tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21000350571982084722024-02-20T00:01:09.465+00:00For the Love of the Game: Flags, Football, Art and AFC WimbledonThis summer the Hayward Gallery sees the opening of the long awaited and much-anticipated retrospective “You Don’t Know What You’re Doing!”, a rare opportunity to revisit the works of the controversial and highly influential British artist Fleydon.
As the 'Art & Artist Review' discovered there’s more to football than beer and chants...Yelfyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12151975456880168482noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100035057198208472.post-50192772452136048582011-02-13T17:37:00.001+00:002011-02-13T17:41:16.678+00:00AFC Wimbledon - The King of Clubs<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If Terry Brown and his men came up trumps against an in-form York side then the ace in the hole might well have been Fleydon's latest offering <i>"AFC Wimbledon - King of Clubs".</i> The similarity of the figure to an earlier incarnation of Sam Hatton (<i>sans </i>headband) was another fortunate coincidence as his proved the only goal of a gripping game. When we approached Fleydon for some insights into his latest work we were surprised at his tranquil, almost other-worldly vacant stare and demeanour. He looked us straight in the eye. And this is what he said.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OHEd9JMU5LY/TVc4W6-v0fI/AAAAAAAAFi0/OkR0MN-fAoc/s1600/2007_0113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OHEd9JMU5LY/TVc4W6-v0fI/AAAAAAAAFi0/OkR0MN-fAoc/s640/2007_0113.JPG" width="425" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Friends, the inspiration for this particular piece was the recent defeat to Woking. A young man was late for the game that day and took his place on the terrace just as the whistle blew to begin the contest. To the consternation of his neighbours he pulled out a pack of cards and began to riffle through the deck. It wasn't long before he was approached by a volunteer steward who pulled him aside and enquired of his use of the deck during such an important game. She chided him for not reading the Official Programme and threatened to move him into the John Smith's to stand amidst the stale aroma of stale urine, so grievous was her slight. Now that young man never blanched nor turned away. He looked her in the eye, and in a soft voice said </span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">'Ma'm, I have just arrived and had no money left to purchase an Official Programme, but I have my faithful deck here and this tells me all I need to know. Let me explain and I think you'll see..."</span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He pulled out the deck of cards and spread them in front of her. Gazing deeply into her eyes he lifted up each card in turn.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
"The Ace" he began "reminds me of Danny Kedwell, his goals and captaincy.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When I hold the Two it recalls the average number of legs each Wimbledon player possesses</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Three recalls to mind the trinity of Cash, Bass and Brown</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When I am hungry the Four is the number of Kingsmeadow caterers in the last six years</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Five reminds me of the five regular matchday buys - the Official Programme, the WUP, Golden Goal, miscellanous raffle ticket and Terry's badge</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Six is the average number of cruciate ligaments snapped in a season</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and following on the Seven are the players on Mike Rayners Injury notes</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Eight reminds me of '88, the year of cup triumph and the number of pages of adverts in the programme</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Nine are the number of Holy Saints on the Dons Trust board</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Ten is the number of overhit corners I can look forward to each match</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Jack is, of course, the Devil. Who, lest we forget, is also a Don.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When I see the Queen it reminds me of the Wombelles and their joy of all things pink</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And finally above them all the King - AFC Wimbledon, the King of all Clubs."</span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He paused momentarily and his eyes glistened with emotion. Then he continued. </span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></i><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>"You may recall that there are four suits and that remind me of Ryman League officials, which was also the number of biscuits each suit was allowed in a disciplinary meeting,</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>The total number of spots is 365, which is the number of attendees at the matchday carvery</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>There are 52 cards in total, which is, of course, Crawley's usual away support at Kingsmeadow</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>And finally I can see thirteen tricks, the number of step-overs in a Christian Jolley run.</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>So you see Ma'm, I have no need of a programme for I have all I need right here"</i><br />
<br />
<i>Well, as he had finished his tale both the steward and all the supporters in the Tempest were in tears. Woking and their duo of ex-Dons had just scored their third and The Cards were through to the next round. And I know that this is the truth for friends, I <b>am</b> that supporter and this flag is here to remind me of all those memories, should I ever lose my precious deck of cards"</i></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-man04vlYPXs/TVc4Q_tDpMI/AAAAAAAAFiw/kQrzJ_fZZW8/s1600/2007_0113%2528001%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-man04vlYPXs/TVc4Q_tDpMI/AAAAAAAAFiw/kQrzJ_fZZW8/s640/2007_0113%2528001%2529.JPG" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supporters bow their heads in prayer as the AFC Wimbledon 'Deck of Cards' is recited</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We at the '<i>Art & Artist Review'</i></span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">do not consider ourselves to be overly cynical, but our long dealings with Fleydon have taught us the value of caution in taking his words at face value. On returning to the office extensive research turned up this little gem from 1959</span>.<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Having watched it in its entirety It would seem that Fleydon's whole story was less a pack of cards than a pack of lies and his artistic integrity is little more than a busted flush. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Still it <i>is </i>a nice flag that would grace any fridge magnet so we must conclude that it is not entirely without merit. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/bKgVQdBLbHs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Wink Martindale - Deck of Cards (1959)</span></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Yelfyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12151975456880168482noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100035057198208472.post-44185784244775954862010-12-06T08:47:00.001+00:002010-12-06T08:48:32.868+00:00TV Review: Adrian Chiles Salutes The Genius Of Fleydon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Art on the television is always a problematic exercise so your reviewer was intrigued at the possibilities of a populist Saturday morning show on ITV. Current affairs guru Adrian Chiles had dropped in with an ITV film crew charged with the the difficult task of capturing the latest Fleydon exhibition as part of a new 'live' arts-based documentary. For Fleydon himself televisual exposure added the extra dimension of complexity to his work <i>"I work on two dimesnional surfaces which flutter and play on the breeze in a three dimensional environment. To have them re-viewed and relayed in to the two dimensional world of television frankly confuses me."</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">These subtlties of nuance were obviously beyond the grasp of the presenter. No true critic himself - and with a literalist style of interpretation - Chiles was obviously seduced by some of the larger works and concentrated his attentions on these whilst quite missing the exquisite gems scattered between. Defective recording equipment prevents us showing the full clip, but these two portions give some idea of the reverential tones in which Chiles approached this cathederal of art, this <i>Tempest</i> of creativity...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxHhStOgPTl8hf0vrOlQPGlUouB6ExfiWDF-WE72ufMC7neJo9WoR_m3_5wxjZr4c8xftHEgw1Wf7icrfahCw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The overall look of the Tempest gallery as seen on national television was deemed to be more than satisfactory and we can only hope that the viewers felt a shiver down their spines similar to that experienced by watching Brunowski's <i>Ascent of </i>Man or Clark's <i>Civilization </i>for the first time<i>.</i> Following the Reithian mission statement to <i>Educate</i> <i>& Inform,</i> ITV must also be congratulated on their achievement on this particular day, even if the BBC would have been perhaps a little more <i>probing</i> in their analysis</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyeGPt7moBIMOvYoeIwJ1mKM7weJL_bfW--Mr9o6l7AqSuzPwgQ8rN-EaIEwpC2RC537qKqZfddPcYH2iEaUA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To clebrate the exhibition and to provide an entertaining 'fore-drop', a football match was arranged between Stevenage and a representative team from AFC Wimbledon to entertain the crowds between viewings. However this was found to be too tempting a distraction for some of the less artistically- inclined cameramen whose attention would stray from art onto the pitch, and we would suggest this arrangement be reviewed in future. Otherwise <i>Art & Artist Review' </i>found the programme a creditable if populist, introduction to a complex and enigmatic artist.</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Viewer Rating 7/10 </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Yelfyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12151975456880168482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100035057198208472.post-22334533831986003242010-11-26T23:23:00.000+00:002010-11-26T23:23:04.530+00:00Yakkety-Yak - Yak Attack!<a href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.reddisability.org.uk/famous-modem/TheFace.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.reddisability.org.uk/famous-modem/DisActors.htm&usg=__nr9v0jvhi4dxak3qkHqIBYZ15KU=&h=291&w=280&sz=6&hl=en&start=17&sig2=b180aB12lD8rL9Mvpcn8mQ&zoom=1&tbnid=tY94cFZ634pFDM:&tbnh=126&tbnw=126&ei=9jLwTJvzL-na4wbf8qjHAQ&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dthe%2Bface%2Ba%2Bteam%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D579%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C540&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=327&vpy=193&dur=1339&hovh=170&hovw=164&tx=102&ty=104&oei=8TLwTLCVG9CChQfy65CnCg&esq=2&page=2&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:6,s:17&biw=1024&bih=579">The Face</a>, <a href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://gravy11.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/hoff1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://gravy11.wordpress.com/2008/11/15/dont-hassle-the-hoff-hoffisms/&usg=__1ZKz3pcBuuNRJrocq6Vc9QWXZ6Q=&h=346&w=384&sz=26&hl=en&start=0&sig2=gIZpyJpSWfXH4NPzBxIUrQ&zoom=1&tbnid=4mZyWHGiRe6lcM:&tbnh=147&tbnw=163&ei=PTPwTK66K-mqhAe5i_CkCg&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dthe%2Bhoff%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DG%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D579%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=131&vpy=74&dur=1761&hovh=213&hovw=237&tx=138&ty=162&oei=PTPwTK66K-mqhAe5i_CkCg&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0">The Hoff</a>, <a href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.boston.com/ae/music/blog/edge.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.boston.com/ae/music/blog/2007/04/paging_dr_edge.html&usg=__oV1Yt9uOf8WUmj-BQh-vFnIxBms=&h=300&w=297&sz=72&hl=en&start=0&sig2=F_QrsSorZu4eltrsOb0tmg&zoom=1&tbnid=VnnZt_sRfJwJQM:&tbnh=137&tbnw=137&ei=aTPwTIzFKtWqhAe-uYWxCg&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dthe%2Bedge%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DG%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D579%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=405&vpy=71&dur=436&hovh=189&hovw=187&tx=98&ty=117&oei=aTPwTIzFKtWqhAe-uYWxCg&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0">The Edge</a>, <a href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://leestone.co.uk/daily/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/top-gear-the-stig.jpg&imgrefurl=http://leestone.co.uk/daily/2009/06/random-who-is-the-stig/&usg=__4finaR9zu364viQ591ONykq0rkg=&h=208&w=208&sz=10&hl=en&start=8&sig2=TexSoo8hSfjrlJSnQLfObw&zoom=1&tbnid=RMDHbmw30JE-CM:&tbnh=126&tbnw=132&ei=yz7wTKn2COeP4ga867HIAQ&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dthe%2Bstig%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D579%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C216&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=294&oei=xz7wTO3SE4nMhAfSsuWzCg&esq=2&page=2&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:8&tx=84&ty=41&biw=1024&bih=579">The Stig.</a>.. Seems like the good old days, when heroes were enigmatic and names were short, are well and truly back at AFC Wimbledon. The close season signing of ('<i>Call me..</i>') Ismail ('<i>The Yak'</i>) Yakubu, the man with possibly the most confusing set of nicknames in non-league football, seems to have sent Fleydon (<i>'The Flag'</i>) into something of a tail-spin. Formerly reluctant to the point of belligerence in his refusal to mention players on his flags, Fleydon has recently completed an amazing volte-face and now counts Antony Howard (1 flag), Sam Hatton (1 flag), Danny Kedwell (2 Flags) and Ismail Yakubu (1 flag) amongst those immortalised on canvas.<br />
<br />
Intrigued at this recent development, <i>The Art & Artist Review</i> investigated further and with the assistance of Glen (<a href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.chronicleoftheoldwest.com/pics/trigger400.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.chronicleoftheoldwest.com/last_week_07-november.shtml&usg=__Ea8dake72L1tptlx_tqv3ZUyoA8=&h=459&w=400&sz=40&hl=en&start=135&sig2=3iKyMnFOSWsff7s_J1K9IQ&zoom=1&tbnid=2VEIU8IrlcuH4M:&tbnh=131&tbnw=116&ei=pending&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dtrigger%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D579%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C4005&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=283&vpy=295&dur=382&hovh=133&hovw=116&tx=86&ty=69&oei=Nj_wTM-EL8GphAefrI2pCg&esq=8&page=10&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:135&biw=1024&bih=579"><i>Trigger</i></a>) Mulcaire (<a href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.karlscalculus.org/sincos_still.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.karlscalculus.org/calc7_0.html&usg=__sKXR5gWo1s7hxQQH99XyZniV22g=&h=272&w=309&sz=12&hl=en&start=0&sig2=FztsJWeh19GHtGbX2tlFIA&zoom=1&tbnid=RvYo1DHUQXUfgM:&tbnh=147&tbnw=167&ei=Cj_wTI7rIqOAhAeRs6yyCg&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dthe%2Btrig%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D579%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=282&vpy=75&dur=4604&hovh=211&hovw=239&tx=142&ty=75&oei=Cj_wTI7rIqOAhAeRs6yyCg&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=14&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0"><i>TheTrig</i></a>) managed to discover some startling information regarding the artistic direction taken by the artist known as <a href="http://www.choicepodiatry.com/doctors/fley"><i>The Fley</i></a><br />
(nb This may, or may not, be a picture of the artist himself. More reclusive than <a href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://england.footballblog.co.uk/files/2010/05/gordonbanks.jpg&imgrefurl=http://england.footballblog.co.uk/england-pay-penaltyagain.html&usg=__-mNQLXvg-wP3kr22dZ_behs11zY=&h=391&w=322&sz=21&hl=en&start=0&sig2=LyPMHPYCQ8xbXPSwbWAChA&zoom=1&tbnid=viEDZpwA2j76eM:&tbnh=148&tbnw=110&ei=CUHwTJ-TJsGIhQfXwoCpCg&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dgordon%2Bbanks%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D579%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=119&vpy=58&dur=1117&hovh=247&hovw=204&tx=130&ty=175&oei=CUHwTJ-TJsGIhQfXwoCpCg&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0">Banksie</a>, The Fley is a hard man to pin down...)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/TNhj9ylifkI/AAAAAAAAFfI/EDli-0zUuJE/s1600/CIMG4841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/TNhj9ylifkI/AAAAAAAAFfI/EDli-0zUuJE/s400/CIMG4841.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Fleydon's latest offering to the Tempest End Society of Art Critics appears slightly bewildering at first. However text and voicemail messages that have come into our possession between Fleydon and his agent Miranda '<a href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://adventuresinheels.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/vampira.jpg&imgrefurl=http://adventuresinheels.wordpress.com/author/adventuresinheels/page/3/&usg=__4eDofxND5aHdop3LVWo5d0KrBaQ=&h=480&w=640&sz=21&hl=en&start=0&sig2=w1T4VRdmJExUWlIVnG0Tnw&zoom=1&tbnid=6TWelmgJQhxctM:&tbnh=145&tbnw=193&ei=LEDwTMzKOeiqhAfqyP2lCg&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dvampira%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D579%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=448&vpy=230&dur=799&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=120&ty=99&oei=LEDwTMzKOeiqhAfqyP2lCg&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:0"><i>Vampira'</i></a> Campowski which throws light on the shady underworld of Terrace Art.<br />
<br />
Although ostensibly an <i>homage </i> to the talents of Manchester City striker <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaun_Goater">Shaun Goater</a> and his biography <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Feed-Goat-Shaun-Goater/dp/075094871X"><i>'Feed the Goat' </i></a>this particular flag is apparently nothing more than an attempt to appeal to the vanity (and the wallet) of player himself. Anticipating a return to League football Fleydon seems to have abandoned all claims of artistic integrity and now seems to be determined to flatter his 'subject' in the hope of a swift financial return, hoping no doubt, that the increased revenue flooding into the club from both the <i>Magic Minute</i> and the <i>iDons</i> franchises are fuelling the players wage packets beyond their wildest imaginings. In this respect he reminds us of erstwhile surrealist and money machine Salvador Dali. We can only hope that Fleydon sees the error of his ways and reverts to less commercial activities in future. And to Mr Ismail Yakubu we at The Art & Artist Review can only say <i>"Keep your hand in your pocket. Flattery is worthless and it's not even a very good Yak. You can get better for less."</i>Yelfyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12151975456880168482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100035057198208472.post-4398594991167322382010-10-22T18:41:00.000+01:002010-10-22T18:41:31.117+01:00"Special K" - The Unveiling of Ked's Head<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/TK-RUl8YtYI/AAAAAAAAFdo/lGDacd452_E/s1600/CIMG4696.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/TK-RUl8YtYI/AAAAAAAAFdo/lGDacd452_E/s400/CIMG4696.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/TK-VeRxy-7I/AAAAAAAAFd8/Wmoq_l92jT8/s1600/CIMG4697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sometimes a plan comes together. And don't you just love it when it does?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Crawley game of 23rd September was just such an occasion for Fleydon as he made plans for a record breaking <i>third consecutive</i> flag<i> </i>focusing on a single individual.<i> </i>Of the two previous flags<i> "Just don't upset Danny" </i>was indeed a true evocation of the spirit of Kedwell but the following effort, <i>"Kiss the Badge"</i> had the unfortunate effect of indirectly implicating Danny in an international betting scam of biblical proportion. After keeping low and well out of sight for some weeks, Fleydon then emerged on the night of the Crawley game with what can only be construed as a 'peace offering' to the Dons Captain.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Special K - The Ked's Head </b>is a simple design - an almost pointillistic rendering of the benign features of the special one gazing down on his chosen people. Stylistically not unlike the face of <a href="http://images.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/God-monty-python-and-the-holy-grail-591560_800_441.jpg">God</a>, <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40961000/jpg/_40961945_faceofboe300.jpg">Boe</a> , <a href="http://images8.cpcache.com/product/137262158v4_480x480_Front.jpg">Big Brother</a> or even <a href="http://www.planetsmeg.com/siteimages/upload/holly.jpg">Holly</a> where in each case these individuals maintain a calm impassivity whilst all around them chaos reigns</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For AFC Wimbledon the unveiling was marked by the presence of television cameras and a potential audience of millions. For Fleydon it was an unashamedly desperate piece of humble-pie eating. Would Kedwell accept the offering in the spirit it was offered? Would he provide some small sign of forgiveness? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/TK-VeRxy-7I/AAAAAAAAFd8/Wmoq_l92jT8/s400/CIMG4697.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ked's Head joins the Pantheon of Flags</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ked's Head was set up directly behind the goal in a high visibility position and soon attracted a crowd of potential acolyte's. Their apparent anxiety grew throughout the match as Kedwell seemed to spurn their entireties - to the extent of allowing the Crawlies to score in the very net they had hoped he would bless himself.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At this point things were looking bleak for the self-styled<i> 'Kedwell-ites' </i>and pleading cries of "Give us a sign!" were heard coming from the back of the stand. Half time arrived and the acolytes were left milling about in a state of obvious confusion</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/TK-V8YnA5oI/AAAAAAAAFeA/qetJaWU7p3Y/s400/CIMG4698.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Confused supporters milling beneath the icon at half time</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/TK-V8YnA5oI/AAAAAAAAFeA/qetJaWU7p3Y/s1600/CIMG4698.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The second half was a revelation though. Having suffered their penance, Keds relieved the suffering of his followers by allowing the appropriately biblical Samuel Hatton to literally <i>'Cross the Jordan'</i> to level the score from his accustomed position on the right-back hand-side of Keds.<br />
To then prove his beneficence beyond all doubt the Lord Keds then rose above the 'red devils' to gently nestle the ball in the back of the net, beneath his icon, to seal a memorable victory and to send his followers into ecstatic raptures<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iSPgB6VhgWY?fs=1&hl=en_GB"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iSPgB6VhgWY?fs=1&hl=en_GB" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">No more need be said on this momentous night, although Fleydon - in a further gesture of contrition - has intimated that this most sacred of flags may well be used in the near future to raise funds for worthy Wimbledon causes. We await further details with barely trammelled excitement...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/TK-WZcyYlfI/AAAAAAAAFeE/kIydkjRGdOQ/s640/CIMG4699.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Tickle 'yer Keds with a Womble! </i>A votive offering was discovered beneath the flag obviously placed in an effort to appease the deity.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Yelfyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12151975456880168482noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100035057198208472.post-37013997924991185122010-09-13T12:26:00.001+01:002010-09-13T12:27:26.291+01:00Betting Scam Rocks Worlds of Art and Football<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/TI1TSbYLejI/AAAAAAAAFbw/cUgXMxLbnkE/s1600/2007_0109StablesOpenDay0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/TI1TSbYLejI/AAAAAAAAFbw/cUgXMxLbnkE/s400/2007_0109StablesOpenDay0008.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Caught on CCTV - The Offending Flag</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Investigations are being conducted into a recent AFC Wimbledon match against Bath City in the Conference Premier, scene of a massive betting scam spread over four continents and involving millions of pounds.</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Police and gambling associations around the world had their suspicions aroused when a number of large bets were laid predicting that Danny Kedwell, Wimbledon captain and crowd favourite, would kiss the club crest on his shirt. Such a gesture is usually viewed with suspicion and a degree of cynicism by Wimbledon supporters so the odds of Kedwell engaging in such an activity were considered remote and the odds were consequently long. The fact that he blatantly did so following his goal in the last few minutes of the game further alerted the authorities to the possibility that all was not as it should be and an immediate investigation was launched.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Attention soon focussed on a new piece of artwork hanging in the Tempest End. Highly visible throughout the ground, the confusing and enigmatic piece had caused much doubt and discussion amongst spectators who had been speculating as to the nature of the flag and the meaning of the central figure. Was it a ghost, monster or zombie? What did it have to do with the club at all? The artist Fleydon, controversial vexillologist and self proclaimed <em>‘bad-boy of the emulsion tester pot’'</em>, had evidently placed this new flag with no prior announcement. It was also swiftly removed at the final whistle before reporters from the <em>Art & Artist Review</em> had the opportunity to question him regarding meaning and content.</span> <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.ruderetro.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/gene.simmons.kiss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://blog.ruderetro.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/gene.simmons.kiss.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gene Simmons - Unwitting Subliminal Trigger?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Investigators soon noticed that the central figure bore an uncanny resemblance to heavy-rock practitioner Gene Simmonds of the band KISS. However subtle alterations had been made to his usual stage makeup and investigators soon made out what they believed to be a coded message contained within the design itself. The more usual ‘Demon’ make up had been adjusted to resemble the AFC Wimbledon badge in what is now believed to be an explicit -albeit subliminal - instruction for Kedwell to <em>“KISS – The Badge”</em></span> <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmZ36dSgnim4_DSk_X6fVCoyI-xKpSsqsbGQkr9RaG3CANV2z8Sn5tokTg6RyXvJen2f5efDOs8yqOxGUkOc7HvKtVAV_9UElvAZaRfvZeq6KoKm9Xs6KFK8a1cdUPQzMGCaGSzw04ro/s1600/2007_0109StablesOpenDay0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmZ36dSgnim4_DSk_X6fVCoyI-xKpSsqsbGQkr9RaG3CANV2z8Sn5tokTg6RyXvJen2f5efDOs8yqOxGUkOc7HvKtVAV_9UElvAZaRfvZeq6KoKm9Xs6KFK8a1cdUPQzMGCaGSzw04ro/s400/2007_0109StablesOpenDay0009.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Licking Supporters. Not clever, not funny...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although scientists studying the evidence were amused that the painting seemed to be licking a supporters head, they also emphasised that it was very wrong to encourage betting scams. They were anxious to emphasise that Danny Kedwell was apparently totally oblivious to the subliminal messages coming from the Tempest End and has subsequently been cleared of any wrong-doing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Investigators are still seeking Fleydon and there are serious concerns that the success of his subliminal suggestions may encourage him to extreme measures during the upcoming home fixture against Crawley Town. Supporters are therefore advised not to look too closely at flags produced by Fleydon until they can be certified clear of all unconcious instruction.</span>Yelfyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12151975456880168482noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100035057198208472.post-59962259548165238842010-03-28T18:21:00.000+01:002010-03-28T18:21:33.552+01:00"Just DON'T Upset Danny"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/S6uw2MeUAoI/AAAAAAAAFGs/oxZViUwA1cM/s1600/CIMG4307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/S6uw2MeUAoI/AAAAAAAAFGs/oxZViUwA1cM/s400/CIMG4307.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Set fair to ascend into the pantheon of AFC Wimbledon Gods (where he will surely sit at the right hand of Almighty Everard) Danny Kedwell has now joined another unique trio*, those of individuals honoured in the works of Fleydon. Previous beneficiaries of this honour were manager Dave Anderson in <i>DA's Army</i> and Sam Hatton in <i>Sam's Missile</i>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>"Such tributes are rare for obviously pragmatic reasons"</i> remarks Fleydon. <i>"Players, even the most popular, have a habit of coming and going whereas what I celebrate is the spirit of the club, it's </i><i>essence rather than the qualities of a particular individual. Other personal references have been sparked by specific circumstances - the DA reference was part of a pun and Sam's Missile part of a sponsorship birthday present - so you could argue that this particular flag is the first to truly celebrate the qualities of an individual player and as such marks a major concession to my artistic values. Tenacity, strength, the ability to transform a game and a 'never-say-die' attitude combined with that photograph of Danny that they always show in the NLP... well, apart from the green tinge, that's Danny all over isn't it?" </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We asked about the coded meanings and the playful conceits that litter his work, but were more than slightly surprised at the confession that these were entirely absent from this particular piece.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/6a/14-1goblin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/6a/14-1goblin.jpg" width="131" /></a><i>"No, nothing. It's just a bit of fun and an homage to someone who will undoubtedly be our player of the year this season. I don't think he'll mind the Hulk comparison either. I was stuck for paint to tell you the truth and really needed to use up the green so it was either going to be the Hulk or the Green Lantern and I don't think players are allowed to wear rings during a game, especially if they glow and confer almost unlimited power on the wearer. Although now I think about it the Green Goblin would use a lot of green as well and as coincidence has it the Hulk shared a front cover with him on his first appearance. But then Danny's definitely more Hulk than Goblin."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">Having now been premièred <i>"Just DON'T upset Danny!"</i> will now be withdrawn form public view whilst Fleydon makes emergency adjustments to the shirt. <i>"Having had the opportunity to observe it </i>in situ <i> I'm afraid the blue is a bit on the light side and looks just a litle bit sheer for a football shirt. As there's the possibility of a hint of nipple showing through I'm going to ensure it's thickened and darkened to make sure I'm not caught out by any late frosts."</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><i>"Just DON'T upset Danny!"</i></span><span style="color: black;"> will be back for the new season. Here's hoping that the real Danny Kedwell will be too. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>* 'Frankie' Howard was also honoured but that was a one-off leaving flag and not designed for repeat hangings</i></span><span style="color: black;">.</span></div>Yelfyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12151975456880168482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100035057198208472.post-37373071500777001742010-03-08T16:33:00.003+00:002010-03-08T16:37:08.695+00:002002 - A Dons Odyssey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/S5Kl4sKsQJI/AAAAAAAAFEc/jPJt64f2PQ0/s1600-h/CIMG4258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/S5Kl4sKsQJI/AAAAAAAAFEc/jPJt64f2PQ0/s400/CIMG4258.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>PRESS RELEASE: Fleydon Artworks Inc. 06-02-2010</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><strong>Major Artwork To Be Unveiled At Kingsmeadow</strong></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>“We then walked round the corner to the junction of Plough Lane and Durnsford Road, where the sculpture – named “Landmark” -- was waiting for us, wrapped in a red cloth.”</em> WISA article</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday’s game against Forest Green Rovers sees the unveiling of the latest Fleydon artwork and a companion piece to artist Sam Burford’s <em>Plough Lane Landmark</em> monolith (see Sam's site for <a href="http://www.samburford.com/">pictures of the piece</a>) </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although bitterly disappointed at being overlooked in the selection process for the Plough Lane commission and semingly forgotton when invitations were being assigned, by sheer coincidence Fleydon happened to be in area during the unveiling. At the conclusion of the ceremony (and after all participants had left the scene) Fleydon emerged from the surrounding bushes, determined to retrieved the red material used to wrap the monolith which had been casually discarded in the rain.</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whilst crouched on the floor gathering the cloth, Fleydon looked up at the black monolith towering above him at the <em>very moment</em> when the rain clouds parted and the sun burst through, creating both a halo of light around the statue and an epiphany in the mind of the artist.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYAIVUtyAnasjl2fPCZd91SWLkz_82TJ_NM0iaFvPaKS1_jEanSMO7k8hm4a5Bvr4VMYFb5BWfbL32cMjz2jSHuGrlElfUhLZ3kAEhEc_AuHZ1Ez6j-8MC8e_iUycOArzoWskVswB-TyM/s1600-h/PloughLane4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYAIVUtyAnasjl2fPCZd91SWLkz_82TJ_NM0iaFvPaKS1_jEanSMO7k8hm4a5Bvr4VMYFb5BWfbL32cMjz2jSHuGrlElfUhLZ3kAEhEc_AuHZ1Ez6j-8MC8e_iUycOArzoWskVswB-TyM/s320/PloughLane4.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At that point Fleydon realised that with his crouching pose, the monolith and the burst of light that there were uncanny echoes of the film <em>2001: A Space Odyssey </em>when an outside force prompts a huge evolutionary change within the minds of our primitive ape-like ancestors.</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2001 might have been important in the film but 2002 is, of course, the year when AFC Wimbledon suddenly emerged from the broken carapace of its predecessor and when attitudes and beliefs evolved in new and exciting directions. Just as the ape-man shattered all his rivals with his new and potent 'club' so too did the motivated and highly intelligent new species of Wimbledon football supporter. In fact it was a time when a new <em>‘Dons Odyssey’</em> began as the club once again began it's long haul to '<em>reach for the stars'</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fleydon has captured this moment of enlightenment on his new banner, the material of which is the very red shroud mentioned in the WISA commentary and used to cover the Plough Lane statue. Likened by many to the Holy Shroud of Turin, this scared red rag helps ensure that, in some small way, a vital link is maintained with Wimbledon’s spiritual Plough Lane home. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Film buffs will also be aware that the motto “<em>The Ultimate Trip”</em> is not only a strap line on the original movie, but also echoes manager Terry Brown’s assertion that the journey is often more enjoyable than the destination. It is this small but vital attention to detail that keeps Fleydon on the top of his game</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">***End of Press Release***</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Yelfyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12151975456880168482noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100035057198208472.post-51891115803604280702010-01-06T02:00:00.136+00:002010-01-09T11:40:20.689+00:00Appendix 10: Gettin' Awesome! Fleydon's 19th Nervous Breakdown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SxErn12vwQI/AAAAAAAAEys/zoszvB8Nvfk/s1600/Gettin+Awesome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="height: 240px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 318px;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SxErn12vwQI/AAAAAAAAEys/zoszvB8Nvfk/s400/Gettin+Awesome.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There has been confusion and no little controversy at recent low-key displays of a new Fleydon artwork over recent weeks. Rumours had been circulating that a curiously ephemeral work had been spotted at the Crawley FA Cup replay game, but the sighting had remained little more than a speculative until incontestable proof came from an unexpected quarter, namely the '<a href="http://therealfacup.co.uk/2009/10/28/wombling-along/">Real FA Cup Blog' </a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Whilst the original appearance seemed to pass without comment, a second display at the Gateshead victory sparked no little controversy amongst keen aficionados. Yet the second viewing undoubtedly featured a flag of significantly different substance. Just what was going on here? Fleydon, usually so verbose and bellicose in his defence of a new work was strangely silent. Boast came there none, nor word nor speech nor declaration. The master was silent.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Always eager to pin down the elusive and enigmatic Fleydon reporters from the <i>Art & Artist Review</i> were forced to wait outside the Kingsmeadow stadium until the early hours before the artist finally emerged from the back bar in an obviously <i>'tired and emotional'</i> state. Dishevelled and confused he was was clutching a blue IKEA bag to his chest bulging with the folded canvases of many of his greatest works. That one of the countries greatest living artists might find himself stumbling and mumbling inchoate phrases around the Cambridge Estate in possession of artwork valued in the millions beggared belief so for his own safety our reporters bundled him into a white transit van and took him to a secluded refuge before providing him with a cup of coffee, a sturdy chair and some bright lighting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> The Crawley Awesome<br />
</span></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/S0PiEwpmrnI/AAAAAAAAE-A/RKzEnnNdd8A/s1600-h/awesome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/S0PiEwpmrnI/AAAAAAAAE-A/RKzEnnNdd8A/s200/awesome.jpg" /></span></a><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What follows are excerpts of an interview held with the artist over the next few days. Often incomprehensible and frequently unintelligible Fleydon eventually provide answers to at least some of our questions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fleydon, your new work, 'Gettin Awesome' has appeared at two matches but in different forms. Are we looking at the same flag here or two different versions?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Look, whoever you are, I'm an artist. What I do... is me. It's what I am. I don't have to explain myself to you or anyone. Only to myself. Now **** off! <i>(There was some off-the record discussion at this point after which Fleydon was 'persuaded' to continue with the interview)</i> All right, all right it's just the one flag. Do you think I've got time to sit around doing copies or something? It just wasn't finished for Crawley that's all. It was a work in progress. I was still playing around with ideas and themes. The internal discourse - it was still in full flow. I just committed too early. I butted in on the mental badinage and hit the canvas before I should of. I tried to force the flow and ended up with a Premature Enflagulation.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Had this ever happened before?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">No, never. I don't know what happened. I think I was a bit stressed or something. Anyway that's all it was. Nothing else at all. It happens and I'm over it.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Is it any coincidence that the night of the Crawley game was also the last opportunity for this years Turner Prize nominations?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Turner Prize??? Don't make me laugh... you only get that if you've slept with some husky voiced 'judge' or you do a natty line in abstract tat. Proper art never gets a look in. Do you think representational images like mine would penetrate the bourgeois sensibilities of the North London Art Mafia? No it wouldn't. Now **** off and stop shining that light in my eyes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>(Despite his protestations it would seem that the arrival of a half-finished flag at the Crawley game was indeed an attempt to draw attention to himself and his work in a last-ditch effort to win the only major art prize that has so far eluded him. His disappointment at his non-inclusion in the<b> <a href="http://www.tate.org.uk/britain/turnerprize/turnerprize2009/artists/default.shtm">Turner Prize shortlist</a> </b>was apparent. The </i>Art & Artist Review decided to probe deeper <i>and took the decision to dispense with the traditional 'good critic, bad critic' approach and just stick with the more direct 'bad critic<b>' </b>in the hopes of drawing him out.<b>)</b></i></span><br />
<b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">'Gettin' Awesome'........What the **** is that all about? </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Gettin' Awesome is just what it says. What's so hard to understand? Flags are supposed to exalt and celebrate - what would you prefer on it <i>"AFC Wimbledon - Not bad, just lacking an attacking left back and an aggressive midfielder and then we might have a shot at the play offs" ? </i>OK so I couldn't fit it all in but still....jeeesh! <br />
</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">That's a pretty random expression for a football flag. Is that what's supposed to be so good about it?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm sorry, I can't do you thinking for you... let me just remind you what I said on my wiki page on art <i>"One of the central challenges of post-modern art, is that as the world becomes increasingly utilitarian, functional, and market-driven, the presence of the non-motivated arts, or art which is ritualistic or symbolic, becomes increasingly rare."</i> If you prefer your art packaged and neatly explained then you're looking in the wrong place. I don't do easy stuff...rituals and symbolism are my bread and butter. I can't open a closed mind... I can only enter when invited. <br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>It's vacuous. It sticks out as a work where the artist has clearly run out of ideas. Isn't that really the case?</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Run out of ideas?? RUN OUT OF IDEAS??? Look at the two pictures - can't you see how the work has evolved and developed? Do you think it does it on its own or something? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">OK, let me give you a few clues and pointers...AFC Wimbledon is a breath of fresh air right? A 'fresh wind blowing through football'...well the typography of <b><i>Gettin'</i></b> recalls the infamous 'balloon writing' of the '70s - a holding of the breath ...an inflation and a sucking in that <i>must</i> be followed by the triumphal exhalation - usually (but not always) when a transcendent goal is scored. The resulting <i>inevitable </i>wind is leaving at such speed that not only is '<b>awesome'</b> blown like a flapping ribbon in a storm, but the collective strength of the gale threatens to shake the very fabric of the club itself! The badge veritably<i> bends</i> and <i>leans</i> in the wind - <i>but does not break!</i> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">That the very flag itself was physically changed after that display against Crawley...well that proves the point I think. It came through that furnace of a game like a sword tempered in the blood of its enemies. It is stronger, clearer and more vibrant. Art can transform not only the spectator, but the work itself.<br />
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Vacuous? We'll leave that judgement to posterity ...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now LET ME GO!!!<br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Postscript: On his release Fleydon seemed to suffer another of his 'breakdowns'' and retired to his country retreat in Morden. He has refused to communicate with the outside world although one of his female assistants was heard to mutter that he was having a 'massive hissy-fit' and wouldn't go near his paints. We all here at </i></span><span style="font-size: small;">Art & Artist Review <i>wish him a speedy recovery.</i></span><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<blockquote><br />
</blockquote><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span>Yelfyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12151975456880168482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100035057198208472.post-71617315572908762702009-08-09T00:51:00.006+01:002009-08-09T14:47:11.660+01:00These Boots<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gAU3ePKJSADZX1VL4h7ZeDkVnxmUS4TDq5RHv6xwCMa9BDHdhimlr613aOamq7E4NXBKzMdPY5Q_VZerV6DJPSS2vDULuBIf0Oo99E4FW6kja5Ve-aKM9-Vajz4q7D2KXyakY4jiTR4/s1600-h/090808_134627.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gAU3ePKJSADZX1VL4h7ZeDkVnxmUS4TDq5RHv6xwCMa9BDHdhimlr613aOamq7E4NXBKzMdPY5Q_VZerV6DJPSS2vDULuBIf0Oo99E4FW6kja5Ve-aKM9-Vajz4q7D2KXyakY4jiTR4/s400/090808_134627.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367745079472914994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Another season, another flag... </span>The opening of the new season began, as always at Kingsmeadow, with the traditional <span style="font-style: italic;">'Parade of the Venerable Flags'</span> held at sunrise as the watery orb crept over the Kingston Road End. Last years mascots each held a flag folded in the approved style that were then ceremonially 'offered' and 'declined' by three of the stands before finally being 'accepted' by the Chief Steward at the Tempest End. Each flag was then hung in its approved place according to seniority. A sprinkling of blessed Malt-based Chip Condiment from the Tea Hut, a few seconds of silent contemplation followed by three rousing cheers and the new season was officially under way.<br /><br />Another tradition was also being scrupulously observed - the unveiling of the new flag for the first home game of the season. As usual, at the first hint of a Fleydon-related 'happening', <span style="font-style: italic;">Art & Artists Review </span>were on the spot and eager to talk to the legend himself.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">'These Boots'</span> is a work in the traditional Fleydon style and is sure to delight those who find his more challenging works, such as <span style="font-style: italic;">'Victory'</span> or <span style="font-style: italic;">'Whites of their Eyes'</span> just a step to far. Fleydon himself though saw the work as less than comforting.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"It's disquieting, subversive and slightly sinister. Yes, at first glance it seems almost familiar, a bucolic image of a time long-passed. The clarity of colour and line are based on the Disney colouring techniques that we are all so familiar with and it seems to hark back to a time of childhood innocence and park games. The symbolic representation of daisies sprinkled amongst the grass for example - it's all so good natured and reassuring is it not?"</span><br /><br />Fleydon's referencing of Disney cartoons carries more than just a visual similarity as further contemplation of the work brings on feelings of unease and disquiet, not unlike that bought on by the Wicked Queen in <span style="font-style: italic;">Snow White</span> or the ominous presence of the hunters in <span style="font-style: italic;">Bambi</span>. Then you realise that the focus of the image is not the ball or the players - what we can see of them - but their boots. And what boots they are. No hint of the Fancy-Dan efforts crafted for John Main and Danny Kedwell, it's not even clear that they are designed for football at all.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Boots are a very strong image with many psychological associations- working boots, the stamp of the military boot, the dominatrix, the jackboot, Kipling's poem 'Boots', being 'too big for your boots'</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">and most significantly 'hauling oneself up by the boot-straps'</span>. <span style="font-style: italic;">What we have here are a group of modern players - witness the current strip - harking back to a mental toughness personified by the boots of their illustrious predecessors, the Old Centrals and the Crazy Gang. Boots symbolise power. The Roman Emperor Caligula, for example, was so named because as a small boy he was dressed in miniature military uniforms. Caligula is actually Latin for 'little boots'. What we need at Kingsmeadow are a team of mental Caligula's, ruthless, strong determined and focused - although disemboweling your sister and promoting your horse to positions of authority may be taking it a bit far for most of our current squad."</span><br /><br />The Imperial Roman links are further reinforced with the depiction of Caeser's two-headed eagle. For the first time ever on a Fleydon work the badge and its white backround are missing. This Fleydon informs me, is a symbolic 'freeing' of the bird.<span style="font-style: italic;"> "It's national now...it can spread its wings and fly. The world is its oyster..."</span><br /><br />The other noticible element is the quotation from Nancy Sinatra's 1966 (symbolic in itself?) hit <span style="font-style: italic;">These Boots Are Made For Walking. </span>Walking, not football?<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>So the choice of the lyric isn't intended as a physical threat then more a mental one? <span style="font-style: italic;">"Exactly. When it comes to the game we want to make sure the lads have their psychological studs on. To paraphrase Nancy Sinatra - the season's started so 'Come on Boots - Start Walking!"</span>Yelfyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12151975456880168482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100035057198208472.post-8856372357188891552009-05-09T14:08:00.008+01:002009-05-09T23:35:01.297+01:00Appendix 8: Merton Honours FleydonThe <span style="font-style: italic;">Art & Artist Review</span> were honoured this week to have been invited to a very special Civic Reception hosted by the charming and youthful Mayor of Merton, Councillor Martin Whelton. This very special occasion was expressly to acknowledge Fleydon's achievements and what has been, by any measure, a remarkable season of flag-related art and provided the community as a whole the opportunity to pause, reflect and rejoice. As Councillor Whelton noted in his powerful and emotionally charged speech, over the last year...<br /><blockquote>...Fleydon has provided a beacon, a light, a <span style="font-style: italic;">symbol </span>of all that is good about Merton and it's people. He has shown that the borough is more than just tennis, more than the end of the Northern Line, more even than a few decent Korean restaurants in Raynes Park. With his powerful imagary and razor-sharp intellect he bought joy to a dispirited people. Where there had been<span style="font-family:Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;"> discord, he bought harmony. Where there had been error, he bought truth. Where there had been doubt, he bought faith. Where there had been despair, he bought hope</span> and where there had been hunger he bought chips. But most significantly of all, where there had been spaces, he bought flags. Wycombe Wanderers, Basingstoke, St Albans - names that wil live forever more in the minds of those that were lucky enough to be there. For those that weren't there was always the celebratory match programme and the 'Time Out' article and the chance to rub at least the <span style="font-style: italic;">image</span> of one of his miraculous flags on a wound, sore or chronic skin condition. For these and many other reasons, Merton are proud to bestow on Fleydon the Freedom of Mordon and the hereditary title of Signeur Doigt of St Helier with the subsequent personal lifting of all local parking restrictions.</blockquote>Fleydon himself had shown unusual humility and had extended an invitation to both the team and management staff for the inspirational part they had played in his succesful season.<br /><blockquote>I couldn't really have done it without them. As my collective muse they certainly deserve some of the attention, although not <span style="font-style: italic;">most</span>, obviously. I'm more than happy to permit them to bring along their own trophy and to make tonight a true celebration of both art AND sport. Though mainly the art, because when you get down to it, that's where you find the <span style="font-style: italic;">real</span> money and kudos. </blockquote>The celebratory flag display that greeted the invitees was set out in such a way as to lead the viewer on a spiritual and emotional journey akin to that undertaken by a squire, prior to his elevation to knighthood. As the astute and cleverer amongst you will note, this was a journey not unlike that taken by the club prior to its elevation to the Conference National<span style="font-weight: bold;">.<br /><br />The Grand Entrance:</span> 'We are Wimbledon' & 'Behold the Don'<br />"A statement and a subtle reference to a re-born Messiah. A squire would, of course, had to have pledged himself at an altar before undertaking his personal pilgrimmage. Just so the viewer as they enter the Civic Centre, Merton. A nice start to the evening, don't you think?"<br />[Note: the balloons were donated by the <span style="font-style: italic;">Art & Artist Review </span>and were later distributed to needy children in local schools]<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucDaQEIWW4sEdNiyvrLbKTlS462prpapLLpQbvDPoL4FldCFJyqZz4bZ98ba3AhaiUEFqqSSGAl22Fmq-gZFdFyS5FX-UNxewHrXbQ8gsYBST975tMBwriA_DOxNP8_HKgct0UU2hKpI/s1600-h/CIMG3153.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucDaQEIWW4sEdNiyvrLbKTlS462prpapLLpQbvDPoL4FldCFJyqZz4bZ98ba3AhaiUEFqqSSGAl22Fmq-gZFdFyS5FX-UNxewHrXbQ8gsYBST975tMBwriA_DOxNP8_HKgct0UU2hKpI/s400/CIMG3153.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333812199232116322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Looking Over My Shoulder: </span><span style="font-style: italic;">'The Mystic Tryptych', 'Wombelles' and 'Raising Standards'</span><br />"Themes of struggle and chivalry dominate this sector as mediaeval symbolism, modern combat and delectable maidens all struggle in the artist's psyche. The heads featured below give an idea of the sheer scale and grandeur of the display."<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SgWB7tSIrSI/AAAAAAAADHY/aiy1U2NYuGw/s1600-h/CIMG3152.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SgWB7tSIrSI/AAAAAAAADHY/aiy1U2NYuGw/s400/CIMG3152.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333812196458147106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Withdrawing:<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;">'The Devil is a Don' & 'Nice Clean Sheets'</span><br />"Temptation is the issue here... Maybe issue was a poor choice of word but certainly we need to retain purity of soul and clarity of thought. But are we desperate enough to regain our league place that we are ready to sell our collective soul to the Devil? Will we soil our metaphoric sheets with unclean issue? Metaphorically?"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SgWB7KimzKI/AAAAAAAADHI/wdg-TIdhEDA/s1600-h/CIMG3150.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SgWB7KimzKI/AAAAAAAADHI/wdg-TIdhEDA/s400/CIMG3150.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333812187131989154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Swivel</span>: <span style="font-style: italic;">"A Better Class of Team"</span><br />"The point of transition. We've made our statement, set off on our chivalric crusade, faced our personal demons and temptations and now... through innate decency and built in goodness... find we can rise above them."<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SgWChJ88bxI/AAAAAAAADHo/bYrPFy-Xz5E/s1600-h/CIMG3151.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SgWChJ88bxI/AAAAAAAADHo/bYrPFy-Xz5E/s400/CIMG3151.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333812839809052434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Conclusion</span>: <span style="font-style: italic;">"A Dons Man" </span>and <span style="font-style: italic;">"Form Follows Function"</span><br />"I complete my journey with the contemplative acceptance of a job well done. I have reached a point of transition. I have, as my dear friend Joseph Campbell would say '<span style="font-style: italic;">Followed my Bliss</span>'. With a pipe full of <span style="font-style: italic;">Old Licorice Shag</span> I can lok forward to the season to come and to new challenges, new accolytes and new flags. I cannot change my nature and I find yet again that form does indeed follow function."<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SgWChJ88bxI/AAAAAAAADHo/bYrPFy-Xz5E/s1600-h/CIMG3151.JPG"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SgWB6_aMJsI/AAAAAAAADHA/ogehO3LxGIQ/s1600-h/CIMG3149.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SgWB6_aMJsI/AAAAAAAADHA/ogehO3LxGIQ/s400/CIMG3149.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333812184143898306" border="0" /></a>So we reached the end of the evening. Fleydon was scheduled to give a speech to the assembled masses from the balcony but a surfeit of tuna & sweetcorn sandwiches allied to copious amounts of red wine had rendered the artist insensate. Fortunately the members of the team who were present were approached and proved willing to provide improptu entertainment by displaying their league trophy and conducting a lively sing-along, not unlike Cliff Richards at a damp Centre Court. Fleydon later sent them his thanks to the players and a box of Quality Street by way of appreciation, a kind gesture much appreciated by the beneficiaries.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SgYEDR4z1sI/AAAAAAAADIQ/fkKPYunZT-s/s1600-h/CIMG3148.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SgYEDR4z1sI/AAAAAAAADIQ/fkKPYunZT-s/s400/CIMG3148.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333955263054730946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The Mayor, Players and Manager kindly step into the breech</span><br /></div>Yelfyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12151975456880168482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100035057198208472.post-61431184312431729402009-03-14T21:39:00.006+00:002009-03-16T03:04:57.333+00:00Appendix 7: 'Feel The Pain' - Comic Relief ' Mobbing' UproarFleydon once again found himself in the middle of a media storm when the unveiling of his latest work <span style="font-style: italic;">"Feel the Pain - Grabbed by the Wombles"</span> was hi-jacked on national television as part of a Comic Relief stunt. Unbeknown to the artist a well-known comedian and a controversial talk-show host had planned a <span style="font-style: italic;">'Where's Wally?'</span> inspired jape, secreting themselves at an important sporting event where they would gesticulate and grimace at every passing camera. Vast amounts of money were to be promised by frenzied viewers 'lucky' enough to spot them in a crowd. With an eye for publicity it was perhaps inevitable that the Tempest End was their chosen venue.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SbwlPSWzSGI/AAAAAAAACy8/1z7TlbWOeW8/s1600-h/CIMG2848.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SbwlPSWzSGI/AAAAAAAACy8/1z7TlbWOeW8/s400/CIMG2848.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313162604946081890" border="0" /></a>As the official photographer recorded the unveiling, comedian Peter Kaye leapt to his feet grimacing broadly. His companion, Jonathan Ross, slipped as he too tried to jump but was still able to raise an arm in triumph, treating those in the vicinity to a glimpse of his special 'JR' diamond-encrusted Rolex watch. Stewards were immediatly on hand to protect them from the fury of the dissapointed crowd and to usher the two gentlemen from the stadium. However the damage was already done and Fleydon was forced to retire to the newly erected First Aid hut for a dose of smelling salts and a brisk rub-down with some <span style="font-style: italic;">Hartleys Emulsified Muscle-Rub Emolioment </span>.<br /><br />It was some time before he was able to discuss the new work and in the meantime a corrected image was prepared 'erasing' the pranksters from the picture.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SbwlPxlfNhI/AAAAAAAACzE/l0uIBrW9554/s1600-h/CIMG2852.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SbwlPxlfNhI/AAAAAAAACzE/l0uIBrW9554/s400/CIMG2852.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313162613329180178" border="0" /></a>After overcoming his attack of 'flittering vapours' we asked Fleydon about his latest opus.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;">Q. 'Grabbed by the Wombles'? Surely we are looking at a poor pun here?</span><br />Less a pun really and more a reference. For Wimbledon supporters being 'grabbed by the wombles' has strong connotations. Most famously when Mr Jones met Mr Gascoigne. You can see immediately one the inspirations behind the canvas.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://gamesnet.vo.llnwd.net/o1/gamestar/objects/362667_main.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://gamesnet.vo.llnwd.net/o1/gamestar/objects/362667_main.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>At first glance you could, possibly should, assume that the the message is an inspirational exhortation, reducing the imposition of pain (emotional or physical) as almost a duty, somthing to aspire to. Indeed the very format chosen is that of a motivational workplace poster.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The sort found in Human Resource centres, designed to inspire uninspired staff?<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.motivationalartposters.com/pics/posters_motivational.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 150px;" src="http://www.motivationalartposters.com/pics/posters_motivational.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The very same strong black borders and white writing indeed. As a student of Freud, Jung and Shlipping I am fully aware that these choices are not (indeed cannot be) accidental. Nothing as blatant as certaintly here though for the essence of this work lies in its <span style="font-style: italic;">ambiguity.</span><br /><br />Let me ask <span style="font-style: italic;">you </span>a question for a change. Give you a chance to exercise those <span style="font-style: italic;">little grey cells</span>. Who do <span style="font-style: italic;">you </span>think the screaming head represents?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">My assumption would be that it represents the pain and anguish of either a player or supporter of a team vanquished by AFC Wimbledon</span>. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Is this not the case?</span><br />Well of course it might be. Or it might not. That is the basis of the ambiguity. By referencing Mr Gascoigne above that is the interpretation I would expect of you, a mere critic, but consider my other inspiration. What it is that could turn a mild-mannered, gentle individual of temperate hue and pale complexion into an enpurpled and despairing caracature of himself, with veins like whip-cords and neck muscles bulging like a fistfull of walnuts in a Christmas stocking? I'll tell you what...the awarding of an obviously erronious 95th minute penalty to the opposition, that's what! This blatant injustice at our recent game at Weston-super-Mare wrought fearful changes on one particular individual in my vicinity, changes I refer to as '<span style="font-style: italic;">The Dundonald Effect'</span>. It showed just how deep and personal is the attachment to the club. That and the amount of time and effort the said individual invested in keeping the club financially solvent. Amazing and yet also slightly scary...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">So the screaming individual depicted on the flag might just as easily be a Wimbledon supporter?<br /></span>Exactly. When you support Wimbledon you sign up for the lot. Like a flagellant on the stations of the cross, you expect an emotional whipping along the way but like an addict you keep coming back for more. As I'm sure Mr Jones would put it, the <span style="font-style: italic;">when you're grabbed by the wombles you stay grabbed</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">!</span></blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>Ambiguity, pain, despair and the shriek of the addict who cannot be weaned from their drug of choice. Supporter or opponent it seems that AFC Wimbledon will put us all through the emotional wrangle at some point. Yet again, with his customary skill and genius, Fleydon proves himself once again modern arts<span style="font-style: italic;"> 'master of the oblique'</span>.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>Yelfyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12151975456880168482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100035057198208472.post-3965337617828347102009-03-05T13:23:00.005+00:002009-03-05T18:24:05.586+00:00Fleydon & Time Out MagazineIggy Pop, then Dylan, now Fleydon... Has the artist known for his street-wise sensibilities finally sold out? Will exposure on London's premier arts and listings magazine, and on such a scale, go to his already polished and bulbous head? Can we expect his work to suddenly start appearing on hoardings, bus shelters and adverts? Will he finally follow the path of his estranged former flat-mate Salvador Dali and grab the bucks with both hands? Or is he engaged on a temporary <span style="font-style: italic;">'consciousness raising exercise'</span> before turning once again to his first love, the Tempest End on a Tuesday night in March for the first round of the London Senior Cup? Only time will tell - but be assured that the <span style="font-style: italic;">'Art & Artist Review' </span>will be there for every twist in this already convoluted tale...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SbATeRkINBI/AAAAAAAACwc/-r63JA0kN_Q/s1600-h/TimeOutFlags.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SbATeRkINBI/AAAAAAAACwc/-r63JA0kN_Q/s400/TimeOutFlags.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309765371501753362" border="0" /></a>Yelfyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12151975456880168482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100035057198208472.post-47851793980318687442009-02-15T12:56:00.003+00:002009-02-15T15:04:46.947+00:00The Sam Hatton Commemorative Flag<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SZgSFzpz3WI/AAAAAAAACjs/w_S0x-G-Jdw/s1600-h/CIMG2805.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SZgSFzpz3WI/AAAAAAAACjs/w_S0x-G-Jdw/s400/CIMG2805.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303008452202978658" border="0" /></a>The appearance of a new Fleydon flag is always cause for comment, but the recent unveiling of Sam's Missile at the Tempest End was a event tinged with a hint of confusion and a dab of anti-climax. Originally commissioned as part of the <span style="font-style: italic;">HardBack Dons Sam Hatton 21st Birthday Celebration Package </span>its triumphal unveiling at the St Albans game was intended as the centrepiece of a days festivities that would have included fireworks, choral works and the distribution of alms to the deserving needy of St. Albans, the Hatton home town. However inclement weather caused havoc with the planning and both the game and the majority of the celebrations were abandoned.<br /><br />The Hayes & Yeading evening game was not considered an appropriate occasion for the unveiling and it was felt that the disappointment of this decision led in part to Sam having one of his quieter games of the season.<br /><br />The honour of the unveiling fell to Bath City and its eventual arrival was greeted with a near frenzy of excitement and a powerful surge, only narrowly restrained by the stewards, as Hatton well-wishers saught to obtain a first glimpse of the work. <a href="http://www.wdon.com/wdon/Welcome.html">Radio WDON</a> also picked up on the excitement, but their poor viewing position led to some confusing comments being broadcast to listeners around the globe with regard to both form and content, not unlike the confusion around the London 2012 Olmpic logo and Lisa Simpson.<br /><br />Following the match we were able to snatch a few words with Fleydon about his latest opus:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A&AR:</span> Fleydon, first of all congratulations on the result but I must say this is a bit of a departure for you isn't it?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fleydon:</span> I assume you refer to the lack of badge or AFC symbolism? Well as this was really a work celebrating an individual that seemed slightly superfluous and would have over-crowded an already visually rich work. But I should point out that it's an artistic departure in other ways as well, in as much as it celebrates a current player; employs a moody, atmospheric colour scheme (when I usually favour a bright, high visibility format) and is daring in its use of perspective and narrative comment. It really does make demands of the viewer.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A&AR:</span> I must say when the word was out that you were working on commission for a birthday flag the expectation was that you would make some reference to the birthday itself. Obviously you considered that?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fleydon: </span>Of course, but I dismissed that almost immediately. I am an artist, not a Hallmark Cards Dedication Writer and I was determined to focus on aspects of Sam that were for ever, not just for a day. In light of his recent free-kick prowess that seemed a suitable area for artistic exploration.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A&AR:</span> Sam's Missile? Is that a pun?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fleydon</span>: Less pun, more analogy. One strong memory I have from the news when growing up was the importance of SAM Missiles in modern warfare - SAM standing for <span style="font-style: italic;">Surface to Air Missile</span> of course. Our campaign also relies to a degree on our own SAM missile, although we hope that it goes <span style="font-style: italic;">Surface to Air to Net</span> I suppose, rather than touching orbit*<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A&AR:</span> So we are looking at the 'Target' goal from behind the net - a Tempest View as it were - and are observing the ball eluding the outstretched fingers of a baffled keeper. And what of the gun sight?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fleydon:</span> The gun sight represents Sam Hatton's mental processes when sizing up the ball. A complex mathematical process takes place within his brain which results in the perfect strike - occasionally. I can't do complex mental processes so I did a gun sight instead. Clever stuff eh? The work also has this dark and sombre feel to it. Foreboding and inevitable, these are the emotions of the opposing players and supporters when facing defeat by <span style="font-style: italic;">'SAMAGEDDON'</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A&AR:</span> Some have commented on the interesting use of a graffiti typeface. Any reason for that?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fleydon:</span> Well Sam's quite a young man and I believe that graffiti is quite hip in certain areas. It shows defiance and an anti-establishment stance that goes well with his image of a swashbuckling, carefree ne'er do well, swaggering his way through games. And it made a bit of a change for me of course.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A&AR:</span> Well we here at Art & Artists Review wish both you and Sammy Hatton the very best for the rest of the season and all the more success for Sam and his Mighty Missile.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >*Wags who noted the orbital potential of Sam's first free kick of the game may well have made comments of the 'Sam's Miss-by-a- Mile' variety but should be aware that a strike ration of 1 in 5 is considered a decent return</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" > in most circles</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>Yelfyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12151975456880168482noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100035057198208472.post-50830414901751572512009-01-25T21:34:00.013+00:002009-01-25T22:32:58.391+00:00Fleydon in Perspective - Brazdon and 'Inverted Nationalism'<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SXziEllLJlI/AAAAAAAACYY/z_7Q3M8gaDo/s1600-h/Brazilian+Wombles+Mark+I.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 303px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SXziEllLJlI/AAAAAAAACYY/z_7Q3M8gaDo/s400/Brazilian+Wombles+Mark+I.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295355830316246610" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;font-family:arial;"><blockquote>Brazilian Flag Mk. 1 "The Tea Towel" <span style="font-size:78%;">Picture by Woking John</span><br /></blockquote></div><span style="font-family:arial;">No artist exists in a vacuum - they are shaped and influenced by their environment and their contemporaries. In the case of Fleydon this has included a number of other flag painters who have made their own marks on the contemporary vexilological scene. Some of these are bright sparks who flare brilliantly and are then extinguished - others have a more lasting effect. The</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" > Art & Artist Review </span><span style="font-family:arial;">has sought out some of these contemporaries in oder to trace their effects if any, on the works of Fleydon. In the first of these investigations we look at the work of Wagner the Brazilian whose work is noted for its use of colour and attention to detail</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Fleydon gave us his own impression of his old artistic sparring partner</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" > "What impressed me about these works was the quality of work involved. They are old-school embroidered works, fantastic quality, the sort of craftsmanship that is all to rare these days. The inversion of national symbolism to reflect a local bias is of course one of the areas I explored in "DA's Army" and I think it true to say that although we had a common attitude to our works I was always slightly disapointed that Wagner never expanded his horizons and truly let his imagination fly! Limiting himself to reworkings of a single image would always lead to an imaginative impasse. But then some claim I'm just an intellectual butterfly wheras Wagner is more a rottweiler - when he works over an idea he never lets go! But sometimes it frustrates me- just think Carnival and hot women for example, how Wimbledon is that? Really those needlework skills still have a place in the Tempest End."</span><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SXziErXYlXI/AAAAAAAACYg/aorCR7Oz5dU/s1600-h/Brazilian+Wombles+Mark+II.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 233px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SXziErXYlXI/AAAAAAAACYg/aorCR7Oz5dU/s400/Brazilian+Wombles+Mark+II.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295355831869019506" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;font-family:arial;"><blockquote>Brazillian Flag Mk.2 "Quarter Flag <span style="font-size:78%;">Picture by Woking John</span><br /></blockquote></div><span style="font-family:arial;">In tune with our artistic credentials we then sent our guest artist a series of randomly selected questions of no special merit in the hope that we might catch him off-guard and elicit a revealing response. These are his unedited responses:</span><br /><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotoptimizeforbrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} h1 {mso-style-next:Normal; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; page-break-after:avoid; mso-outline-level:1; font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial; mso-font-kerning:0pt; font-weight:normal;} @page Section1 {size:595.3pt 841.9pt; margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt; mso-header-margin:35.4pt; mso-footer-margin:35.4pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:2056193372; mso-list-type:hybrid; mso-list-template-ids:-320172526 134807567 134807577 134807579 134807567 134807577 134807579 134807567 134807577 134807579;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-18.0pt;} ol {margin-bottom:0cm;} ul {margin-bottom:0cm;} --></style><span style="font-family: arial;">WHEN DID YOU MAKE YOUR FLAG?</span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotoptimizeforbrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} h1 {mso-style-next:Normal; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; page-break-after:avoid; mso-outline-level:1; font-size:14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial; mso-font-kerning:0pt; font-weight:normal;} @page Section1 {size:595.3pt 841.9pt; margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt; mso-header-margin:35.4pt; mso-footer-margin:35.4pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:2056193372; mso-list-type:hybrid; mso-list-template-ids:-320172526 134807567 134807577 134807579 134807567 134807577 134807579 134807567 134807577 134807579;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-18.0pt;} ol {margin-bottom:0cm;} ul {margin-bottom:0cm;} --> </style> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >The original (a.k.a. Tea Towel as referred by some) saw its debut at the Surrey Senior Cup Final at Woking. That was the end of my first season as a Wimbledon Supporter back in May 2005.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >The second (a.k.a. “In your face” or “I’m only just a quarter of the way there”) saw its debut in 2006 at the FA Cup away fixture to Exeter City.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >WHAT WAS THE SOURCE OF YOUR INSPIRATION?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >Well, not too difficult to understand this one. I wanted something which would convey the messages of Brazilians who support Wimbledon. The original (and not inspiring) idea was to have horizontal stripes of blue, yellow and green, but the green just didn’t fit well with yellow and blue – EUREKA –<span style=""> </span>replace the green with blue. Then again, no green, no message of the mighty forests of Brazil. That’s when it came to me: use the Brazilian Flag with Wimbledon colours. One must admit that the Brazilian Flag is almost universally recognised due to Brazil’s success in so many different sports or maybe because everyone knows that the Brazilian President has the honour to always make the opening speech at the United Nations General Assembly (well, that one may not be so universally known).<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >The second, or “quarter flag” derives itself from the number of dissing comments I had that the Mark I version of the flag was tantamount to a handkerchief or tea towel. I then proceeded to work on the new design, inspired by a t-shirt which was popular in the mid 80s in Brazil.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >HOW DID YOU MAKE YOUR FLAG? PAINT, SEWING, CUTOUTS ETC. DID SOMEONE ELSE DO ALL THE WORK?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >They are both sewn. The first, comprises of a piece of blue material, overlaid with a yellow diamond and then the blue circle. The second consists of 2 widths of blue material with the yellow strip and quarter circle sewn to it. That saved me a lot on costs. Can you tell my mum was a seamstress?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >FLAG MAKING. WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IT AS A POTENTIAL CAREER?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >Not in my case. My message is pretty simple: Brazilian and Womble. In your case, you have no way of escaping. You speak through the medium of ensigns.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >IF YOUR FLAG WERE A FILM STAR, WHICH FILM STAR WOULD IT BE?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >The small, probably Dustin Hoffman. Compact, yet full of meaning.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >The large one, probably Marlon Brando. Bigger than it should have been.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >HAS ANYONE SAID SOMETHING UNCOMPLIMENTARY ABOUT YOUR FLAG? WHAT DID THEY SAY? WAS IT NAUGHTY?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >Well, nothing negative. Just the usual mickey-taking. The first was too small and the second I ran out of material, apparently.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >WHEN DO YOU DECIDE TO FLY YOUR FLAG? FA CUP GAMES, WHENEVER POSSIBLE, PLAYOFF FINALS ONLY ETC…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >Well, that’s a bit of a sore subject. I had a bit of an emotional set back earlier this year and decided not to fly the flag anymore, wear a Club shirt or much else except attending the games. I intended to make a comeback for the recent match against Wycombe Wanderers in the FA Cup First Round. The Club asked supporters to register their intent to hang flags but I didn’t hear anything from them. Whether they were too busy to reply or didn’t want my flag to be there is something I’ll ask the Club when they are not so busy. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >ANY FUNNY ANECDOTES ABOUT YOUR FLAG? IF NOT , ANYTHING MILDLY AMUSING? IF NOT, IS IT A BORING FLAG?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >On the second time of hanging the large flag at our away fixture at Harrow Borough, the flag spent most of the game hanging at the wrong side of the wall due to the wind. I needed to get something to tie it down at the bottom.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >I had to wash the same flag after it was completely soaked in beer at the Eastleigh away fixture in the FA Trophy. It was only its third time of use.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >Not amusing but a steep learning curve.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >IF YOU WERE MAKING YOUR FLAG AGAIN, WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >I would probably work out a way to glue the layers and strips of material. Sewing is not for me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >ANY PLANS FOR A NEW FLAG?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >Yep, another Brazilian style blue rectangle, with a yellow diamond and the AFC Wimbledon logo in the centre. I think it will look good.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE THE CORE ATTRIBUTES OF A FLAG?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >It should convey your own message. I find the some of the pre-made flags with some sort of inscription on it rather uninspiring. Sorry but I think a flag should be about yourself and about your message.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >WHAT DO YOU FEEL SHOULD BE THE EFFECT OF YOUR FLAG ON 1. THE PLAYERS<span style=""> </span>2. MANAGER AND SUPPORT STAFF<span style=""> </span>3. THOSE SUPPORTERS AROUND YOU AS YOU PUT IT UP 4. THE CAFE STAFF AT THE TEMPEST END<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >I hope the players and management are inspired by the presence of the supporters, who follow them tirelessly to demonstrate their support. The flags are our way to tell them we are there, no matter what. I think that the flags are exclusively for them, not nearby supporters or staff.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify;"><i style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >MAKING A FLAG. WAS IT WORTH IT? WOULD YOU DO IT AGAIN? WOULD YOU PASS YOUR EXPERIENCES ON TO THE NEXT GENERATION? IF NOT, WHY NOT?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >I love my flags. My two children, who both support Wimbledon, love the flags. They were impressed by the number of hours I employed making them (they did say I was a bit over the top with the second one) but were keen to see the result.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >Would I do it again? You bet.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>Yelfyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12151975456880168482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100035057198208472.post-58266091769390958712008-12-26T00:26:00.002+00:002008-12-26T10:41:52.266+00:00Fleydon 'Imposter' sightedFleydon's high public profile and craving for attention is often in conflict with his litigious nature and his almost pathological insistence on maintaining his anonymity. The result is often a confusion as to who exactly he is and what he looks like which, as he seems content to acknowledge, is no bad think for an individual engaged in the myth-making process.<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />"As usual I've been imitated by a raft of aspiring wannabe's. Banksy for one. That preening oaf approached me when we were playing Raynes Park Vale one Christmas, bought me a mince-pie and engaged me in a very specific conversation about Art and Annonymity. Next thing you know he's the toast of the hip-scene and everyone's asking 'Who is this Banksy?'. Well I know and lets just say that if he pushes his luck too far I might just let his precious annonymity slip. And he's not exactly pin-up material either..."</span><br /><br />His own less than familiar visage has also led to confusion, if not outright deception. The most recent to raise Fleydon's ire appeared in the AFC Wimbledon programme dated 2nd December, produced for the Eastleigh game. Although initially suprised, but not displeased, to see that a number of his flags were reproduced in full colour, Fleydon was then enraged by an article perporting to be an 'exclusive' interview with the artist himself<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SUr5YoFZL6I/AAAAAAAACMY/7XCSmmFu5lY/s1600-h/scan.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SUr5YoFZL6I/AAAAAAAACMY/7XCSmmFu5lY/s400/scan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281307714517544866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">"Well it came as a bit of a shock, opening it up at half-time only to see a photograph of some grinning </span><span style="font-style: italic;">cacafuego picking his nose and calling himself Fleydon... and then going on about 'rallying points for children' and such-like. Made me feel sick to the stomach to tell you the truth. I immediatley contacted the club who were stunned by my revelations. Immediate investigations pointed to the possibility that they'd been had good and proper by someone they now fear was an undercover Chelmsford City supporter. Envy and a distinct lack of flag-hanging space at their own ground had led some to some wag donning the yellow and blue and 'suggesting' the article to the programme staff. A photographer snaps a few pictures, they conduct an interview and 'bang', job done...<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SUr5Zeb2GjI/AAAAAAAACMg/DyIcoKh5Rtk/s1600-h/Scan0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SUr5Zeb2GjI/AAAAAAAACMg/DyIcoKh5Rtk/s400/Scan0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281307729107229234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">"It might be seen as just a harmless bit of fun, a jape or even - at a pinch - a bit of a wheeze. You might point out that no-one was hurt, that worse things have happened at sea. But come on, people now think I'm a bespectacled baldie with nasal problems who only really started watching Wimbledon in 2002. And as for his comments on the creative process....well words fail me. "<br /></span><br />Fleydon has decided not to take action against the club but has engaged a firm of investigators to establish the identity of the Fleydon imposter.<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />"He'll be scratching the other side of his nose by the time I've finished" </span></span>was Fleydon's own rather enigmatic comment.<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> "I don't think he'll be trying that one again..."</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SUr5Z16MExI/AAAAAAAACMo/lVZtrBYvyaA/s1600-h/Scan0002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SUr5Z16MExI/AAAAAAAACMo/lVZtrBYvyaA/s400/Scan0002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281307735408513810" border="0" /></a>Yelfyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12151975456880168482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100035057198208472.post-10962109864614473532008-10-29T01:43:00.022+00:002008-11-18T13:12:14.459+00:00Art in Progress "Birth of a Banner"In October 2008 <em>"Art and Artist Review"</em> persuaded Fleydon (with the lure of large amounts of cash and several cases of inexpensive Australian wine) to document the creative process behind his work. This was the third such collaboration under the hugely influential 'Artist of the Decade' feature- Picasso, Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud had participated in the 70's, 80's and 90's respectively and Fleydon was the unanimous panel choice for the 'Noughties' - an apt decade considering Fleydon's own hedonistic reputation.<br /><br />The documentary found Fleydon in unusual waters as he prepared his entry for the <strong>"Tempest End All Wimbledon Open Flag Show"</strong>, an occasional exhibition that brings together flag makers from all over the country with a fair smattering of overseas entrants from Norway, Jamaica and Brazil amongst others. <em>"Bring 'em on. the more the merrier as far as I'm </em><em>concerned. Doesn't bother me in the slightest."</em> remarked Fleydon laconically <em>"In fact I'd go so far as to say that you need the competition to push the art. For an artist such as myself it's a challenge. Like Tiger Woods playing in the Ryder Cup, the question I have to ask myself is can I adapt my game to meet an unusual situation? Now I'm about to find out</em>."<br /><br />The Flag Challenge has created so much interest that the final will be shown live on Setanta and to celebrate AFC Wimbledon have graciously agreed to hold their <a href="http://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news.php?Psection_id=2&Psub_section_id=1&Open=3739#3739">FA Cup 1st Round match</a> against Wycombe Wanderers during the show in order to provide an appropriate background to the competition. <em>"It's nice to have a bit of action in the background, provided the spectators don't obscure the flags. Setanta and the sponsors will be really hacked off if they do - and I couldn't blame them". </em>For an artist who has made blatant commercialism and product endorsement an art form in itself this steely warning was obviously one not to be taken lightly. And so to the process of creation...<br /><br /><strong>The Idea</strong><br /><br /><em>"I've a large selection of saved or found items that I feel may be of use in future projects and every now and then one of these items forces itself into my sub-conscious demanding it be acknowledged. Such was the case with my old IKEA tab-topped curtains".</em> Plain and dowdy, two pairs of 'natural' cotton curtains had hung to the rear of <em>'Chez Fleydon',</em> the famous surreal home of the artist, until replaced with more suitable 'artistic' drapes. <em>"I wasn't going to let them go to waste so I bought some yellow dye, shoved them in the washing machine and hey </em><em>presto, four new canvas for future use. "</em><em><br /><br /></em><em></em><blockquote><em><em>Step 1. The old IKEA curtains are replaced and dyed in the machine. Note how the<br />dowdy linen is now a vibrant yellow, though still not as vibrant as the<br />shimmering gauze that replaced them. After an iron they were packed in humidity<br />controlled surroundings until Fleydon was struck by the muse.</em></em></blockquote><em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262386515407776338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SQfAp4mvqlI/AAAAAAAABdw/UMZPXp0ZEM0/s400/Old+curtains.JPG" border="0" /></em><br /><em>"During the close season I was lurking on various websites when my attention was drawn to the recurring notion of 'Identity'. In football you often here the chant <strong>"Who are you?".</strong> Intended as an insult (</em>'No matter how famous you think you are, we've never heard of you'<em>) it actually raises an important question. Who, in fact, ARE we? At Wimbledon we pay great attention to this question. Interestingly the debate seems to hinge on one letter - <strong>'A'</strong> and it's position as a prefix - Wimbledon FC or AFC Wimbledon? The white hot debate that this single letter can generate is amazing. It is both the Alpha and the Omega of the debate, though obviously more Alpha really if you think about it. Of itself it means nothing, but then again it also means everything. For an artist this is most intriguing - it is the gap between the </em><em>conscious and the unconscious; it is the back of the sofa down which the coin of reason may </em><em>slip; it is the brand mark on the Wimbledon psyche; the numbered tattoo on the survivors arm. It is both powerful and destructive, that little letter 'A'."</em><br /><br />Fleydon took an unusual artistic stance. Instead of <em>'diving down the back of the sofa after it'</em> as he put it, he decided the best thing was to pretend that the sofa did not exist. <em>"I ignored it, cast it from my mild. As IKEA (where you can get excellent linen curtains ) would have it</em> 'I chucked out the chintz'<em> and concentrated on the core. And for me that core is 'Wimbledon'. Embrace the essence, discard the peripherals, accentuate the positive and, as a result, eliminate the negative."</em><br /><br />As usual Fleydon's initial thoughts took shape on his computer. <em>"I'm thinking of banner rather </em><em>than flag, long enough to proclaim the message but avoiding mention of either AFC or FC. It will be a call to core values. It will be an anthem and a clarion, Roland's horn and the football kicked across the trenches all rolled into one. It will be a giant car-sticker on the rear view window of the ground (for surely that is the role of the Tempest Stand). It will be marvellous!"</em> <blockquote><em>Step 2. The basic layout was based on a car sticker with a bold statement of identity</em><em> backed by the rollicking lyrics to an historic Wimbledon battle tune. The<br />intention was to leave stupefied outsiders in no doubt that indeed, <strong>Wimbledon</strong></em><em><strong></strong> were back in town.</em></blockquote><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SQfAolXNCUI/AAAAAAAABdY/F1dBDPDkrXs/s1600-h/Basic+layout.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262386493062449474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 166px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SQfAolXNCUI/AAAAAAAABdY/F1dBDPDkrXs/s400/Basic+layout.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p><strong>Phase Two:</strong> <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Getting down to business</span><br /></p><p><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">"Having decided on the design I set to work. I tend to start at about ten in the evening as soon as Mrs Fleydon and all the small Feyldons have gone to bed. Then I can concentrate on the work in hand."</span> Although he tried to conceal the fact, hidden cameras caught Fleydon taking the image to a place of work where he pinned the canvas to the wall and projected the two crests upon them. Having drawn the outlines in pencil he had a faint guide to the images.</p><p></p><blockquote>Step 3: The images are projected onto the yellow canvas and pencil is used to pick out the key features. (we were refused access to the workshop for this part of the process)<br /></blockquote>After returning to his studio Fleydon then expertly sliced a bin-liner with an ancient cut-throat razor, inverted the canvas and inserted the thin sheet of plastic.<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic"> " I don't often work with a canvas of two layers, but if I do I don't like the paint to seep through. It offends my sensibilities.. This will stop it short". </span>Although a sensible precaution the addition of a plastic table cloth suggested that the fear of upsetting Mrs Fleydon was a significant factor in the preparations. <p></p><p></p><blockquote>Step 4: A plastic insert helps prevent the paint seeping through onto the table beneath.</blockquote><p></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SQoNt67eDJI/AAAAAAAABeQ/N4SRTOADwtI/s1600-h/Plastic+lining.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263034197099809938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SQoNt67eDJI/AAAAAAAABeQ/N4SRTOADwtI/s400/Plastic+lining.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">"I like to start with the white background when doing a crest. I've two separate crests to do but I intend the yellow dye to act as the background for the FC crest, so that will only require some blue paint. AFC is a right pain though...."</span> Fleydon furrowed his brow in concentration.<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic"> "So many crinkly bits. It's like the coast of Norway."</span></p><p></p><blockquote>Step 5: White emulsion is used to produce the background. The black elements will provide sufficient contrast, so it doesn't have to be too thick.</blockquote><p></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SQoOKrxfiqI/AAAAAAAABew/nZbh9EQImnI/s1600-h/White+background.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263034691247639202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 304px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SQoOKrxfiqI/AAAAAAAABew/nZbh9EQImnI/s400/White+background.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p style="FONT-STYLE: italic">"The black on this particular crest gives it the power and definition. I like to leave it until last so I'm now filling in the red elements of aggression - beak, talons and eyes. I must admit to a certain frisson of excitement at this juncture..." </p><p></p><blockquote>Step 6: Red emulsion (Poppy from the Homebase tester pot collection) is used to define the 'areas of aggression'</blockquote><p></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SQoOK_SMqnI/AAAAAAAABe4/XH9AAhkOKTI/s1600-h/Red+sections.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263034696485087858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SQoOK_SMqnI/AAAAAAAABe4/XH9AAhkOKTI/s400/Red+sections.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p style="FONT-STYLE: italic">"And now for the solidity of power - the black. But here I must use a mixture of brushes to ensure the lines are no crossed. The paint itself is thick, turgid and difficult to spread. I would normally dilute it, but this particular weave will suck and absorb any liquid causing blotching and staining. So I persevere, long into the night, determined to at least complete the outline of this magnificent beast." </p><p></p><blockquote>Step 7: Fine brushes define the outline whilst leaving the larger expanses for less delicate application</blockquote><p></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SQoNwBs7hRI/AAAAAAAABeo/dbEm0eOd0As/s1600-h/Black+edging.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263034233277613330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SQoNwBs7hRI/AAAAAAAABeo/dbEm0eOd0As/s400/Black+edging.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p>It is now 2am and Fleydon has had enough painting. "Come on! Open the wine - I've salami, olives and cheese. Time to make a night of it!" We make our excuses and leave...<br /></p><p><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Next time: </span><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Fleydon tackles the Wimbledon FC crest - but an artistic crisis ensues.</span><br /></p><p>The following day Fleydon was already at work when we stumbled into his workshop in the early hours of the evening.<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic"> "You're late. Come in. Shut the door. I have, as you can see, begun..."</span> With his blue fabric pen Fleydon had blocked out the outlines as a guide. "A risk, but not a great one. When it's painted in blue, no-one will be any the wiser"<br /></p><p></p><blockquote>Step 8: The Wimbledon FC crest. Having been projected onto a second curtain and outlined in pencil, the image outline is further defined by blue fabric pen in preparation for the blue paint.</blockquote><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263468165307244978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpXgdF4wmwwGiOiyTGzgoLGbLpawG7KBEOu4j2-h9eDCu7tOlqAMEMlOhDu2wIow2gCJAeTfzmfY1i-j9qEgLNTN5fvteo1P9Z44mvDuDUKvBlBDDGgTVszwDZBqdKXkztzgjqcNC-3c/s400/Old+Crest+outline.JPG" border="0" /> <p></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpXgdF4wmwwGiOiyTGzgoLGbLpawG7KBEOu4j2-h9eDCu7tOlqAMEMlOhDu2wIow2gCJAeTfzmfY1i-j9qEgLNTN5fvteo1P9Z44mvDuDUKvBlBDDGgTVszwDZBqdKXkztzgjqcNC-3c/s1600-h/Old+Crest+outline.JPG"></a><p>Fleydon then set to with characteristic fervour and vim. When we left him he was still at it, paintbrush slashing here and there, his eyes aglow and a thin sheen of perspiration glistening on his brow <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">"I'll see you tomorrow. And next time bring beer!"</span>.</p><p>Our return the next day was in stark contrast to scene of concentration and excitement of the previous evening. Fleydon was bleary-eyed, clutching a near empty bottle of Lidl Sangria <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">"Two problems I've got. Not one like anyone else but TWO. How fair is that then, eh?"</span> After much coffee and some of our reserve gingerbread, Fleydon explained his crisis.<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic"> "First off it was a mistake to rely on the yellow dye on the FC crest. It doesn't stand out and compared to the AFC crest it is plain, dowdy and unassuming. It's supposed to be a meeting of equals dammit!!I mean look at it. God knows I even tried painting a different coloured yellow over the dye but that didn't work. Pathetic. I've decided to leave it, but it will mock me every time I look at it."</span></p><p></p><blockquote>Step 9: The crests are not the meeting of equals that Fleydon hoped.</blockquote><p></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SQubUiJIt2I/AAAAAAAABfw/f9oFE8DumpI/s1600-h/CIMG2210.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263471366577370978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SQubUiJIt2I/AAAAAAAABfw/f9oFE8DumpI/s400/CIMG2210.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">"My second problem is of a different order of magnitude. I can't position the lettering until the two halves are joined but that will make a banner of nigh on 14ft. Where can I find a wall that big??</span> This last comment seems to be a reference to his use of a projector to aid with both depicting and sizing of letters. Today, it seemed that all the modern aids were going to be useless. <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">"I'll have to use the old ways"</span> Fleydon remarked ruefully <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">"Pencils, rulers and ages spent on getting the spacing right</span>. <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">With the smaller lettering I can use photocopies as templates,but even that's a pain.</span> <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">I'm beginning to wish I hadn't started now. Ambition will be my downfall..."</span><br /><blockquote style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Step 10: The smaller lettering is printed out and checked for spelling errors. Looks good so far...</blockquote><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SQuX7lkFwgI/AAAAAAAABfQ/wf2JxIA58-A/s1600-h/CIMG2206.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263467639464116738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SQuX7lkFwgI/AAAAAAAABfQ/wf2JxIA58-A/s400/CIMG2206.JPG" border="0" /></a> <blockquote style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Step 11: At home Fleydon cuts out the shape ready for a rough positional fitting</blockquote><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SQuX8BQzeqI/AAAAAAAABfY/ZAhKJWQNlZw/s1600-h/CIMG2207.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263467646899419810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SQuX8BQzeqI/AAAAAAAABfY/ZAhKJWQNlZw/s400/CIMG2207.JPG" border="0" /></a>Fleydon stood on a chair and looked down at the roughly positioned cloth and paper, now for the first time taking a semblance of its final form. <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">"The positioning looks good and the sizing just about acceptable. Now I have to prepare myself for the joining of the curtains. At that point the banner is born and takes on a life of its own. I then act as nursemaid to the lettering. My least favourite aspect. Give me an interesting image any day...</span>"<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><br /></span><blockquote><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Step 12: And a final check shows that the minor problems are not insuperable</span>. </blockquote><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SQuX8bnwBfI/AAAAAAAABfg/hRNNw1Xmafc/s1600-h/CIMG2208.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263467653974984178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 272px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SQuX8bnwBfI/AAAAAAAABfg/hRNNw1Xmafc/s400/CIMG2208.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">"I'm beginning to find this discouraging. It's not like art as I know it, more graphic design, but maybe that will all change with the ceremonial joining of the halves tomorrow."</span> Fleydon sighed, took his blanket and headed for bed. It would seem that even the greatest of artists can be discouraged in their work<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Next time: The Ceremonial Splicing of the Curtains. </span>Make or break time... and then the lettering beckons<br /><br />When we next spoke to Fleydon he was anxiously awaiting the return of his banner from the outworkers to whom he had entrusted it. <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">"I don't do sewing. That's not my role. I'm the creative force and I tend to leave the basic stuff to professionals. Beside trying to thread up one of those machines is a nightmare. One thing's for sure though, if they muck this up I'll have their guts for garters."<br /></span><blockquote>Step 13: Sweat-shop labourers are forced to work long hours for a pittance as Fleydon 'out-sources' his sewing. The two separate halves are united into one banner.</blockquote><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SRDsP9jvN9I/AAAAAAAABf4/7nP581Y8360/s1600-h/CIMG2212.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264967723362760658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SRDsP9jvN9I/AAAAAAAABf4/7nP581Y8360/s400/CIMG2212.JPG" border="0" /></a>The banner is returned safely and now the spacing of letters can be attempted with some degree of confidence. <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">"The ruler is out and now I have to position the cut out letters in an accurate manner. This is no time for a wobbly hand or faint heart. After tracing around them in pencil I redo it in a felt-tip pen and finally follow it up with paint</span>. <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">It is a long and arduous process. It's a drudge really but at least the letters are manageable. Next up is the main WIMBLEDON lettering, but first I have to establish how much space I have to play with. Excuse me whilst I crack on..." </span>With that Fleydon impatiently waved us away. His head bowed, he had lost his characteristic exuberance and seemed resigned to the long haul. Could we be witnessing the cracking of a great spirit under the twin strains of typography and a deadline?<br /><blockquote>Step 14: Paper letters are positioned, drawn around then disposed of. Felt-tips mark the edges, a broad brush establishes the outline before a coarser brush is used for the infill. Now Fleydon can establish the size available for his main message</blockquote><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SRDuauBb_YI/AAAAAAAABgA/7Ylh0BLfGfk/s1600-h/CIMG2258.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264970107194178946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SRDuauBb_YI/AAAAAAAABgA/7Ylh0BLfGfk/s400/CIMG2258.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Next time: In the home strait Fleydon struggles to come to grips with his main message. Is 'Wimbledon' just too big for him?<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Fleydon had regained some of his old spark when we next spoke to him <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">"Yes I</span></span><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italicfont-size:100%;" > </span><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic;font-size:100%;" >admit I was despondent at times but that's all part of this alchemical process I like to call genius.</span><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italicfont-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Now, at last, I have defined my problem. I have a space in the middle of my work 65 cm x 220cm and that space is earmarked for 'Wimbledon'. Using Word Art I wrote out Wimbledon in capital letters and tried and rejected a number of typefaces, looking for an easy but effective visual experience. I then pulled and twisted the text until it was the same ratio on the computer - in this case 6.5cm x 22cm. Then it was a simple case of measuring all the significant elements on paper before scaling them up."</span> Fleydon through back his head and gave a leonine roar of laughter<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic"> "Easier said than done though. This was on a big scale. Still a work of genius mind you..."</span><br /></span><blockquote><span style="font-size:100%;">Step 15: The printout is measured an used in turn to define key elements for the main text. </span><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Note the delicate scribbles and the consideration absorbed in this draft copy. Deep thought that reminiscent of Da Vinci. Ignore the black paint.</span><br /></span></blockquote><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SRI6glIjddI/AAAAAAAABgY/2dG0_lNeqBY/s1600-h/CIMG2264.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265335245747746258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SRI6glIjddI/AAAAAAAABgY/2dG0_lNeqBY/s400/CIMG2264.JPG" border="0" /></a>The initial working were completed in pencil but when generally happy overall with the positioning they were reinforced in felt tip. The next stage involved use of a fine brush to establish the edges before the large brushes can move in with impunity. As Fleydon commented about his work on this project <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">"My imagination was dulled with such drudge work but by god it's what your right arm's for, it really gets you back to basics. Especially when you cant even get hold of a decent metal 1m long ruler and have to make due with a straight lines from an old Venetian blind!"<br /></span><blockquote>Step 16: The measurements are painstakingly transferred leaving a faint pencil outline on the sheet. This is reinforced with black felt-tip marker, just about ready for the application of the powerful blocks of black lettering</blockquote><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SRI6foGXjHI/AAAAAAAABgI/LizAKSDSJhM/s1600-h/CIMG2259.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265335229364014194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SRI6foGXjHI/AAAAAAAABgI/LizAKSDSJhM/s400/CIMG2259.JPG" border="0" /></a>Later that evening we found a flushed, exhausted but triumphant Fleydon smeared in black paint, greeting us at his door. <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">"I did it, it nearly broke me but I did it. Cleared me out of paint though - I had to replenish my stocks of Homebase Masonry tester pots, black with a smooth finish, finest black paint on the market. I did use textured finish once, in error, but it was a disaster. Anyway, on it went in bulk, on by far the most expansive area of black in my whole oeuvre. It's taken me hours and now it's up to dry - and what a surprise for my daughter on her birthday. I bet she'll love it. Not that its for her though. Far too valuable for playing with..." </span>We were ushered in to the inner sanctum to catch a glimpse of it hanging in situ, drying gently in the still morning air. It is no exaggeration to say that we were struck with both shock and awe. Our first impression was that it was both perfect and complete. But for a genius such as Fleydon there was always more to do. "<em>Finished? Not yet, now comes the dressing and the practicalities of hanging. But I can take a step back and have a few day's breather. I'm not as young as I used to be. Art takes it out on you, both physically and mentally."</em></p><p></p><blockquote>Step 17: Hanging out to dry in all its Glory. But still, as yet, unfinished.</blockquote><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SRI6gN3iknI/AAAAAAAABgQ/IhC5j6wLuQc/s1600-h/CIMG2262.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265335239502369394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SRI6gN3iknI/AAAAAAAABgQ/IhC5j6wLuQc/s400/CIMG2262.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Next time: </span>Finishing touches as Fleydon considers the coming competition<br /><p></p><p>Come the day of the exhibition and Fleydon is on site early. <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">"A true artist will always consider the positioning of their work. It can make or break you."</span> It was also apparent that the tabs had been removed and some re-positioned above and below the main message. "<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Hanging tabs you know. Very important for the final look of the piece. It's attention to detail that impresses the judges and I've got attention to details in spades"</span> The main stand is filling with works of art all vying for the top spot and the accolades that follow.<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic"> "I'm mainly interested in the art groupies"</span> remarks Fleydon casually, <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">"Although the money comes in useful of course."</span></p><blockquote>Step 18: The end tabs are removed and a number repositioned along the top and bottom to give secure anchorage points </blockquote><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SR_6Wczn8OI/AAAAAAAACAg/UnLvfUWTlXY/s1600-h/CIMG2327.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269205352643555554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SR_6Wczn8OI/AAAAAAAACAg/UnLvfUWTlXY/s400/CIMG2327.JPG" border="0" /></a>Modesty forbade Fleydon from telling us how he did in the <strong>"Tempest End All Wimbledon Open Flag Show"</strong> but press photographs shows both team and mascot stunned into silence at the quality of the art on display and Fleydon had a smug, self-satisfied smile when we next met him. <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">"Lets just say that I'm having a very nice time at the moment and am looking forward to reprising my performance next year."</span> He gave us a wink before turning and making his way back towards his studio. We couldn't help but notice the close attention he was receiving from several excited young women clutching portfolios and bottles of wine. It seems the old lothario had struck gold yet again...<br /><p><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgudMGANL1NrEUDdHlBIJGlk3-9PBu0JPxvF98o1djOORBb43B4Qf-H1x8DxmfWxPJFXOwVuwb-VTdH-BZ3xO0uH39KmSkBP-lIbWaRf0lel3ahFV57eDTHL1cNqO9p_V5OG8Isq2CPM/s1600-h/Crop+We+are+Wimbledon+(2).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268283011584238674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 386px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgudMGANL1NrEUDdHlBIJGlk3-9PBu0JPxvF98o1djOORBb43B4Qf-H1x8DxmfWxPJFXOwVuwb-VTdH-BZ3xO0uH39KmSkBP-lIbWaRf0lel3ahFV57eDTHL1cNqO9p_V5OG8Isq2CPM/s400/Crop+We+are+Wimbledon+%282%29.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">AFC Wimbledon look over-awed by the quality of flags on display, especially 'We Are Wimbledon', the sight of which sent them into a stunned silence. They later lost their FA Cup 1st round match 4-1 but Man of the Match Luke Garrard admitted concentrating had been difficult "We kept on wanting to look at the flags...I mean football's all well and good, but everyone knows that vexillology is where it's at. It's where all the best looking girls go and the guys are so well paid and everything. Sometimes it's so frustrating knowing that however good with home-made paper flags you might be, to get a flag up there it's a whole new ball-game. But credit to them, they're the professionals" . </span></span><br /></p><p><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><br /></span></p>Yelfyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12151975456880168482noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100035057198208472.post-67536140850605972972008-10-18T21:39:00.001+01:002008-10-18T21:58:45.559+01:00Appendix 1: "No Worries!"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SPpDPCU-HEI/AAAAAAAABdA/NhbaHtTPUeo/s1600-h/No+Worries%21.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SPpDPCU-HEI/AAAAAAAABdA/NhbaHtTPUeo/s400/No+Worries%21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258589440510401602" border="0" /></a>A 'yellow and blue' depiction of cult hero Alfred E. Neuman helped to steady Wimbledon's nerves following a John Main goal drought and a couple of less than reassuring performances. Talk was in the air of 'wobbles' and of striking partnerships not quite coming off and this, allied to a couple of shaky defensive performances (albeit tempered by keeping two clean sheets against Dover) had persuaded Fleydon that it was a time for cool heads and a sense of perspective. The calming presence of Alfred E. Neuman ("What - Me Worry?") overlays a faded but still present 'will to win', as represented by the club crest. True, the crest is somewhat faded - representing as it does the cathartic release provided by promotion , but the aggressive red beaks indicate that the predator can never be satisfied with the status quo. Stamped across the crest is the answer to Alfred's unasked query and proof of the supporter's faith in their team "NO WORRIES" - no worries that we will prosper, no worries that we will win, no worries that John Main will start scoring again, no worries that Wimbledon are, indeed, the greatest team the world has ever seen.Yelfyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12151975456880168482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100035057198208472.post-82780416076212986912008-10-18T21:28:00.004+01:002008-10-29T10:23:11.622+00:00Appendix: After the ExhibitionFollowing the successful conclusion of the Tate Modern's Fleydon Retrospective, the artist has produced further works that continue to work on his themes of alienation, wonder, sex and AFC Wimbledon.<br /><br />As an appendix to the official catalogue we are happy to provide details of more recent works as well as profiling other contemporary flags that often flew alongside those works featured in the Fleydon oeuvre. It may be that scholars of the future may be able to detect terrace influences and themes that are not so clear to those of us so close to the action, and it is to these scholars of the future that we dedicate these entries.Yelfyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12151975456880168482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100035057198208472.post-48301403955322266292008-04-29T23:46:00.013+01:002008-12-09T15:17:00.168+00:00Composition on a Pagan Theme ("Stick Ra")<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SBrDjm__LeI/AAAAAAAAA_g/UFO2ZzyENyw/s1600-h/Stick+Ra.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195680136657055202" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SBrDjm__LeI/AAAAAAAAA_g/UFO2ZzyENyw/s400/Stick+Ra.jpg" border="0" /></a>And so we come to the final flag in what has been a most spectacular and enlightening exhibition. This last exhibit brings the Fleydon story bang up to date - and what a curious work it is. Small, apologetic almost, it oozes a quality not seen in any of Fleydon's previous works, that of...humility.<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />"We were approaching the play-offs. The tension was unbearable. Grown men were ashen-faced and women whimpered and shook with tension. It was</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> a terrible mix of 'deja vu' and dread. No-one dared express confidence for fear that confidence be shattered. It was a strange and terrible time. The best of times, the worst of times. Personally, as an artist, I felt<br />powerless. For two years I had shouted defiance, screamed at our adversaries,' taunted the fates...and what had it bought me? Two play-off defeats and the thrill of being turned over by every relegation-threatened team in the league. Whatever I thought I was doing wasn't working. I was drained and at the end of my tether. And you know that's when I started hearing the voices..." </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></blockquote></span><div>Felydon's aural delusions coincided with a period of religious and personal upheaval. Having professed most of the orthodox religions at one time - attracted more it seemed by the regalia, interesting smells and obscure imagary than by any true conviction - Fleydon now found himself looking for solace in an unusual place.<br /><br /><em><em>"Of course I'd heard of Stick Ra, but I didn't know much about him. He doesn't thrust himself at you like some Gods might, you know... Anyway I saw a picture of this powerful, shamanic figure and I knew that, at last, I was coming home. Everything made sense. Everything was right. When I looked at his totems and fetishes, his cheeky mask and his nut-brown Ghandi legs I knew I'd found what I was looking for."<br /><br /></em></em></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><em></em></div><div></div><div>Just in time for the Hornchurch game Fleydon prepared a simple expression of hope. It took the form of a sincere and very humble appeal to Stick Ra to, <em>'if it wasn't too much bother'</em> protect and deliver the team and its supporters from the Rymans League. <em><em><br /><br />"I didn't fly it in my usual pace, but chose an isolated corner of the Tempest and didn't put it up until just before kick-off. I spent most of the game in silent prayer and - Stick Ra's name be praised - we overcame the Urchins to progress to the final. I learnt a big lesson that day. The Meek Shall Inherit the Blue Square South. I intended to be meek from that day forth.</em></em><em><em><em><br /><br />In design and concept I suppose I was influenced by those Tibetan flags whose fluttering carries their message to the gods above. Except that I had to tie mine down of course as it gets a bit annoying on a windy day and people who get hit by it's flailing edges can get slightly annoyed, but the message seemed to get through anyway. To be truthful I felt it was a flag flown for me, for my benefit, not crowds... and that made it a very powerful and<br />spiritual tool. Even if it looks a bit boring."</em></em></em><br /><em><em><br /></em></em></div><div></div><div></div><div><em></em></div><div><em></em></div><div> </div><div>Now describing himself as a '<em>Stickrologist'</em> Fleydon is happy to pass on a sizeable percentage of his income (or 'tithes' as it is referred to), as well as the undoubted cache of his name for the furtherance of the Latter-day Church of Stick Ra.<br /><br /><em><em>"I don't define myself as an artist anymore. I'm an acolyte and a seeker of the true light, currently undertaking instruction from one of the Elders and searching for the hero within. Let me witness that, despite what the Daily Mail says*, it's a great organization, a holy organization and with luck it'll see me through to the Conference National. In the meantime, and until it does, can I ask you a question? Are you worried about the state of the Earth at this moment in time...? No? Well maybe you'd like to read 'The Flag-Tower'? Come along to<br />one of our informal cake and pie nights? We have virgins you know...?"<br /><br /></em></em></div><div><em></em></div><div><em></em></div><div>Leaving Fleydon, with his radiant face and supine posture, I can only hope that this negation of the artistic within him was a temporary measure. Throughout the exhibition tour he had blown hot and cold , ranted and raged, sworn and smiled as he relieved the traumas and emotions of a an extreme artistic life. If nothing else he had always been a cauldron of emotion but here, right at the end, it seemed the cauldron was on simmer and the flame turned low. Whether he ever produces another work only time will tell but surely even the opiate of religion will be unable to quench such a mighty soul for long?<br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong> </div><div><strong></strong> </div><div><strong>Composition on a Pagan Theme ("Stick Ra") </strong>is the property of <em>The Stick Ra Religious Enterpise Co.</em> of Florida.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:78%;">*</span><em><span style="font-size:78%;">"</span>Weeping Stick Ra Image In Stained Towel 'A Bogus Fraud!' Lady Di Trial Told" </em></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Daily Mail 14 August 08</span></div>Yelfyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12151975456880168482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100035057198208472.post-41542574364444297642008-04-21T17:27:00.007+01:002008-12-09T15:17:00.277+00:00Composition in Navy Blue and Flesh ("Whole Pitch")<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SAzH2tSnGCI/AAAAAAAAA-w/klGvIysIJ8M/s1600-h/CIMG1134.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/SAzH2tSnGCI/AAAAAAAAA-w/klGvIysIJ8M/s400/CIMG1134.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191744213135857698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Georgia;">Can there possibly be a work of more intense intellectual significance than <span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">"Whole Pitch"</i></span>? This is a creation that is so often referenced as a synopsis of the whole cult of 'Western Male Anxiety', a work hailed and revered by such diverse groups as Marxists, Feminists, the Avant Garde and the Wandsworth Prison Warder Association, that to review it here seems almost sacrilegious. And yet for a work of such depth and profundity it seems so ... <i>innocent.</i></span><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">Fleydon himself is so convinced of it's importance that he insisted a whole room of his exhibition be dedicated to this single flag.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> "I am by birth a Western Male and it is the vision of the Western Male that has shaped the world in which we live. Like myself, this work is charged with a profound sexuality and unfathomable depths of both power and vulnerability. Truly a soul-baring experience both to create and to contemplate." </span><br /><br />Standing together in the dimly lit room, the back-lit image resplendent before us, I felt a shiver of excitement run down my spine. Looking across at Fleydon's fine, leonine profile, his thatch of golden hair swept back, mane-like over his broad shoulders I found myself caught up in the majesty of the moment. When Fleydon turned and looked at me with his slate-grey eyes I felt truly <i>transfixed</i>, a moth caught in the destructive light of his bright candle.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> "It's all in the eye you know"</span> he said slowly and with a calm, measured voice <i style="font-style: italic;">"The 'Male Gaze' beloved of cinematic auteurs. Voyeurism. Peep-Shows. What the Butler Saw. The Private (Prying?) Eye. The inescapable fact is that the whole of Western Male sexuality, and therefore Western Art, is based on the concept of the all seeing, all devouring, yet distancing,</i><span style="font-style: italic;"> eye. To see is to objectify, to render the </span><em style="font-style: italic;">object</em><span style="font-style: italic;"> of the gaze less powerful, less threatening, less </span><em style="font-style: italic;">unknowing</em><span style="font-style: italic;">. Typically the female form, of course, with its uncertain depths of devouring fecundity, but the Western Male's need to see, record and list and </span><em style="font-style: italic;">control </em><span style="font-style: italic;">spills over into other areas of anxiety. Life, death, religion .... and AFC Wimbledon.<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Anxiety is the common currency of all male supporters, myself included, an anxiety centred, of course, around notions of </span><em style="font-style: italic;">performance</em><span style="font-style: italic;">. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Performance</span> is the dread yardstick by which the supporter nervously measures himself against his peers. 'We didn't perform today. Will we perform next week or are we now too anxious?" Such corrosive attitudes can </span><em style="font-style: italic;">only </em><span style="font-style: italic;">be held in check by the Male Eye diffusing the anxiety by observing and objectifying that which is laid before it. A barrage of facts and figures line-ups, whose in , whose out, points lost, points gained, goal difference, shots on target, bad refereeing decisions, all are noted and recorded by the gaze.<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-style: italic;">'We must have been watching a different game' they cry, and so of course we were. We each watch the game that serves our needs. We each take from it what we </span><em style="font-style: italic;">need</em><span style="font-style: italic;"> to see and </span><em style="font-style: italic;">want </em><span style="font-style: italic;">to see. In a very real sense NutsTV provides us all with </span><em>football pornography</em><span style="font-style: italic;">, edited highlights that reduce the anxiety, even when we withdraw in limp defeat."</span></span><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">So much more has been written on the inherent anxiety symbolism within the work by the likes of Camille Paglia and Germain Greer that we must step back a pace and accept our limitations, both of space and time. However I did broach the fact that the male depicted had only one eye. Was there any reason for that? And what of the slogan <span style="font-style: italic;">'I can see the whole pitch from here, and the Dons are all over them!' ?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"> "In brief, two eyes imply depth of field and vision. A single eye, however, is a concentrated burst of light, transfixing in a second. Think of HAL, the Eye on the Tower in <em>Lord of the Rings,</em> Bunuels symbolic slicing of the eye (female this time - we can brook no competition!), Daleks and the mighty Cyclops. I htink we can say that Eye = I (see) squared."</span></p><p style="font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">He gave a faint smile and continued</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-style: italic;">With regard to the text, the 'Whole Pitch'? is an obvious metaphor for the bed, scene of primal anxiety and displacement - Have you ever thought of the range of activities men use to distance themselves from the emotional envelopment of the female? I ask you, what are fantasies of cuckoldry, sex toys, lesbianism and even bestiality? Obviously they are nothing more than projections of male anxiety, hasty barricades erected against rampant, emotional, </span><em style="font-style: italic;">devouring</em><span style="font-style: italic;"> nature of female sexuality. By allowing something more reliable, more willing and more able to step in the anxious male can remove the anxiety (I can't fail if I'm not present) and retire to preserve his fragmented feelings of control through his 'controlling' gaze often represented by his camera or video recorder. Not that I have that problem of course, but I believe lots of others have and they tell me all about it.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;">Then there's the exultant shout 'The Dons are all over them!' - sexual again of course, I mean do you want me to draw you a picture? Or better still would you like a discreet photograph or two or two?</span><br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Georgia;" > <o:p></o:p></span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:12;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Uncertain of his intentions and wary of the sudden glint in his eye, I declined his offer and we moved on in uneasy silence.</span></span></p><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span><span style="font-weight: bold;">3.9 Composition in Navy Blue and Flesh ("Whole Pitch") </span>is on view courtesy of the Heffner Foundation, Las Vegas.</span></span><br /></span>Yelfyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12151975456880168482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100035057198208472.post-42095194170962388152008-03-29T19:03:00.005+00:002008-12-09T15:17:00.758+00:00Composition in Rainbow Hues ('Trust')<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3f_YbE6BSLAQRh7JSBUZNOY-PR0F987FUNfb-i7NqXgizvlKaExHMlvOs7KWWR9xnBfcZ3xiKAFeokp2o-khWrN5USJRDrPF5lBTxJni1pVJiBv_UrmRRYWcVUeQk_2CP3YHgAkng7K0/s1600-h/trust.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3f_YbE6BSLAQRh7JSBUZNOY-PR0F987FUNfb-i7NqXgizvlKaExHMlvOs7KWWR9xnBfcZ3xiKAFeokp2o-khWrN5USJRDrPF5lBTxJni1pVJiBv_UrmRRYWcVUeQk_2CP3YHgAkng7K0/s400/trust.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183241818355662162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">"Up until this point in my career I had sneered at commissions, regarding the filthy lucre as tainted money that despoiled the pure fountain of art. However the impending divorce from my estranged Nigerian wife Constance left me somewhat...on the back foot. When the Dons Trust came knocking I was in no position to decline their generous offer"</span><br /><br />Constance Fleydon is a shadowy figure in the early life and career of the artist and little is known about her, other than rumors that they met through an elaborate internet marriage scam that went badly wrong. Cited by many as an early muse she has, over the years, achieved a reputation in Fleydon mythology akin to a combination of Lucretia Borgia, Yoko Ono and Winnie Mandela, which is no mean feat for a woman of whom no known photograph exists. Fleydon's muttered retort that <span style="font-style: italic;">'vampires don't leave an image'</span> is an entertaining but fanciful explanation for her uncanny ability to maintain such a low profile<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"The Dons Trust brief, such as it was, consisted of the phrase 'JOIN THE TEAM' - apart from that I was left to my own devices. What emerged was, to all intents and purposes, a fine example of inclusivity and harmony. A set of people of all hues and genders joining together to embrace, protect and empower the whole concept of AFC Wimbledon. A very tidy design, I think you'll agree. Certainly the clients were well pleased and the art world responded positively to the work, noting and enjoying the restraint that such a brief imposed upon me - I recall one buffoon remarking </span><span style="font-style: italic;">'The wild rose clipped produces the sweetest flowers', </span><span style="font-style: italic;">which just goes to show what he knows."<br /><br /></span>Pulling on my tie to bring me down to his own, wheel-chair bound level he smirked and hissed his confession in my ear<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Actually I was pretty pissed off with Constance who fleeced me before running off and setting up shop with a newsagent called Hector. What made it worse was that Hector was a friend and ex-body model of mine I used in my 'Tom of Finland' phase and he was able to supply Constance with certain...err...'facts' that I didn't really want exposed to the tabloids, especially regarding my 'predilections' for engaging in certain 'activities' whilst wearing Dons garb. Not that we haven't all indulged, of course...just that some of us would prefer it kept under wraps, as it were. As part of the terms imposed upon me I was to maintain a silence over the details of the settlement. But there's more than one way to skin a cat - allegory and imagery are part and parcel of an artist's mental make-up. What the picture actually depicts is less a vision of gender and hue embracing a common cause, but my two 'face-less' friends the body model and the invisible woman, publicly hanging me out to dry just before dropping me altogether."<br /><br /></span>He shook his head ruefully before concluding<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />"As a wise sit-com character once remarked - 'Tricky chap, Johnny Marriage'..."<br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Composition in Rainbow Hues ('Trust') </span>is the proud property of the <a href="http://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/aboutthetrust.php?Psection_id=10">Dons Trust</a>, owners of AFC Wimbledon. It will be flown annually as part of the traditional <span style="font-style: italic;">'Post-Voting' Membership Apathy Round-Up Festival.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>Yelfyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12151975456880168482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100035057198208472.post-63061260825850451852008-02-29T18:49:00.008+00:002008-12-09T15:17:00.922+00:00Composition in Yellow, Blue and Spanish ('Frankie')<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCl6ymg58AgCzgt_34FEGdqPXDkn7xqx2hPJ9hVyBpwTrdqqnnvNlF07npD5HIGYiw11qc8ksx-Ps6kFsA0c-VdGvnzTAu8zojeYwCTEB3BI0eI2kl11hIB2GRnZYMG5nWBiWjrWpsos/s1600-h/CIMG0780.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172477360052554530" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCl6ymg58AgCzgt_34FEGdqPXDkn7xqx2hPJ9hVyBpwTrdqqnnvNlF07npD5HIGYiw11qc8ksx-Ps6kFsA0c-VdGvnzTAu8zojeYwCTEB3BI0eI2kl11hIB2GRnZYMG5nWBiWjrWpsos/s320/CIMG0780.JPG" border="0" /></a><em>(Background – Following the announcement that club stalwart Antony ‘Frankie’ Howard was leaving the club for America, Fleydon was apparently approached by both the Cuban artist Jay Cee and a representative from the secretive but influential Kent Wombles association. Telephone records indicate that their radical proposal was for Fleydon to produce and lend his name to a flag designed by Jay Cee and to be commissioned and presented by the Men of Kent. To the surprise of many Fleydon appeared to accepted this minor role, especially in light of his recent comments that he</em> “must be left free to plough my own damn artistic furrow – however wobbly it might be<em>”. However events on the day belied this backroom status as Fleydon seemed to dominate proceedings with tannoy announcements, public signings, special all-access clearance to the President’s Lounge and the total usurping of the post-match award ceremony. This exhibition of preening self-congratulation and obsequiousness was of Winkleman-esque proportion as Fleydon took every opportunity of projecting and promoting both himself and his works in a shameless display leaving the assembled audience stunned and embarrassed. For some reason neither Jay Cee nor the Man of Kent were present for the ceremony and their current whereabouts are unknown. Relatives are highly concerned and appeal for anyone with information to make themselves known.)</em><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></em>The 'Commissioned Work' has a long and and distinguished history in the world of art - the Sistine Chapel being one of the more notable examples - but it came as a surprise to find that that Fleydon was happy to accept not only a commission, but also to work in collaboration with the Cuban artist <span style="font-style: italic;">Jay Cee. </span>For an individual renown as having an ego the size of a Hillman Minx what, I wondered, persuaded him to contribute.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"I could say it was the stimulating need to justify my ideas to a co-worker; I could claim that a co-operative work was a suitable tribute to a great servant of the club; I could claim that it was the challenge to work within prescribed limits that intrigued me. However, to be honest I figured that I wouldn't have to do much myself as passable flag had been designed already (and lets face it I'm far more famous than that Cuban lothario and every one would think it was my design anyway). There was a good chance the finished work would end up on the box with my name associated with it and a good chance I would probably appear in the next matchday programme. I had heard that 'Hello!' magazine were sniffing around as well so with just a bit of extra effort on my part I reached a whole new market. From my point of view this was a win-win situation all round and, as they say, all publicity is good publicity!"<br /><br /></span>With a wink and a cocky-cockney saunter Fleydon moved on down the line to his next work leaving me both disheartened and disillusioned. Had being labeled<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> "The World's Greatest Living Artist"</span></span><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="font-size:0;"> </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">finally gone to Fleydon's head? His willingness to profit from others hard work in order to make a quick buck reminded me of Salvador Dali, another of the infamous 'Fleydon Circle'. I felt obliged to reconsider my attitude toward this icon. Was Fleydon, in fact, less an artist and more an arrogant sh*t? Once the seed had been planted I found myself watering it with the corrosive moisture of doubt and with the genius removed Fleydon did seem to have more than his share of character failings<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Composition in Yellow, Blue and Spanish ('Frankie') </span>is presently on its way to the USA where it will be flown every 4th July. Since being signed by several Wimbledon luminaries the flag has rapidly increased in value and is currently insured for double figures.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span>Yelfyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12151975456880168482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100035057198208472.post-63900559783699146562008-02-15T18:38:00.002+00:002008-12-09T15:17:01.060+00:00Composition in Words ("Victory")<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLM_GuSC6Ct_Vvw314fCEVEHrCFcBttwXy9PYEldKYYS2T1TZh4rcvy-xo8Pb7Gli0fj0S-yp3pNnSo-BZWPnStHzkFMSmc6VPS5rSUWU2z5l_mTgEfUbcsDuAkJUKD75CeEwuivaueQ/s1600-h/CIMG0639.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLM_GuSC6Ct_Vvw314fCEVEHrCFcBttwXy9PYEldKYYS2T1TZh4rcvy-xo8Pb7Gli0fj0S-yp3pNnSo-BZWPnStHzkFMSmc6VPS5rSUWU2z5l_mTgEfUbcsDuAkJUKD75CeEwuivaueQ/s320/CIMG0639.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167278991385227618" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"I'm not happy with this work and I fought hard not to have it included in this exhibition but, hey, what can you do?" </span><br /><br />Fleydon almost slouches as he draws his rounded shoulders tight around his neck, reminding me of both James Dean and my Aunt's pet tortoise <span style="font-style: italic;">Flash. </span>He continued with his explanation.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"It's not because of the content - a homage to very dear friend no longer with us - nor because of the intellectual basis of the work but really because of the execution. It suffers through my mistakes and like Frankenstein repelled by my own creation, I am both attracted and repelled in equal measure."</span><br /><br />Fleydon pointed to the work with his furled umbrella, waving it over the canvas as though still engaged in the act of painting. There is a discernible sense of disappointment about him and a large sigh wracks his frame.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"They say a picture is worth a thousand words but my dear friend Guy Debord* disagreed. He believed that words can conjour up a myriad of mental images especially when the words are chosen with care - a powerful weapon against injustice in hands such as his. Would the rioting Parisian students of the '60's have found inspiration in a Banksey? I doubt it but they did find inspiration in the words of Guy and what is so wonderful to me is that what was true of the young revoloutionaries of Paris is equally true of Terry Brown. Hard to believe? Well it might be seen as a case of convergent evoloution - a similar response to circumstances. Consider the immortal phrase ... "Victory will be for those who create disorder without loving it" - I ask you, what is that other than a succinct summary of Terry's declaration of intent that 'we will win playing football, but if necessary are prepared to 'win ugly'?<br /><br /></span><span>Fleydon fell silent again and I tried to gather my thoughts together. It seemed to me that here we have a work that consciously <span style="font-style: italic;">rejects</span> the image for the mentally stimulating power of the word; that then pays homage to a close personal friend and fellow revolutionary; that also echoes the ethos of a team aware that victory can sometimes only be achieved by a disruption of harmony in the opposition - however unaesthetic that may be to the viewer. What, I wondered, could Fleydon find so wrong?<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Execution dear boy. Firstly I bought a king-size canvas in error, which means that the work is inevitably obscured (as in the photo above) and secondly my <span style="font-weight: bold;">'Victory'</span> is far too small. It should have been the word that carried the work but instead the focus is on <span style="font-weight: bold;">'Disorder</span>' and what sort of message is that to send out? I screwed up big time on this one. Guy must be pissing himself laughing"<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Composition in Words ("Victory") </span>is currently on loan to the 'Tea Hut Wall Gallery', Kingsmeadow<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><br />*Guy Dubord - Situationalist and Marxist Revoloutionary, was a friend of Fleydon from their days together at Stowe and their membership of the Mildenhall Hunt. Dubord delivered the oration at Fleydon's marriage but their relationship became strained in the mid 80's when Dubord declared everything - including Fleydon - a product of his own imagination, a situation Fleydon naturally found intolerable.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span>Yelfyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12151975456880168482noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100035057198208472.post-82335958050286240392008-02-09T23:34:00.004+00:002008-12-09T15:17:01.201+00:00Composition in Leather and Whiskers - "Every Shot Counts"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPZfZn6Eg6dp0dSR2M0_R_BuyqEHuYJzIgLgD2mBPAqozs-u2Z_ZcXSfpypRC5Sss63CDBlI_3Xk60kTy5KgKEokMe3wrNGVMRfylzoRmXnD1ZZ3aPEkq84_rol__Sp-UYSVPrqrmIH8/s1600-h/CIMG0640.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165132654493495426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPZfZn6Eg6dp0dSR2M0_R_BuyqEHuYJzIgLgD2mBPAqozs-u2Z_ZcXSfpypRC5Sss63CDBlI_3Xk60kTy5KgKEokMe3wrNGVMRfylzoRmXnD1ZZ3aPEkq84_rol__Sp-UYSVPrqrmIH8/s400/CIMG0640.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />'Ambiguity' is a word that critics often use when attempting to fathom the works of Fleydon. For those not as clever as critics like me this is often seen as a startling statement. <em>'How can this be so? Fleydon's flags are clarion calls of clarity, as obvious and loud as a street barker selling his wares. How can this be ambiguous?'</em> At first glance this may appear the case, but consider this - the lowly street barker may indeed have a clear voice but what of the ambiguity, the double-entendre, the allusion and, especially in the visual field, the illusion? Exhortation to simpering girls to <em>'Come and see my cocoanuts!'</em> and winking asides to middle-aged women to check out his <em>'prime slab of beef'</em> are hardly literal requests!<br /><br />So it is with Fleydon. When faced with the blank command to <strong>Make Every Shot Count</strong>, a wise man will pause, take stock, step back a pace or two ... and consider their response.<br /><br /><em>Fine words butter no parsnips</em>, my saintly Nan once advised me, adding as an afterthought that I should also remember that the devil is in the detail and to always read the fine print. Wise sentiments that have stood me in good stead over the years.<br /><br />On an objective viewing my suspicions were aroused almost immediately. Where is the crest, the team strip and other obvious visual Wimbledon insignia so prevalant in Fleydon's work? And then there's the man himself, elderly with a full set of whiskers, his eyes wide open and in his hands a weapon - quite possibly a Winchester Repeating Rifle, although the detailing is a little obscure. What are we to make of him? I confess I found myself more and more perplexed the closer I looked. What was it that Fleydon was telling me here?<br /><br />Time, I felt, to go back to basics and to examine the obvious.<br /><br />We seem to have a simple message here: Shots at goal are a good thing, but only when they are decent efforts. Blazing over the bar is a waste. Careful shooting is the order of the day then. So far so good and Fleydon chooses to illustrate this dictum with a picture of a cowboy, in the hope that wayward forwards can make the link. Simple and straightforward - no room for ambiguity here. And yet, and yet... something did not add up...<br /><br />The figure has a grimy yellow neckerchief, it is true, and a sweat-stained blue shirt. But the eyes are wide with fear, the clammy hands locked on to his weapon with a rigidity of sheer terror, not with the usual relaxed insouciance of a Wimbledon player ordering his pint at the bar. He is old, bewhiskerd, befuddled - he's not even aiming his weapon and for all his hardware he looks, well, <em>impotent?</em> The signs were all wrong, I felt a sickness at the bottom of my stomach and my mind was literally spinning as we stood before the canvas. Surely that man couldn't be a Don? What on earth was going on in Fleydon's mind? What was he telling us?<br /><br />And then it hit me. Just as Colonel Kurtz was struck by his revelation in the jungles of Vietnam, then I too saw everything with a clarity and precision. It was so neat, so obvious and so right. The clue was in the motto <strong>Bushwhacked by the Womble Army</strong>. Well it was already clear that the old man wasn't a Womble and describing him as an 'army' was laughable and besides bushwhacking is a young man's sport (or certainly was in my Prep School). It was then that the crystal sliver of comprehension pierced my brain. <em>He wasn't the 'whacker, he was the 'whacked!</em><br /><em></em><br />Everything fell into place - the bewhiskered old man was symbolic of a senior yet decrepit adversary fallen on hard times, as an archetypal 'cowboy' he represented shoddy performances and lack of quality, his yellow and blue were actually the colours of Torquay United, not the Dons, and the fear in his eyes was induced by the sight of lean, hungry and young Wimbledon players laying siege to his goal. He has mentally 'circled his waggons' and has the air of one who knows his time has come. <strong>Make Every Shot Count</strong> was the instruction to our players <em>aiming to finish him off</em> not advice to a man with flaccid and damp cartridges. Again it reminded me of Kurtz, the symbolic cow ripe for slaughter and scrifice.<br /><br />Ambiguity? I'll give you ambiguity....this was masterful misdirection that really forces an intellectual gyration from the viewer. Quite brilliant!<br /><br />Fleydon, however seemed un-moved by my analysis. <p><em>"Yes, well, maybe... there might be something in it I suppose. Artistically I was happy with my work but a fat lot of good it does if the opposition refuse to take the message on board. My obvious mistake was to depict the 1879 Winchester, not an earlier model. The</em> 'Gun that Won the West'<em> looks as though it did the job for the South-West as well. And as for my close<br />friend Roscoe with his cowboy name and his 'love of the club'? Ha! Less</em> The Man with No-Name <em>and more </em>Bang, Bang, My Baby Shot Me Down<em>. I always prefered </em>Shane<em> anyway."</em></p><blockquote></blockquote>With that Fleydon turned abuptly and moved on. My exposition had been terminated. With extreme prejudice...Yelfyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12151975456880168482noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100035057198208472.post-73317440458121790592007-12-03T22:57:00.001+00:002008-12-09T15:17:01.365+00:00Composition in Three Parts ('The Mystic Triptych')<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOhy8I2CGbOfJAehXffDnV-D2eqhy7SPW91Bwlcde8pJe7jixUpLfZBEZR8XA-xb2y_AZ-XIeTXfK9fMCiNjbKdzHp7n0nHAboPOCiGNe3hcKqOjpHQ7qhBTtMdRm9MxhAWUL4cxZ3Yw/s1600-r/Flags.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmctzsFt-fzz80gCHoVkzlxlddfckfDXrZcoIWmrGWHIzfUylNbWfoJa1s638Yn_bMwR3WCxtepOhs4EHGuJTBzVNe0U9J-J2-FAC-EnasIbYhI6F0EEVK5kphlaEc1_nVetRU8oNb-gE/s320/Flags.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139897544711011506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: normal;">Some great works are recognised the moment they are seen but others often have to wait for their time to arrive. Fleydon has no doubt that Composition<span style=""> </span>in <span style="font-weight: bold;">Three Parts : The Mystic Triptych </span>will prove to be not only his <span style="font-style: italic;">magnum opus</span> but also his<span style="font-style: italic;"> chef d’oeuver</span><span style=""> </span>to boot. <o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic;">“For the time being I am content that it lay there, open to the gaze. It is not necessary that people should leap about excitedly, throwing themselves about in a frenzy and exclaiming my genius to the heavens. In this case that would be entirely the wrong reaction. What I see in the eyes of the masses is a questioning, an understanding that something is going on here far</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic;">b</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic;">eyond their ken. But they will grope their way toward enlightenment and they will find the journey worthwhile, of that I am sure. Except possibly the Brazilian gentleman who questioned both my sanity and the direction in which my art is leading me - a reaction which I fear shows a more philistine attitude than that I have come to expect from the Tempest End. But no more of that…I have a question of you. Please, would you care to tell me what you see in these pictures?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-style: normal;">Fleydon leaned back in his bath chair, rested his chin on his folded hands and fixed me with a gentle but querulous look. Caught unaware I could only make some ineffectual remarks about ‘Knights in armour’, some fairly inflammatory titles and then, in a stroke of inspiration, I recalled and remarked on his boyhood fascination with tales of Agincourt and other Mediaeval battle mentioned in our first ever interview. I was immediately rewarded by his craggy countenance softening into a smile.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic;">“Well done, you are making a start. But only a start – forget the rest</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> of your nonsense and concentrate on the mystical power of the mediaeval tale. The first flowering of the narrative. Often based on Latin, or ‘roman’ texts what you are seeing is a true ‘romance’ writ large!!”</span> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-style: normal;">Fleydon staggered to his feet and threw his arms open wide as though to embrace his work before the sudden exertion took its toll and he slumped back into his chair</span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic;">“For many acolytes AFC Wimbledon is so much more than a team - it is a ‘romance’ in the deepest sense - and what is</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> more, it is a ‘pure’ relationship, unsullied by the degradations of the physical – well, with some unfortunate exceptions anyway. And what better analogy for such feelings than that of the chivalric romance with overtones of religious fundamentalism and a dash of righteous fervour? We are all Crusaders here, you know!”</span> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-style: normal;">Fleydon laughed a joyous peal of laughter that sounded not unlike a small church announcing deliverance from the plague. He then paused to wipe a fleck of spittle from the corner of his mouth before continuing<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic;">“Being inspired by the 'Roman-ces' it was entirely appropriate that they should be painted on old Roman blinds from my front room,, a fortuitous but significant coincidence. There may be questions from some from the 'big is beautiful' school as to their size but what I hope will be apparent is that these are in fact miniature flags, designed as processional banners or <span style="font-weight: bold;">khorugvs</span> rather than for flagpoles. Until summoned for their final climactic act they will rest in the Tempest End, the club’s undeniable <span style="font-weight: bold;">iconostasis</span>. Come that fateful moment they will be taken down to be carried at the head of a victory procession that </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic;">will stretch along the road as far as the eye can see. The hushed masses of Wimbledon will finally celebrate Ascension Day, and leave the Rymans (rhymes with 'Romance'?) beneath us. “Next year, Blue Square!” as the traditional toast goes!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-style: normal;">So why three banners? Why spend so much time these, admittedly exquisite, miniatures when a single bigger banner would have sufficed.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic;">“It is a fair question at first glance, but you overlook the power of three – “Three..” as the</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> recent pop hit points out, “…is a magic number”. We can never underestimate the significance of the Trinity; Father, Son and Holy</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> Ghost; Faith Hope and Charity; Groucho, Chico and Harpo; the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe all groups of that hallowed number. And most pertinent of all given our play-off potential, THIRD TIME LUCKY! It also allows the showing of three aspects of our crusade, our ‘three-pronged attack’, our ‘three coins in the fountain’ or even, our ‘three faces of Eve’. Three, I need not also remind the purist, is when all Saturday games should commence. One I’m afraid, just wouldn’t cut the mustard.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/R1SZf6Zm_MI/AAAAAAAAAlk/MrLGVM3HfvA/s1600-R/CIMG0431+%282%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/R1SZf6Zm_MI/AAAAAAAAAlk/eI_bK2bJw2k/s320/CIMG0431+%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139901848268242114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: normal;">Concluding his introduction to the context in which the works were created, Fleydon then grasped my elbow and pointed out some of the facets unique to each of the works<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Left Panel: Scourge of the Unworthy</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic;">“Pure in radiant spirit, clean of attire and looking for something nice to do, here the Spirit of Wimbledon is looking to lead by example. The flowers are symbolic of Dorothea of Caesarea, a martyr who was forced by the authorities to make a foul choice. She chose her own route and was martyred for her steadfastness. I salute and recognise her as a spiritual Don.’</span></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Centre Panel: Smiters of the Degenerate</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gOSWv3hxT5R1R1Ski_bAaic65VFzBiLO25NTU6poyckIqHb3YF37_h7SidD2ofE8zAIHurZsqjoX6QazEvfkE1QudbcMSPdULTBrvsxQgNNVPX7Sh5vTAtfeSWzZUk4_X_zx1IvpxMg/s1600-r/CIMG0432+%282%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/R1SZt6Zm_NI/AAAAAAAAAls/N0PHurwJqf8/s320/CIMG0432+%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139902088786410706" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="font-style: italic;" class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-style: normal;">“<span style="font-style: italic;">Dismounted and attired in the away strip, the Spirit of Wimbledon ‘gets down and dirty’ with the Beast of Revelations, a false prophet from whose cavernous mouth spews forth lies, falsehoods and cant. Only the Spirit of Wimbledon can finally seal its fate. Some purport to see the crest of MK Dons concealed in the helm above the painting but that </span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic;">would be a coincidence too frightening to contemplate and surely worthy of further research.</span>”</span></p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoBodyText">Right Panel: Purgers of the Unclean</p><p style="font-style: italic;" class="MsoBodyText"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/R1SaEaZm_OI/AAAAAAAAAl0/tClagpreaHY/s1600-R/CIMG0433+%282%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ytET6i239Do/R1SaEaZm_OI/AAAAAAAAAl0/W2EY8bO0kqw/s320/CIMG0433+%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139902475333467362" border="0" /></a>"Armed and dangerous with the banner of the True Faith fluttering above his cross-eyed warhorse Elegius and accompanied by his two war dogs, Nipper and Smudge, the Spirit of Wimbledon is ready for battle. Gentle no more but ferocious in his El Cid-like awesomeness, enemies tremble at his name and the ferocity of his visage - and that's where a spot or two of 'Purging ' takes place as bowels loosen at the merest mention of his name. Actually, technically, I found 'ferocious visages' a bit tricky so I decided to paint him in a helmet instead. Not quite as scary, but I think I pulled it off."</p><p class="MsoBodyText">Fleydon then addressed me for a final time</p><p class="MsoBodyText">'<span style="font-style: italic;">What I have discussed with you with regard to these paintings is all true and yet...and yet...and yet...it is only part of the truth. There is so much more to them than just that, but I'm not going to do all the work for you. Can I suggest though that you think of the links with Great Feast where the clans were drawn in under the protective walls of the Great Hall, decorated with its tales of gods and heroes. or instead think of the great Tourneys held in the King's Tilt Yard - have you never considered the thread that connects the thrill and spectacle of the joust to the colour-filled flutterings of a Woking cup final crowd? Or then the obvious links to Illuminated Manuscripts and the scholarly and monastic traditions they evoke. And what of Monty Python movies and the "Knights that go Ni!", peasants in the mud and 'brave Sir Robin'? All these resonate deeply do they not, throwing up a mass of links and suggestions, thoughts and associations? The depth of this work, the layers of meaning and of interpretation that are possible...well it astounds even me. That is why I am content that, with time, these works will take their place as the brightest stars in my artistic firmament. Meanwhile, until that day, I am more than happy to continue to wear my Scourge of the Unworthy t-shirt underneath my Don's top. After all, a little bit of hair-shirt suffering is good for the soul, however pure it might be.'</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;"><br />Composition<span style=""> </span>in Three Parts : The Mystic Triptych</span><span style="font-style: normal;"> are currently housed in lead lined caskets underneath the Tempest End, They are ceremonially draped over a number of virgins before being hoisted five minute before kick off as part an 'Incense and Chanting ' ceremony.</span><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" ><br /></span></span></p><span style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></span>Yelfyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12151975456880168482noreply@blogger.com1