00.000+01:00

Headington Quarry Morris Dancers-
Dance
http://hqmd.tripod.com/
Perhaps you have felt a little bemused by Morris dancing?
I certainly have been in the past- and to a degree I still am.
That is until I was able to meet with this group who have a wealth of knowledge of this 'olde' English Tradition- or not so English- but always fascinating.

June 2008

2008-09-12T13:24:00.000+01:00

Graham Lister
Paintings
WAITING ON THE WASHING ...
is a site specific show of paintings of people waiting on their ‘cycles’ to end in their local laundrette. The works are based around the type of wash each sitter is waiting for. The titles refer to my impression of the specifics of each wash; in terms of colour, content and spin cycle. The photocopies, titles, colours and symbols combine to create overall tongue-in-cheek abstracted painted outcomes, focused on the notion of ‘waiting on the washing’.

Scottish artist, Graham Lister has created WAITING ON THE WASHING especially for ‘Artwash’ in Oxford. His recent works have been focused around the idea of creating painted outcomes from simplified, photocopies of original photographs. His art practice combines copies of real images with overstated, bold colours and symbols.

Graham Lister has had considerable success as a young contemporary artist. He received a Masters degree in Art History from Glasgow University in 2005 and a Masters in Fine Art from Gray’s School of Art in 2007. Since then he has been nominated for the Mercury Art Prize, has had solo shows in London and Glasgow. His photocopy paintings have also been shown in group shows in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Birmingham and in Toronto. He is currently artist-in-residence for North Lanarkshire and has numerous upcoming solo projects across the UK.

May 2008

2008-09-12T12:42:00.000+01:00

Jessica Rost
"Gasping Goldie"
Performance
We are all drowning all the time…in life. One person’s comfort zone is another’s anxiety. We may be innocent in purpose but how often do we really understand one another?
Gasping Goldie is, on one level, about human ignorance, our inability to understand truly a situation before we react. But on another level it is the story of a creative struggle, a soul gasping to survive unnoticed. There is more than one way to drown.
Jessica told us after the performance that it was based on a childhood experience of wanting to show her pet Goldfish the big world beyond it's bowl.

you can see a pod cast ... Select either link below.
http://www.norcottarts.co.uk/ Norcottarts%20Adult%20C...

April 2008

2008-09-12T12:32:00.000+01:00

Fiona Robyn-Poetry
Fiona is a writer and blogger interested in finding wonder through paying attention to the everyday and to the ordinary. She is influenced by Zen thinking, voluntary simplicity, and other writers (Raymond Carver, Annie Dillard, Mary Oliver, Natalie Goldberg etc. etc. etc.) She writes novels, poetry and miscellany.

The evening at ArtWash will begin with Fiona reading poetry from her first collection, Living Things. This will be followed by a 'group reading' (participation welcome) from Small Stones, Fiona’s daily blog, of short texts concerning small scale overlooked observations. The evening rounds off with a discussion, which may cover any of the following areas, writing, discipline in consistently writing, blogging, publishing online and in book form and anything else that comes up. Bring a cushion or stool if you feel like sitting.

You can find Fiona’s work at at www.fionarobyn.com and her blog is at www.asmallstone.com
Hope to see you on the 20th

March 2008

2008-09-12T12:23:00.000+01:00

Esther Ainsworth presents Spring Clean 08.
Esther is a practising Artist and DJ currently based in London. Working with sound, audience participation, and performance. Esther's work concentrates on the miniscule details within our surroundings that can become so familiar that they are no longer noticed. Utilising technology Esther transforms information and casts it back into similar or differing environments to create an unexpected disorder. Recent collaborations have included commissions for East Sussex Council, The Ryder Project, New York, and most recently The Roundhouse, Camden.

Spring Clean is an interactive sound performance installation allowing the audience the opportunity to submit materials which will form the content of the work the idea for this piece exists around the mundane, the wine stain, the spillage of milk, dirty finger prints on a white shirt. Every mark made which has a story which we negate or wash away thus recreating the disposable everyday.

http://www.estherainsworth.com
e_s_t.dj@hotmail.co.uk

February 2008

2008-09-12T12:15:00.000+01:00

David Brinkworth- Sound
David is interested in environments,
this has led to a number of performances in sound,
installation and performance around the country.
These events share similar ground conceptually to
Brian Eno and his greatly influential Music for Airports
and is also greatly influenced by the wondrous repetition
and experimentation of many of the German so named krautrock bands of the early 70’s.

Note; MAQ is in fact a quartet of one, however, occasionally when the situation is right there are a number of assorted instruments available so members of the general public can join the quartet if they so wish, therefore for the February ArtWash event you are warmly invited to became part of MAQ’s performance or simply watch.
http://www.thefineartserviceindustry.com/

January 2008

2008-09-12T12:08:00.000+01:00

We're back!
Vicky Vergou
Odyssey Part 2
Video installation
Vicky was born in Greece in 1964 where she studied Fine Arts,
Film Studies and Graphic Design (BA).
Her work is based on personal experience,
focusing on the issues of identity, immigration, and mortality.
It is a therapeutic progression towards acceptance and serenity.

October-December

2008-09-12T11:55:00.000+01:00

Other Commitments by all involved in ArtWash meant that ArtWash was on ice for this period- Sorry

September 2007

2008-09-12T11:53:00.000+01:00

Extended summer-break!

August 2007

2008-09-12T11:38:00.000+01:00

Summer break

July 2007

2008-09-12T11:29:00.000+01:00

David Thwaites & Nomi Everall
Geocaching

The home of the single sock!

David Thwaites is in the ***Wash for July.

David of Pegasus Theatre fame
will be present to talk us through and to start us off
on a Geocach 'travel bug'- the journey of the 'Single Sock'.

We will be sending the single socks off on a race from
Oxford to Edinburgh and back again where the single socks
will be reunited in a romantic fashion.
It will all become clear...
Same place same time!
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?wp=GC14E9D

June 2007

2008-09-12T11:24:00.000+01:00

Lee-Anne Hampson
A young artist, whose latest work has been
inspired by working in Papua New Guinea.
Whilst there Lee-Anne discovered various tribes
believe that when you die your spirit turns to a fish
and returns to its clan.
By showing at ***Wash Lee-Anne wants to explore
the juxtaposition of the tribal art styles alongside
the industrialised machinery of the western world
linked by the theme of water.

May 2007

2008-09-12T11:19:00.000+01:00

ArtWash Collaborations-
Interactive, experimental performance around the theme of water.

April 2007

2008-09-12T11:14:00.000+01:00

Louise Tyalor
Video artist

A great evening hearing more about
various film makers who Louise has
drawn inspiration from.

March 2007

2008-09-12T11:10:00.000+01:00

Cathy Ryan
Poetry
Cathy is an actor, poet and a 5 Rhythms teacher,
working in the UK and Europe, using the 5 Rhythms
as a creative tool for performance.

February 2007

2008-09-12T10:56:00.000+01:00

Matt Wells-
Matthew Wells is an artists based in Carlisle. Formerly a member of Eyelevel Artists (2005-06), he now seeks to make art that is more accessible to the public. By accessible, he means to subvert the context of art - specifically its place - in terms of where it is exhibited.
The simplicity of Classified Ad adds up to a process of collaboration with place or site, juxtaposed with the architectural dynamics of a newspaper i.e. the schematic layout of a page. But what this work really posses, is not just the artifice of the context of art, but also the question of what really constitutes a work of art.
This was ArtWash's first long distance Event. Rather than Matt being with us on the evening we talked to him via Mobile phone. A strange experience to say the least.

December 2006

2008-09-09T18:34:00.000+01:00

Mick Harket & George O'Shaugnessy

Painting 'vs' Drawings

November 2006

2008-09-09T18:29:00.000+01:00

ArtWash-
CrazyGolf

'art' can be fun...

October 2006

2008-09-09T18:25:00.000+01:00

Barry Reeves
Performance reflecting on our relationship with instructions...

September 2006

2008-09-09T18:13:00.000+01:00

Helen Edwards-
"Limbs"

A Dance performance working with the Oxford Improvisers.

July 2006

2008-09-09T18:08:00.000+01:00

George Mogg & Ann Rapstoff-
"Warp and Weft"

A Participatory piece and a chance to catch up with all the repairs that get put off.

June 2006

2008-09-09T17:24:00.000+01:00

Diane Jones Perry & Annabel Ralphs with Metron-

a work that has grown and moved on since being shown at ArtWash.

Emma Brion-a young Artist from Banbury- shows in January ***Wash

2007-01-26T23:03:00.000Z

Emma Brion-a young Artist from Banbury- shows @ January ***Wash'o7
Originally uploaded by ArtWash.

Emma Brion
Showing @ ArtWash
20th January at 8-9pm
Windmill Road, off London Road
Headington
Oxford

Emma Brion is a young and upcoming artist from Banbury.

Her work looks at domesticity in an honest and compelling way.

Her work encompasses photography, painting

and performance….

ArtWash takes place every 20th of every month and shows work in

various media in a working Launderette.

For more info

http://artwash.blogspot.com/

the space

2006-10-13T12:32:00.000+01:00

the space
Originally uploaded by ArtWash.

We are always open to new submissions.

Feel free to get in touch with us via-

www.artwash.co.uk

just to give you an idea of the dimensions ...

looking forward to hearing from you,

the artwashers

"Limbs"

2006-10-05T21:21:00.000+01:00

'Limbs' continued
Originally uploaded by ArtWash.

Time to chat ...

after the Performance of 'limbs' by

Helen Edwards and the Oxford Improvisers.

ArtWash-New Season

2006-09-15T21:53:00.000+01:00

Image- ArtWash 2006

We're back! and ready for the new season!

ArtWash will start again on the 20th September '06

You are invited to "limbs"
joining movement, sound and sculptural experimentation
as well as documentation thereof .

With-
Helen Edwards, Malcom Atkins and Jo Derzscynska

"limbs"
the process of becoming our part in a greater design
leaves us emptying the drum
following the limbs of our shadow
discarding clothing's social passport,
osmosising form.
Text by Helen Edwards

on going...

2006-07-04T23:55:00.000+01:00

on going...
Originally uploaded by ArtWash.

Last year ArtWash took a break .

Only to return stronger with an improved formula

due to more active ingredients .

ArtWash is now an artist led venue with a busy program.

20th June. Work by Anabel Ralphs and Diane Jones-Perry.

20th July. George Mogg and Ann Rapstoff

20th August. Summer break.

20th Sept. Helen Edwards, "limbs".

20th Oct. Work by Barry Reeves.

20th Nov. Work by Ann Rapstoff.

20th Dec. Mick Harket - prints.

2006-06-12T23:45:00.000+01:00

july '06
Originally uploaded by ArtWash.

This is an image from 'Blue' a show by Diane Jones-Perry and Annabel Ralphs on the 20th June '06.

George Mogg and Ann Rapstoff will be at ArtWash on
20th July's show will be...

@ 8-9pm in the TruWash Launderette
Windmill Road ,Headington,Oxford

George Mogg and Ann Rapstoff have worked in collaboration for over 2 years in addition to their individual practice.

For ArtWash, Mogg and Rapstoff will be continuing their process-based examination of -

"THE WARP AND WEFT"

performance work by hilary kneale @ artwash/oxford

2005-03-27T18:18:00.000+01:00

DSC00005
Originally uploaded by ArtWash.

'Vessels' by Hilary Kneale- a dance performance piece with clay vessels.

ArtWash

2004-11-22T02:53:00.000Z

ArtWash is a showcase for artists- in any media- that would like to show in an alternative venue.

It takes place every 20th of every month @ 7.30-9pm in
TruWash Launderette
Simon House
Windmill Road
Headington
Oxford