Wednesday 9 March 2011

THE COVE REPORT - Mar 2011

DANCE NOT DANCE CLIMB NOT CLIMB – AUG 2009

SENSING. FEELING. DOING – OCT 2009

CIVILITY AND ALTITUDE – OCT 2009

UNPREDICTABLE SPACES – NOV 2009

TEXTURES IMPRINTS FRAMEWORKS – JUNE 2010

EMBODYING LANDSCAPE & VERTICAL LEVELS – Sep 2010

THE DAY SNOW CAME - Dec 2010

MEANING AND LOCATION – Jan 2011

THE LOCATION IS WHERE IT SHOULD BE – Jan 2011

IDEA BASE CAMP – Jan 2011

PORT O DORIS – Mar 2011














THE COVE 9th March:


We traveled out to XXXXXX for the day with the aim of spending time at the location getting a sense of possibilities and factors which will shape how we approach the project.

It was windy and wet.

Massive rollers coming in from the north Atlantic.

We first went to the top of the headland to walk in from the top. There's parking and a swing gate into a field.

The path is quite short through a sheep field then down steep banking ot the top of much steeper slopes / cliff. It brings you out tot he spur ridge that some of the Toby wall climbs top out onto - there is also a walk down from here. It is a quick way in - but no good in wet, windy conditions or if you are carrying much. Would be worrying in the dark also.

Great views from the top - looking down into the cove.

Then we walked back and re-parked at the bend into Shroove before the main beach. There's parking outside a cottage and another swing gate into another sheep field. This field brings you directly onto a beach 5mins east of Port O Doris. It cuts out much of the clambering from Shroove beach - although that route is quite adventurous and fun. This route is best if we have stuff to carry or are bringing people in.

The walk from this field is ok - some rocks to clamber but mostly a decent path. It's also far enough away from the road that it would prevent casual visitors - especially in the dark - as you still have to venture across a few grassy bays, beaches and headlands. Some of these grassy bays close tot he cove would provide ok camping ground.

Thoughts:

Do we keep the cove as a place of work / investigation - and accommodate ourselves away from it - so it become a place we go to for specific reasons?

or

do we accommodate ourselves in the cove - so it become our habitat?

So – making the cove a place of investigation structured encounter

or

making the cove a place of investigation through habitated encounter

both have strong possibilities. Steve thought the first approaches it as being sacred (making it a place of worship of sorts) the other make's it a place of existence - the everyday.

Ideas about structure in the cove:

Shanty - made from what we find? difficult.... bit Robinson Crusoe set...

Timber and ply - possible - easier and clearer design - would bring stronger sense of purpose.

Non-natural material - really introducing a modern or alien aesthetic - shiny, metalic, reflective etc.

structure:

Low profile

to provide:

Presence and sense of purpose and secondary focus

Shelter (for equipment and possible people)

platform (possibly for dance / movement activity, screenings, talks, meals, bar etc.)

a base

Good area at apex of cove - reasonably flat ground where grass meets the sand - some rocks in way - could build around - into. Could consider building into large rocks and cliff wall.

some low level bouldering - cold.

West wall dries very quickly in sun and breeze - east wall slower. Could easily set up top ropes on this steeper wall tho.

Need to examine and check stakes on west wall - how many where - which routes do they cover.

Idea not to overly use the guide book - so we re-explore potential for climbing...

Is there possibility for new routes?

We also explored the east side rock - over the plank bridge.

Possibilities for over night sleeping on the rocky causeway - noisey, exciting wild. helps to move perspective from the apex of the cove where the structure would be.

Interesting flora - lichens - micro worlds

Different textures, patina and flora of the rocks - depending on sea or land facing orientation.

Big waves.

Would be tricky bringing stuff in via boat - unless very calm....

How possible is swimming??

Need to establish dry zone / spot.

High tide levels - need to check tide tables for sep - see when very high tides are. Would be great to have structure at waters edge of high tide - could be risky if high seas tho...

Time went very quickly.



Dan