Never Mind the Pollox

Dressed in existential/beatnik black costume, augmented by laminated texts that reference elements of romanticism, expressionism, existentialism and art… I am exploring the physicality of mark making, romance, romanticism and the visual language of Jackson Pollock (the master of abstract expressionism) on the streets of St Ann's (as part of the ‘Notts Loves Learning’ festival). The idea was the brainchild of Alan Carter-Davies (of the Workers’ Educational Association): “I’ve always been interested in the romanticism of art and I’m particularly interested in facilitating unusual encounters, with learning in general (and with art) in unusual places…”

I am producing a large abstract expressionist influenced work using gloss paint dripped onto Perspex, to the accompaniment of Charley Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis. The composition will not be a faux Pollock. It will not even be abstract, in the original meaning of the word, as it will be pregnant with a figurative association and cultural signification, but it will be executed with all of the passion and physicality that we associate with the man and his medium. Inspired by Hans Neymuth’s film (of Pollock painting onto glass), the process will be filmed, from below, and the film will be shown at Broadway Media Centre later in 2010. The performance will look sufficiently arresting to guarantee an audience, which is part of the commission’s brief: ‘to engage with casual learners in non educational/arts contexts’

Although much of my work is quite conceptual, I have always been a fan of gestural abstraction, and have used splashed/dripped paint and rhythmic music in my live art performances on a number of occasions, so this commission represents a return to (and not a rejection of) painterly concerns.

And why jazz? The improvisation that I see in Pollock’s painting is the same as that which I hear in modern jazz. It’s an affirmation of the inevitability of change and the potential for progress; but it’s also a manifestation of the influence of black urban culture. There was an explosion of free-form creative expression across the USA in the post war era, especially in painting, poetry and music. I think this (specifically African American) influence is more significant than that of the wide western landscape, which is often assumed to be the chief influence on Pollock’s work.

And why Saturday 13th? Because it’s (nearly) St Valentine’s Day (of course)! Scratch the surface of an expressionist and you’ll find a romantic, which, despite his crabby exterior, Pollock certainly was.

Catch Chris' piece at The Sycamore Centre (courtyard), 31 Hungerhill Road, St Anns, Nottingham NG3 4NB

Saturday 13th February 2010, from 12.00 till 3.00 pm approx.