Test for Absent Objects Project

Test run to see what would happen...it was harder than i expected sewing the larger items to the canvas, impossible to hide the thread.

Although I am quite happy with the result when the objects are removed just leaving the thread.

Grosvenor Museum Archive, Chester

I was lucky enough to be allowed into another Museum Archive this week.

I just love being in Museum Archives, you never know what you might find, and you often find things you weren't  even looking for or considering. The Box above is one made by one of the curators who worked in the museum archive in the 1930s. Robert and Alfred Newstead  (brothers) apparently made special boxes, like these for some exhibits.

The one above is trying to piece together small fragments of a mirror.

The other thing I found (see below), which isn't an exhibit, but the remnants of an early museum display . The objects had been sewn onto the material, and now all is left is the black cotton.

Weaverhall Museum Archives in Northwich

Two of my quickly drawn sketches

I had a brilliant 2 hours in the archives at the Weaverhall Museum (AKA the old Salt Museum) in Northwich yesterday. It wasn't really long enough , but I found 2 boxes full of salt tins and drew 8 of them really quickly...it fits really well with my present interest in objects that dispense things.

Michael Leigh scans the shelves

6 different ways to sprinkle salt

My version of the Staffordshire Hoard (Museum Postcard style)

FOUND  OBJECTS by Hazel Jones
MADE OBJECTS by Hazel Jones
Photos by Alan Sams

Another Museum Postcard

It is really interesting how museums and archives market their objects and what they choose.

"Charter of William I
Corporation of London Records office"
I am not sure I like the pinkish hessian background, but somehow it works and makes a rather beautiful image.

Museum/Artist postcards

Popped into the Wellcome on the way home from Brighton and saw this amazing exhibition by Alice Anderson.
Memory Movement Memory Objects "Geometries" 64 shapes variable dimensions, copper wire 2014.
She had wrapped a large selection of objects, small and large in copper wire..from a pair of glasses to a stair case.

The Power of the seemingly insignificant object.

I felt I needed to include this in our blog It was reported in the Metro on Wednesday 24th June...I am not interested in the.."are they naughty boys?"  arguement.. not sure why they picked theses things up...who knows?
I am just amazed at the power objects which at first glance seem to be rubbish, a bit of a broken comb, 2 randon buttons and I am not sure what the other object is? How do they suddenly become part of the story of a place and become precious, despite being left to lie in the mud?
But of course they do,  the object becomes charged with the place and the story...something I have been pondering. The party popper string from the special occasion...the pencil you passed your A level exam with....the dried flower from your wedding day.