Today I spent a day in Cambridge placing my LOVE O.N.O. cards in newsagents windows throughout the city or at least that was my plan. I was armed with cards of course, packed lunch and a map with all the city's news emporiums.
 |
| Unused Cards |
Of the 12 newsagents I visited 5 let me put up my cards, 5 didn't want any cards in their windows and 2 rejected my art, saying they didn't understand what it was all about. So although it was a fantastic rambling day, dipping in and out of the Art:Language:Location festival I came home with 5 cards (right) in my pocket.
 |
| JB Stores, Mill Road, Cambridge |
Even though all the cards are being exhibited (and for sale) at Oxfam, 28 Sidney Street I still wanted to make this a live project and place them in real newsagents. All the content was found on genuine dating sites from Cambridge people although I tweaked it a little to add a pinch of spice and humour.
 |
| Spice Gate, Mill Road |
Each card had a phone number so I'm eager to see if we can get any funny responses from the Cambridge public with a GSOH. My first success after 2 initial rejections was at JB Stores on Mill Road, where 'Work Hard Play Hardy' is now there for a week minimum. Cost £1.
 |
| The Truth |
Mill Road proved a successful patch and I followed up quickly with 'The Truth' in Spice Gate. With a window of collaged posters they weren't too choosey about my motivations and didn't charge a bean. This meant that the card might just be there for a day or a month, who knows. I did however contribute to their Gaza donation charity box. Cost 60p
 |
J R Convenience Store, Burleigh Road
Cambridge |
Another couple of blanks kept my spirits down until I stumbled across the smallest of newsagents, J R Convenience Store in Burleigh Road. The young girl behind the counter didn't bat an eyelid and 'Geek Needs Love' found a home. She even offered to put it in there for free, but I had to pop a £1 in her Children In Need charity bucket.
 |
| Standards In Love |
My fourth hit was at Tindalls Art shop who really joined in the spirit of the project and the charming lady behind the counter couldn't help but giggle a little. I didn't get a photo of it in the window because she was so tickled by it she wanted a photocopy for herself. In fact she said the 'Standards In Love' card was
SO Cambridge in its content.
 |
Laura Napier -
Amnesia Painting |
After some more rejections it was wonderful to see Robert Good and Matthew Wilson at the English Faculty Library, Sidgwick site for a special live creation by Laura Napier. Who sat and obliterated a document with water and brush, changing it into a blurred wash of blue for her performance Amnesia Painting. Perfect time for lunch too, nothing like watching a bit of organised madness whilst chomping on cheese sandwiches. How very British!
 |
Regents News
Regent St
Cambridge |
It was tough going after lunch as I made my way back into the streets of Cambridge, past bustling tourists, toffs and Saturday shopping denizens. The newsagents turned me away again and again until I found the kindest of innkeepers to open his stable to my unusual art project.
 |
| It's all about priorities |
At first Mr Regents News wasn't keen on my card 'Its all about Priorities' but he warmed to me when I produced a smaller example. Yes, he said, that's more like a notecard, it seems he was questioning my authenticity and not my artistic prowess. Blimey, everyone's a Bryan Sewell, we're not a nation of shopkeepers anymore, but art critics nowadays.
You've got a chance to be a critic yourself, in fact you can't avoid it, as Art:Language:Location have their wordplaying thought-provoking artworks placed throughout the city of Cambridge until the 3rd November 2013.
Check out where you can find it here
http://artlanguagelocation.wordpress.com/
AL.
