That Was The Week That Was – 9th February 2025

"Gardens exist on the threshold of artifice and nature, conscious decision and wild happenstance"
– Olivia Laing, A Garden Against Time

This sentence stopped me in my tracks as I began to read Olivia Laing’s latest book, A Garden Against Time. What struck me was how it seemed the most perfect way to explain generative art. In creating the systems I make, I'm making conscious decisions about the rules and parameters that will guide the creation of the work. But the results are always a surprise, a wild happenstance that I could never have predicted. Going forward I think this will now be my default answer when asked "what is generative art?". Thank you Olivia!

I chanced on this book when I was watching this wonderful "in conversation" event hosted by the William Morris Gallery, featuring Jeremy Deller and Olivia Laing. I always love what Jeremy Deller has to say, but Olivia Laing was new to me so I found her latest work and I'm so glad I did. Here's another part that really struck me on the idea of a paradise:

"All paradises, all utopias, are designed by who is not there, by the people who are not allowed in." – Toni Morrison

Talking of who is not allowed in, myself and Lisa went to see Conclave which we both thoroughly enjoyed. It keeps you enthralled from the very moment it starts right up to the end, with all it's twists and turns. I can totally see why it's getting so many awards.

Elsewhere Christie's revealed the details for the Augmented Intelligence auction, which as predicted courted controversy from the moment it was announced. I have a new piece of work as part of the auction and accompanying exhibition – a religious inspired triptych.