The Library of Secrets, 2007

The Answer Lies at the End of the Line, 2008

How to Dig a Hole and Climb a Mountain, 2009

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How to Dig a Hole and Climb a Mountain

I have been thinking about digging a hole in a public space for the last few months this hole would be as deep as me (5ft 6inches) and wide enough to accommodate me digging it (about 4ft in diameter) I was initially going to dig the hole with the intention of burying something, but after much research and consideration I realised that this was not my reason for digging.

I started to talk to people about digging the hole, which suddenly made it real. As I considered the logistics of digging I realised that, what at first appeared to be the most simple of acts was much more complicated.

In December 2008 I decided I needed to dig an experiment; Hole 1 was dug successfully in a garden in East Sussex. The act of digging evokes many themes, the endurance of physical labour, overlooked histories of female explorers, recurring motifs of moving up and down and notions of public speaking. Whilst at the same time being inspired by a cannon of performance related digging from Keith Arnatt’s, Self Burial to Ian Breakwell’s, One. There is something appealing about toiling the earth with the intention of planting oneself inside it. Of course at the moment of digging a hole you are simultaneously creating a mountain of earth beside you which for me begins to reference the concept of “mans” consistent pursuit to explore and conquer nature. I haven’t yet succeeded in gaining permission to dig my hole in a public place but if you know of a space or a way of achieving this goal please get in touch