Days 9-10: Reflections on Watershed

DAYS 9 & 10

Gale force winds rocked the chalet for two nights, snow falling in earnest. Warm and protected from the raging blizzard we spent two days catching up on practical matters: downloading photographs and recording our thoughts.

The weather is everything here. From freezing stormy nights to burning hot sunny days and now blinding snow and wind. Last night the metal taps on the water tanks out on the deck froze and we are melting snow as for our water supply. We also had to dig our way out to the toilet through thick drifts of fresh snow.

We have been able to experience the transformation caused by the water cycle at close hand. We are literally working with water affected by changes in temperature to become ice, snow and mist to make art that speaks of the human relationship to water. I feel that this profound experience, totally focused with Philippa on this project together brings out the best in us. It has lifted my work to a different place - a place even more attuned to the environment around us. Hopefully this comes through in the finished works that will eventually become part of the Watershed exhibition.

We have become totally at home here at Whare Kea Chalet. It is so well designed for the alpine conditions and with its spectacular views of Rob Roy Peak, Mt Aspiring, Mt Avalanche and Mt Fastness, it will be hard to leave. But it is good to know we will be back when the snow has gone to experience summer conditions and make very different works in the landscape.

Chalet from the air

Out exploring

The sculpture degrading