TEND is an ongoing project that originated as a year-long research residency; as it continues we will be condensing ideas, exploring further locations and processes of collaboration. We are also currently developing a publication.
Trewidden Garden is an important example of the links between industrial expansion and horticultural research witnessed in the South West of England throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.
TEND references both the tending of plants and the nurturing of an idea over a sustained period of time. The aim of the residency was to develop a specific understanding of the garden in relation to broader geographical, cultural and ecological thinking through a sustained period of residence. We have witnessed the porosity of its borders and encouraged the role of emergence and open encounters in the realisation of ideas. During a process of exploratory micro-projects, gardening and exchanges between visitors and staff we are also unraveling the contemporary role of the garden within the context of its industrial and horticultural heritage. Over the course of the residency the two sheds, that we sited in the garden, evolved to become studio, archival space and artwork. TEND has developed as a conversation between ourselves where collected works are situated in relation to each other to form new perspectives.
TEND has been supported by Arts Council England – SW, Trewidden Garden and the Bolitho Estate.
NEWS - Winter 08/ Spring 09
The old stable yard adjacent to the gardens have been renovated over the past 6 months and will soon be occupied by a diverse range of artists from the region. The 15 studios will make a welcome contribution to the arts infrastructure in West Penwith and should be a wonderful place to work. We have taken up Studio 2 as a collaborative work space.
We are continuing to develop work within the TEND project and will be showing as part of the 2009 Open Studios.
RANE [Research in Art Nature and Environment] based at University College Falmouth are funding a small publication about TEND which we will be distributing regionally and nationally. We are especially keen to develop links with Green Tourism where we might generate new perspectives on the landscape for the visitor and build new relationships with regional business and organisations. Our publication will be part of this enterprise.
A project initially looking at Bumblebee species in the garden. We will submit the records to BWARS & The Bumblebee Conservation Trust. We are also making films of the Bumblebees. The records and the film work are a means to look at the garden as an inter-related habitat or system which we, temporarily, are connecting with.
We think we have a pair of Blue Tits interested in this prime location.
Some initial trials with a home made pinhole camera in the walled garden.
As an initial addition to our sheds I brought the mirror cube in to see how it worked in an exterior space. A bit of illusion and adds a certain mystery to how the space works.[NOW REMOVED]
![TEND BOOK [Signed Limited Edition]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWNh-oNWliqEg8OzOGcW14_yYS8Btr1RNuNbbRasN4YeEQQzsuJZWzkLz7glFiIJfHNJcFLt9rcnmtVDw_Tuwn7D1WI3MfS5368fOat4BbveVjE316G6AOVqzL1OdvLOa1P-LyMPucb8/s220/book.jpg)
