Each year the City of Kingston conducts a competition called ArtzBlitz as part of the arts program. The concept is simple - at 5:00 PM on Friday a one word theme is announced, and the entrants have 24 exactly hours to conceive, execute and deliver a finished work to the town hall. There are various categories - 2D, 3D, digital media, youth and children. To complete the quick turn-around, the entries are judged and the winners announced on Sunday afternoon. I entered the 2D section last year and was fortunate enough to win second prize. Encouraged by this success, I was foolish enough to enter two categories this year - 2D and digital media. Naturally, this meant I would have to come up with two concepts, shoot and pros-process them, and in one case print, mount and frame the finished work.
This year's theme was "FUSION". I workshopped a few ideas with my wife and some friends over dinner and a few drinks, then went hope to start work on my digital entry. This kept me up till 2AM, but at least I felt confident I had the shots I needed. Next morning I worked on these till until my model got out of bed, then shot the second concept. This one didn't come together as well or as quickly as I hoped, and by the time I had it printed and framed, I was sick of the sight of it. I delivered my pieces to the Town hall, and breathed a huge sigh of relief.
This is the result - "Fusion Inc." and "Funky Fusion". No accolades for me this year, but when I saw Funky Fusion hanging in the gallery, I was much more pleased with it than I had been the day before. Perhaps I can bring myself to do a bit more work on it.
The entries are exhibited at the Kingston Arts Centre, Moorabbin till May 30th.
