A Day in the life of Tatton Park Biennial Volunteer.

Tatton’s 2012 Biennial is coming up soon and the artists involved are well underway with production for their piece. One of those artist is Aura Satz, who’s piece is embedded with the ornaments, patterns and music of Tatton hall itself. As one of the volunteers at the Biennial I had the chance to work as a runner and work behind the scene checking out some of the filming that will appear in the final piece.

Since graduating in 2010 in photography I have be volunteering at art events to gain experience from within the industry. The opportunity to work along side the Tatton park Biennial came about after sending the curators (Danielle Arnaud and Jordan Kaplan) an email, following a visit to the 2010 Biennial. So far I have been find the experiences interesting whilst gaining skills and insight to the industry.

Aura’s piece for the biennial explores rooms up close and personal, taking the small patterns from around tables, mirrors, bookshelves as well as the intricate strings of instruments. The camera seems to follow the natural path of such a piece, creating a delicate and intimate portrait of one of most well known rooms at Tatton Hall. Although they seem beautifully simple, the way in which pieces like this are actually achieved is not. Boxes and boxes of equipment were needed from Bevis (the camera man) to receive the look and correct positioning of the camera was, sometimes, down to the cm.

Two (extremely talented) musicians played the harpsichord and one of the pianos from the house. Filming was focused on the movement of the strings as they where playing. Seeing this part of the movement close up gave you a completely different view of the instrument.  It makes you realize how much intricacy is needed to make such instruments and the movement of the strings almost hypnotizing.  This, a long with the music from composer Larry Goves, was truly an amazing opportunity and one I am very grateful to have had the chance to experience. As well as getting the chance to see behind the scene process I have gained better understand to the needs of artists and the development of pieces.

Remember to visit Tatton Park Biennial where you can see the final piece from the 12^TH May.  I promise the piece will change the way you see the music room.