Monthly Archives: January 2011

Jar No. 31

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Jar No 31
Kirsty Hall: Jar No 31, Crocheted silver wire, Jan 2011

Jar No 31 - in situ
Kirsty Hall: Jar No 31, In Situ, Jan 2011

Contents: Crocheted fine silver wire
Released into wild: 31/1/11 at 15.58
General Location: Clifton, Bristol
Status: Found by Sasha on 8/2/11
This jar was replaced in the same spot by Sasha, where it was found a second time by Theo & his dad on 1/6/11

Comments:

Amazingly, I’m still finding new places – today I found two tiny streets that I’d never noticed before, including this fantastic back street. Isn’t this a gorgeous jar spot – I love all the decay, flaking paint and rust:

Jar No 31 - rusty nail
Kirsty Hall: Jar No 31, In Situ, Jan 2011

There should have been a video with this jar but my batteries upped and died on me, so you’ll have to take it on faith that this jar bounces in a very pleasing manner. I always said ‘boingy boingy boingy’ when I was playing with this jar, which was quite often because this was The Emergency Jar.

Jar No 31 - distortion
Kirsty Hall: Jar No 31, Distortion, Jan 2011

Yes, on the last day of the first month, I wossed out and deployed The Emergency Jar. I was tired, dizzy and none of the art ideas I tried worked to my satisfaction. Plus I had to do some family stuff that couldn’t wait around for me to do art things – the project is hugely important but it also has to fit into my life.

Fortunately I’ve got several other jars that are close to completion, so there will be a new Emergency Jar in the next few days. Until then we’re jarring without a safety net!


3 jars recorded

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Jar No. 5

Jar No 5 close up
Kirsty Hall: Jar No. 5, handwritten text on paper yarn, Jan 2011

Number on lid of jar*: 5

I’ve seen or collected a jar*: Collected a jar

Your name (optional): Rob

Date jar found (optional): December

If you collected a jar, what motivated you to pick it up? (optional): Intrigue

Where is the jar now? (optional): Closer than you think…..

Bit of a mystifying jar report this one – it can’t have been found in December since Jar No. 5 wasn’t released until January and what does ‘closer than you think’ mean? You’ve got me wondering, Rob.

Jar No. 26

Guess who found Jar No. 26…

Jar No 26 - close up 01
Kirsty Hall: Jar No 26, Ink drawing and wild clematis seeds, Jan 2011

Number on lid of jar*: 26

I’ve seen or collected a jar*: Collected a jar

Your name (optional): Mark Higson

Date jar found (optional): 27/01/2011 12:10

If you collected a jar, what motivated you to pick it up? (optional): Because I think seven is a nicer number than six. I find some jars because I instantly know, from the photographs, where they are. Others, I stumble into on aimless, exploratory walks, not having any particular goal in mind. The ones somewhere between are my favourites, and #26 was a perfect exemplar. Knowing it was somewhere in the centre, and seeing the trees and the walls and the shop fronts in the background, I knew it must have been in Castle Park. But finding it involved tracing the park’s complicated patterns of walls, climbing and clambering to see each side of each one, cross-referencing against my visual memory of the scene, and I had so much fun just searching that I was almost deflated to find it after only a minute or two. Thank goodness it’s so beautiful, in its own simple, understated way.

Where is the jar now? (optional): Added to the jarchive!

I’m laughing out loud at the thought of Mark’s office having 7 jars in it – you’ll be running out of desk space soon, Mark!

Jar No. 27

Our space age Jar No 27, has been found.

Jar No 27 - close up 02
Kirsty Hall: Jar No. 27, Plastic dome stickers + silver film, Jan 2011

Number on lid of jar*: 27

I’ve seen or collected a jar*: Collected a jar

Your name (optional): Nick

Date jar found (optional): 31st Jan 2011

If you collected a jar, what motivated you to pick it up? (optional): I’d have left it for someone else to find but I live on the street where it was placed, so in a sense it’ll remain ‘in situ’ but now amongst my eclectic objet d’Art inside my nearby house.

Where is the jar now? (optional): As above – with it brother and sister jars on my kitchen shelves.

Nick also commented:

I found jar 27 today but… I’m not the photographer. He must have been satisfied with taking a photo rather than the jar itself. I live but doors down from where #27 spent a few cold nights so I’m just keeping it until the weather warms up enough for a re-release.

Nick, I hope you’ll let me know when and where you release it and I hope you enjoy having it on your kitchen shelves in the meantime.

Thanks to Rob, Mark and Nick for recording their finds.


Jar No. 30

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Jar No 30
Kirsty Hall: Jar No 30, Wire + black micro beads, Jan 2011

Jar No 30 - in situ
Kirsty Hall: Jar No 30, Wire + black micro beads, Jan 2011

Contents: Wire + black micro beads
Released into wild: 30/1/11 at 15.17
General Location: Stokes Croft, Bristol
Status: In situ

Comments:
I overdid it today: two consecutive days of big walks resulted in me crashing out for 3 hours this evening.

I’m OK but it’s an important reminder that this is a major project that uses a huge amount of time and energy, so I need to pace myself.


Jar No. 29

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Jar No 29 - in situ 01
Kirsty Hall: Jar No 29, Pins & silk ribbon, Jan 2011

Jar No 29 - in situ 02
Kirsty Hall: Jar No 29, Pins & silk ribbon, Jan 2011

Contents: Pins + silk ribbon
Released into wild: 29/1/11 at 16.28
General Location: Hotwells, Bristol
Status: FOUND

Comments:

It amuses me to make mini versions of my larger sculptures.

Here’s the full sized version of Quiver:

Quiver at PYF 01
Kirsty Hall: ‘Quiver’ installed at Prick Your Finger in London, Jan 2009

And here’s the jar version:

Jar No 29 - close up
Kirsty Hall: Jar No 29, Pins & silk ribbon, Jan 2011

I’ve always enjoyed the contrast between the front of the pins and the back. I used silk ribbon for this jar and it ladders a lot more than the voile I used for Quiver. I was quite taken with this, so there may be ‘a laddering jar’ at some point.

Jar No 29 - back
Kirsty Hall: Jar No 29, back of the pins, Jan 2011

Carolyn Saxby told me over on Flickr that she loves the way the glass jars distort the images, so I’ve added this picture just for her. It looks like it’s under water, doesn’t it.

Jar No 29 - crazy distortion
Kirsty Hall: Jar No 29, Crazy distortion, Jan 2011

I also made a tiny video to show you how it moves and sounds – you’ll probably need to turn the sound up on your computer to hear it properly.


Jar No. 28

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Jar No 28 - close up 01
Kirsty Hall: Jar No 28, torn envelope drawing, Jan 2011

Jar No 28
Kirsty Hall: Jar No 28, torn envelope drawing, Jan 2011

Jar No 28 - in situ
Kirsty Hall: Jar No 28, torn envelope drawing, Jan 2011

Contents: torn envelope drawing
Released into wild: 28/1/11 at 16.28
General Location: Clifton, Bristol
Status: Found on 12/2/11 by Muppet

Comments:
I was a little nervous about releasing this jar. I was second-guessing myself. Would people think the drawing was too simple? What about the fact that it was on low-grade, envelope paper?

Then I read the message on the back of the drawing:

Jar 28 - back
Kirsty Hall: Jar No 28, No Compromise, Jan 2011

No compromise!

Wow, what an apt message. I realised that I have no control over who sees the jar. It will either be found by someone who loves it or it won’t but that is true for every single one of the jars.

I can only go with my own art instincts and I knew this was a jar that I loved. So I decided to ignore my Other-People-Won’t-Get-It Monster and released it into the wild.


Jars missing and found

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We travel on well-worn paths. We do not deviate. We go from A to B and back again.

365 Jars is making me realise how much of my local area I hadn’t explored, despite having lived here for 13 years. In the last month I have explored the majority of the streets in the immediate area and now I am ranging further afield.

And I am not alone. I heard from our Intrepid Jar Hunter, Mark last night. He has overcome his recent bad luck by finding Jar No. 25, which was the one with the hidden message in it and he has some insightful thoughts about exploring and observing.

Jar No 25 - close up
Kirsty Hall: Jar No 25, Sewn scratched photograph, Jan 2011

Number on lid of jar*: 25

I’ve seen or collected a jar*: Collected a jar

Your name (optional): Mark Higson

Date jar found (optional): 25/01/2011

If you collected a jar, what motivated you to pick it up? (optional): The crushing pain of a four-jar losing streak. I’m glad I found this particular one – most of the other jars can be appreciated to a lesser or greater extent just from the photographs, but the secret message hidden in #25 piqued my curiosity. It’s doubly satisfying in that it’s the first jar I’ve found having recognised the location from previous explorations. One of my favourite parts of hunting the jars is how it’s motivating me to expand my world, to explore the streets and woodland paths I’d always ignored and to discover the beautiful details that have been hiding ten minutes from my doorstep.

Where is the jar now? (optional): Bolstering my once-more-burgeoning collection!

I had never walked down that footpath before I placed the jar. How delightful that the project is giving both Mark and I this deeper knowledge of our environment.

Jar No. 26 is missing

Jar No 26 - in situ
Kirsty Hall: Jar No 26, Ink drawing and wild clematis seeds, Jan 2011

My friend Nada was walking past this spot yesterday at 2pm and she spotted that Jar No. 26 has gone already – that one didn’t last long, less than 24 hours! It’s not been reported yet but hopefully it was found by someone who appreciates it. If you found Jar No 26, please record your find here.

Jar No. 5 possibly gone

Jar No 5 close up
Kirsty Hall: Jar No. 5, handwritten text on paper yarn, Jan 2011

Since I was in the area, I went searching for Jar No. 5 yesterday. The jar was originally located in Clifton – in fact, it was the first jar to be registered as found – but it was re-released in Stokes Croft by its finder, Kieran.

I couldn’t find it, so either Kieran hid it very well or it’s been found again. It was fun to go on a jar hunt of my own – now I can relate to Mark’s frustration at not being able to find a jar when I know where it should be!

If you’ve found Jar No. 5, please record your find here.

Other News
Elizabeth Drouillard who is a regular reader and commenter has kindly featured the project on her blog, along with another beautiful 365 project from Adaiha, who is crocheting a granny square every day.

Just a reminder, if you’d like to interview me, please get in touch. And if you want to mention the project on your blog, just help yourself to photos from the 365 Jars Flickr group – there’s no need to ask permission, although do let me know when your post goes live and I’ll mention you in an update.


Jar No. 27

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Jar No 27 - close up 01
Kirsty Hall: Jar No. 27, Plastic dome stickers + silver film, Jan 2011

Jar No 27 - in situ
Kirsty Hall: Jar No. 27, Plastic dome stickers + silver film, Jan 2011

Contents: Plastic dome stickers + silver film
Released into wild: 27/1/11 at 16.33
General Location: Stokes Croft/St Paul’s, Bristol
Status: Found by Nick on 31/1/11. Re-released later in the year and found a second time by Sara Bird on 17/12/2011

Comments:
I made this jar to explore the distorting, reflective qualities of the glass. I stuck plastic dome stickers to the inside of the jar and after much experimenting, placed a cylinder of reflective silver film in the middle. My honey thinks this jar has a bit of a TARDIS feel to it and I know what he means.

I love the way the domes are reflected in the silver film:
Jar No 27 - close up 02
Kirsty Hall: Jar No. 27, Plastic dome stickers + silver film, Jan 2011

Naturally, being reflective, this jar changes with its environment:
Jar No 27 - close up dark
Kirsty Hall: Jar No. 27, Plastic dome stickers + silver film, Jan 2011

My legs want you to know…

…that this was the longest jar walk to date.

I’d had two very short walks in the previous two days and I think my body was desperate to walk because once I started, I just couldn’t stop. I walked for about an hour and a half: I was getting tired and the light was starting to go when I finally spotted this perfect window ledge on this glorious abandoned building.

But look what was there instead of art!

Swapsies
Kirsty Hall: Crushed can, Jan 2011

So I played swapsies:

Jar No 27
Kirsty Hall: Jar No. 27, Plastic dome stickers + silver film, Jan 2011

The art looks better, don’t you think?

This is the first time I’ve cleared rubbish while jar walking but it’s something that I’ve been thinking about doing more off. I see a lot of litter on my jar walks and I love the idea of exchanging litter for art, so I’m going to start carry a plastic bag and gloves.

Another exciting thing happened on this jar walk.

After I’d walked away from the jar, I met another photographer who was about to walk down the road where the jar was located and I saw him spot the jar! He didn’t take it but he stopped and took photographs. I wonder if he’ll register his find?

I’ve never seen someone find one of the jars before and I was almost giggling aloud with glee.


A far flung jar

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Ooh, it looks like Jar No. 19 is our furthest travelled jar so far – it’s gone all the way to Brighton!

Jar No 19
Kirsty Hall: Jar No 19, Scratched drawing on photograph, Jan 2011

Number on lid of jar*: 19

I’ve seen or collected a jar*: Collected a jar

Your name (optional): holly

Date jar found (optional): 21-1-2011

If you collected a jar, what motivated you to pick it up? (optional): cos it said “you can take me” and looked kool

Where is the jar now? (optional): in brighton where i live, found it in bristol

Thanks for letting us know the whereabouts of Jar No. 19, Holly and I hope you enjoy it.


Jar No. 26

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Jar No 26 - close up 02
Kirsty Hall: Jar No 26, Ink drawing and wild clematis seeds, Jan 2011

Jar No 26
Kirsty Hall: Jar No 26, Ink drawing and wild clematis seeds, Jan 2011

Jar No 26 - in situ
Kirsty Hall: Jar No 26, Ink drawing and wild clematis seeds, Jan 2011

Contents: Ink drawing and wild clematis seeds
Released into wild: 26/1/11 at 15.30
General Location: City Centre, Bristol (BS1)
Status: Found

Comments:
Most people walk straight past my jars. They are wrapped up in their thoughts or lost in music or conversation. They do not see that tiny deviation from their norm.

Lefthand side of the drawing:
Jar No 26 - close up 01
Kirsty Hall: Jar No 26, Ink drawing and wild clematis seeds, Jan 2011

Righthand side of the drawing:

Jar No 26 - close up 03
Kirsty Hall: Jar No 26, Ink drawing and wild clematis seeds, Jan 2011


Jar updates & an interview

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If you’d like to know more about the motivations behind my art and this project, I did an interview with the lovely people over at Art Is Moving.

I’ve had a couple of jar forms submitted in the last few days: thanks for recording your finds, Naomi and Simon, I do appreciate it.

Jar No. 2 has been spotted but not collected, so it’s still out there.

Kirsty Hall, 365 Jars Project Jar no 2 close up
Kirsty Hall: Jar No. 2, sewn paper, Jan 2011

Number on lid of jar*: 2

I’ve seen or collected a jar*: Spotted a jar

Your name (optional): Simon

Date jar found (optional): 23/01/11

Where is the jar now? (optional): in situe

Jar No. 21 has also been reported:

Jar No 21 - close up
Kirsty Hall: Jar No. 21, Black ink drawing, Jan 2011

Number on lid of jar*: 21

I’ve seen or collected a jar*: Collected a jar

Your name (optional): Naomi Rawlings

Date jar found (optional): 24/1/11

If you collected a jar, what motivated you to pick it up? (optional): curiosity

Where is the jar now? (optional): back in the wild!

It sounds like Naomi may have moved the jar from its original spot, so it’s really roaming free now! I do love it when people get into the spirit of the project like this.


I also checked on two jars yesterday.

Jar No. 3 is still in place and although it was wet on the outside, the drawing inside was thankfully dry although oddly, upside down. I replaced it the right way up and gave the jar a quick clean.

Jar No 3 close up
Kirsty Hall: Jar No. 3, Red & black ink drawing, Jan 2011

But Jar No. 4 has gone completely.

Jar No 4 close-up
Kirsty Hall: Jar No. 4, Black crochet, Jan 2011

If you’ve found Jar No. 4, you can report your find here.