Pangrok Sulap (Adi)

Heya, it’s common, but for art, is a new experience for me. Additionally, having someone who speaks English which I’m terrible at haha.

Valerie Coffin Price

YES.

Pangrok Sulap (Adi)

It was with artist, but friends, like close friends.

Valerie Coffin Price

I have collaborated with artists, writers and academics.  Artists include Mary Husted, whom you know.  A quick list of collaborative projects below: 

• Troeon-Turnings:  collaboration with Welsh language poet Cyril Jones and English language poet Philip Gross, published by Seren Books (2021) 

• Berlin Water:  collaboration with poet Stephanie Green and sound sculptor Sonja Heyer, responding to water in Berlin (2016-19) 

• All Rivers Flow to the Sea:  collaborative research walks with Dr Richard Keating exploring communities and landscapes along the River Severn (2015-19) 

• A Fold in the River:  collaboration with award winning poet Philip Gross, published in 2015, by Seren Books.  A close and generative collaboration, producing new work in direct response to the River Taff (2013-15) 

• Walking North:  interactive, digital journey of the river Taff and its catchment, with Glenn Davidson (2014-15) 

• Thinking Like a Wetland: a multi-disciplinary exploration of the wetland environment, with academics from Bristol, Cambridge and East Finland, for a special edition of the international and peer-reviewed Journal of Arts & Communities (2012-13) 

with Mary Husted: 

• Tidal Wales (with Mary Husted), ITV Wales (2009) 

• Shadows, National Assembly of Wales, Cardiff (2006) 

• Distant Horizons, The Gate Arts Centre, Cardiff (2006) 

• Residues, Llantarnam Grange, Cwmbran (2006) 

• From There to Here, Swansea Museum (2004) 

• Waterlines, Newport Museum & Art Gallery (2002) 

• Sea Garden, The Gallery, Stratford-upon-Avon (2000) 

Pangrok Sulap (Adi)

Yes! But we both managed to work on our schedule. Valerie and I will meet up weekly at 4pm here and it’s 9am for her.

Valerie Coffin Price

Experiencing time - what an interesting question.

I think my experience of time on the project relates more to the time between meetings.  Friday morning is a fixed point in an otherwise flexible week.  Sometimes time seems to stretch and then suddenly it compresses as the day of the meeting approaches.  As Adi (of Pangrok Sulap) and I are talking about mythology and the origins of our cultures, we are encased in time of a different order.  So, time has a more reflective quality to it than the practical day-to-day time of the outer world, and is perhaps more internal. 

Whilst waiting for the call, what typically happens? Do you get nervous and is there a set routine?

Pangrok Sulap (Adi)

I haven’t, since we are still developing some ideas.

Valerie Coffin Price

The simple answer is, no. I haven’t begun to realise the project in physic space yet.  I have not even begun to work in the folding book Mary provided us with.

The more complicated answer relates to other kinds of space.  One, is internal space:  so, yes, I have begun to internalise the project.  Ideas are rattling around inside my head, filtering through, being discarded and/or evaluated.  Another, is external space:  I have begun to explore external space/s as part of the project - what excites me, what could be act as a go-between between Borneo and S Wales. 

Pangrok Sulap (Adi)

The experience was amazing so far as we both got comfortable with each other. It was always evening here at my side and morning at Valerie's. And I thought at first it gave me a head start before our session, but as time goes on, I need to really be ready on the day itself and clear my schedule. And, gladly so far nothing clashes during our session.

Valerie Coffin Price

Remarkably good. I had no initial expectations or concerns. Technically, we chose not to use our cameras which provided a modicum of privacy. We have enjoyed and been intrigued by each others culture, stories, landscapes and language, respectful of where we come from.

Pangrok Sulap (Adi)

I don't really know how to answer this, but since both of us have a bad connection, we never turn on each other's videos. So, maybe in a way we both felt secure and safe at the same time.

Valerie Coffin Price

I have been very impressed by Adi’s ability to communicate complex ideas in a foreign language.

Pangrok Sulap (Adi)

I guess I've been very lucky. This project got me into researching a lot of new things beyond my own knowledge. Which is great and always fascinating!

This project got me into finding a century old tree that is near me. Awesome!

Valerie Coffin Price

My previous answers speak to an authenticity. I am lucky as the project has followed a similar path to my normal way of working; an easing into things through gentle research, collaboration, exploring thoughts & ideas. And now building up towards making; experimenting with formats, words, images. Imagining an outcome.

Pangrok Sulap (Adi)

I had struggled on how to do the collaboration, but thankfully my partner really helped me. Right now we're closer to what we wanted to do. 

Pangrok Sulap (Adi)

Hmmm. I don't really know actually, does not having our webcam count as one? As for my 'privacy', I prefer to stay at home. And only go out for important business. Like everyone else maybe.

Valerie Coffin Price

Due to the unforeseen circumstances of poor internet connections and lockdowns, both of us had to disable the cameras, providing an element of privacy. This accidental situation proved interesting, creating an environment where we focused outwards to the outer world rather than on ourselves.

This can be seen and heard in the discussion and work revolved around language, relationship to nature, myth and landscape.

Pangrok Sulap (Adi)

Yes, definitely. During this pandemic, it’s good to have something else to focus on.

Valerie Coffin Price

 I started on the physical book after the virtual ‘book’ was complete, preferring to leave it until the collaborative element had finished. It did become a means of escape over the following few weeks while I began two other projects. We chose to produce two independent folding books out of one collaborative virtual work so having time to oneself to realign the collaborative material to a specific outcome was useful.

Pangrok Sulap (Adi)

I don’t know if this answers the question, but personally, I think it’s good that I can improve my English. Not only that, it helps me to manage my schedule better.

Valerie Coffin Price

New experiences like this take time to filter through into ones practice so this has not had an immediate effect. However, it encouraged me to get involved in other virtual collaborations. I have since worked with other Welsh artists on OpenStreet and GIS mapping, part of Mapio Lleisiau’r Tir (Mapping Land Voices) and 35 people around the world on Meeting Oceania.

“This is during the Islamisation of our country, but this only happened in East Malaysia and not West Malaysia. We don’t have the old manuscripts with us, because it’s all over the world.”

Pangrok Sulap (Adi)

It was achieved and it did manage my expectations. I have to offer my gratitude to Valerie for helping me a lot. The networking from this just as good as making artwork. I was able to know so many new interesting creative people.

Valerie Coffin Price

I had no initial expectations other than to be open to the process and enjoy working with someone from far afield. The process has been most enjoyable and I am looking forward to making some more work from the experience.

Perhaps this winter, if we go into lockdown again, replicating the circumstances of the original collaboration. Changes in my use of technology are afoot in the other virtual collaborative projects I am working on.