BRETT CAMPBELL

Exclusive: “I’m abandoning Art for Ice,” says Arctic entrepreneur

2010-01-26T05:00:00.000-08:00

Campbell has announced her plans to abandon an apparently lucrative career as an artist in a selfless bid to bring “hydro-fabulousness” and environmental ethics to the cocktail bars of Europe. Campbell’s coup de foudre came during a trip to the Arctic to observe the impact of climate change.

“After seeing the glistening icebergs”, Campbell says, “I realised there was only one way to prevent rising sea levels, and that’s if the whole world clubs together to use up all this naughty ice before it melts into the world’s oceans.”

Campbell was drinking tea by a halibut hole with a friendly fisherman when inspiration struck. The Inuit traditionally make tea by chipping small chunks of ice from the glacier to melt in their tin kettles over a fire. “At that moment,” Campbell says, “all I really wanted was a Whisky Mac, and it struck me that the pure glacial ice would top my cocktail off nicely.”

Campbell’s scheme will use ice from the giant glacier Sermeq Kujalleq in Ilulissat, the fastest calving glacier in the world. The area was recently designated a UNESCO heritage site in order to prevent the vulnerable environment from further destruction.

After rigorous tests on selected samples, to dismiss any suspicion that glacial ice has been polluted by industrial waste dumped in Arctic waters, the enormous blocks of ice will be flown to Europe’s capital cities in temperature-controlled conditions, to be broken down into cubes for discerning drinkers. The venture is tipped to bring work to hundreds of Inuit who are currently facing destitution as their traditional means of sustenance through fishing becomes impossible in the changing landscape.

Nancy Campbell has applied to the Enterprise Council for funding for 'Project Arctic Just-Ice' and welcomes enquiries from potential investors.

ALL THAT IS NOT US screens in Hackney

2009-11-18T06:47:00.000-08:00

Remembrance Sunday, 2009.
First screening: ALL THAT IS NOT US. Shot on a cold green-grey day in January, cold sea lashing Brighton beach, storm clouds gathering, ALL THAT IS NOT US is a short film that documents a writer's relationship with her novel from love to destruction.

Brett Campbell took the train from London to Brighton with a bag containing all the drafts of Brett's novel, all the accompanying paperwork, a small camera, and an even smaller box of matches. They bought a litre of premium paraffin from a hardware shop on the Lanes and headed to the beach.

Brett wanted to burn the novel, and everything to do with it, as she had loved it but her heart was no longer in it. "Stuffing it away in some drawer would have suffocated it," said Brett. "It was important to set it free. Love is open-handed."

So at 11am on 10 January 2009, sitting on a bank of wet stones overlooking the turbulent sea, Brett unwrapped the ginger cake from its foil, and Campbell poured tea from the Thermos.

A storm was brewing, the sky was yellow, and it looked as if would rain any second. They had discussed the burning many times. It had to be special.

It wasn't just paper that was being burned, it was five and a half years' work: hundreds of hours spent writing out of blind faith, put before social life and relationships and money; phone calls, reading, conversations, a trip to Croatia, all in the name of research, printing in the early hours, waking at 4.30am to write before work, editing on the bus, on trains, in cafes, weekends crossed out in the diary, saying "novel"; life put on hold -- for what?

They had conceived the burning as performances involving metres of rope and local tramps, Baroque head dresses, candles and intricate mermaid-coming-out-of-the-sea dances. But in the end they had decided seaweed would be the only frills, if the sea deemed them worthy. It wasn't about pomp. It was a burning, and that was it. Just the two of them and the flames and the sea. And now it looked as if it may be rained off.

"I think we just do it," said Brett. "Out of the way of people, before it rains. We'll just burn it."

"Where are you going to take your clothes off?" asked Campbell.

"Dunno," said Brett. "By the water, probably." And she picked up the paraffin and the bag and walked off.

"See you there," Campbell shouted but her words were lost to the wind. Campbell felt uneasy. She packed up the Thermos, put the tin foil it in her pocket, felt something cold, pulled out the camera and looked up. Brett was tiny against the wild sea, and it was at that moment that Campbell decided to document the procedings.

What people said:

“I wanted to say how much I enjoyed the film and how thought-provoking it was. It made me think about impermanence, endings, dead ends but also about something deeper inside us, that goes beyond all that. I was so moved.”

“The sounds and images of the ocean and the fire and the burning of something very precious – powerful symbols. Although out of it came this beautiful art I can't help feeling a sense of loss for the work that you put your heart into, and an intense sense of wonder about why you burned it. I want to see it again, because there was so much to digest.”

ALL THAT IS NOT US

2009-10-15T14:10:00.000-07:00

Shadow Drawing Workshop

2009-08-06T11:38:00.000-07:00

Brett Campbell brought a touch of the eighteenth century to a modern art gallery at the Louise Blouin Institute in West London last weekend in a children's workshop on shadow drawing.

"Magical," said one parent. "A real buzz."

Exploring the use of light, dark and reflection in the works exhibited in the current show 'Design High', curated by Natalie Kovacs, the children created a world of shadows using paper cut-outs, dextrous finger twisting and drawing.

"Very inspiring and empowering," said another parent. "I loved the fact the children created in a space where real art works were on display."

The workshop culminated in a race between the children and their shadows, based on Aesop's The Hare and the Tortoise, and a triumphant march around the gallery.

Future workshops at the Institute led by Brett Campbell will include making palm leaf books and pop-up collages.

For more information or to take part, contact studio@brettcampbell.co.uk

Germinal in Germination

2009-06-18T02:41:00.000-07:00

The cardboard box awaits its disguise prior to an overseas mission

No bridal dress was sewn with stitches as fine as these. Over the seas and through the skies on silken threads and linen wings...

Look! A package has come all the way from Mysore for Campbell. Who can it be from?

At last... bunting and rope tricks. Essential equipment for 'Germinal' ...

"The Hair Collection"

2009-06-17T23:42:00.000-07:00

Norwegian artist
Kurt Johannessen
has published
the first
photographs
taken of hair
donated by
international artists
including
Brett Campbell.
Beautiful!

Brett Campbell hairs to represent Britain

2009-05-22T09:04:00.000-07:00

Hair Brett and Hair Campbell have posted two hairs from their very own barnets to Norway. The hairs will take part in Norwegian artist Kurt Johannessen's "The Hair Collection".

Johannessen is collecting single hairs to appear in exhibitions, performances and books.

"It is important that those who give do so in their own free will," says Johannessen. "I also want them to personally pull out the hair they wish to give me."

Sobriety essential
"We put our hairs through a rigorous selection process," says Campbell. "We insisted on sobriety, love of the cold and sociability. They will be joining hundreds of other hairs in Kurt's project and it's essential they give Britain a good name."

Brett and Campbell have a long standing relationship with hair. Each own over 900 that live at the respective north poles of the artists. [and some at the south too - campbell]

No drunks hairs here
"Our hairs are tough," says Brett. "They've withstood major changes in climate over the past year, not to mention attempted poisoning. We have every confidence they'll deliver the goods for Kurt's project but sobriety was essential.

"It's a long journey to Norway. [Over a week in a small brown envelope.] Drunken brawls in a confined space could have resulted in the hairs escaping en-route. Also, drunken hairs tend to tie others in knots. We hope our hairs will enhance rather than tangle Kurt's project."

Need more hair? See Angel Cuts by Brett Campbell
and "The Hair Collection" by Kurt Johannessen.

After Light Private View

2009-05-02T06:58:00.001-07:00

Campbell launched her new book, AFTER LIGHT, a collaboration with the photographer Paula Naughton at the bookartbookshop, London.

Fashion photographer: Brett
Books: Model's own

A Thought for the G20 Leaders

2009-04-03T02:10:00.000-07:00

Over to you, Wendell Berry...

A Vision

If we will have the wisdom to survive,
to stand like slow-growing trees
on a ruined place, renewing, enriching it,
if we will make our seasons welcome here,
asking not too much of earth or heaven,
then a long time after we are dead
the lives our lives prepare will live
here, their houses strongly placed
upon the valley sides, fields and gardens
rich in the windows. The river will run
clear, as we will never know it,
and over it, birdsong like a canopy.
On the levels of the hills will be
green meadows, stock bells in noon shade.
On the steps where greed and ignorance cut down
the old forest, an old forest will stand,
its rich leaf-fall drifting on its roots.
The veins of forgotten springs will have opened.
Families will be singing in the fields.
In their voices they will hear a music
risen out of the ground. They will take
nothing from the ground they will not return,
whatever the grief at parting. Memory,
native to this valley, will spread over it
like a grove, and memory will grow
into legend, legend into song, song
into sacrament. The abundance of this place,
the songs of its people and its birds,
will be health and wisdom and indwelling
light. This is no paradisal dream.
Its hardship is its possibility.

Saatchi Appearance

2009-04-01T04:17:00.000-07:00

You can now see Brett Campbell's recent work (including Campbell Gets Busted previews, above) and read news of upcoming exhibitions at Saatchi Gallery Online

BrettCampbell.co.uk is in the offing

2009-03-27T01:45:00.000-07:00

BON COURAGE, OBAMA!

2009-01-20T09:13:00.000-08:00

The sea people

2009-01-17T15:07:00.000-08:00

At dawn the sun god whispered through the key holes of the sea people's huts. "Carpe Diem! Never has there been a day such as this! What are you living for?"

"Well, it's not as if I've got a choice, is it?" grumbled one of them.

"Oh, you're missing the point," said another giving the grumbly one some sea cake, which the sea people breakfasted on every morning.

And without further ado, clutching their sea cake and cups of tea, the sea people rose in robes the colours of their huts. Crunching over the stones. Muttering about how they were sure this felt familiar. Perhaps they had dreamt it the night before. They made their way down to the water.

"Don't be afraid," whispered the sun god, blazing a little brighter.
Shimmying a little higher in the sky. "Come on!"

So the sea people set off over the water. At first treading carefully, so as not to put their feet through the skin of the sea. Or get thrown off balance by the swell.

And before long they were heading straight towards the sun.

"Go West," instructed the sun god. "I'll collect you after I've done my round."

So the sea people stuck their noses in the air and headed West. Through geezars of silver flying fish, mountains of hump back whales, and poems of albatrosses carried on the breeze, they walked for years, until sunset.

Then the sun god cast a golden ladder over the ocean and the sea people climbed up it, and onto the back of their beloved. And then night fell and they were never seen again. At least, not as sea people.

Still Life with Wool Glove

2009-01-17T04:52:00.000-08:00

365 - The last exhibition of 2008

2009-01-01T11:36:00.001-08:00

I decided we were going to have an exhibition of important things. — Campbell

365 - The exhibits

2009-01-01T11:04:00.000-08:00

The butterfly and the slipper

2008-12-20T10:43:00.000-08:00

I can see hills in your wings,

and water in the hills and sky.

And you, can you see me, although I'm as reflective as the earth?

I feel your eyes, your precious looks, as I feel the rain. Please show me how you fly, butterfly.

Angel Cuts

2008-12-11T12:27:00.000-08:00

Being very clear

2008-12-05T18:14:00.000-08:00

Q: What do you have to say about "yellowing" and what is it?

Brett: "Yellowing" is a current project, going on at the same time as "Tracey".

Q: They may be two projects but they're not quite clear to those that don't know what they're about, are they?

Brett: Well, they're extremly clear to me. Yellowing is my current book - I'm making a book, with typed words, hand-written words, drawings, collage, painting... It's very personal, very straight-talking. And there are funny bits. And Tracey is an ongoing project avec Campbell, which will burst eardrums.

Q: And what's the relevance of the photo? And what is the Tracey project?

Brett: Tracey's a secret. The photo is about concentration - as in focus and quality. It's the kitchen of a place I lived in the high Himalayas. I was focused on writing with the fire crackling and heavy rain pouring outside. It's an elemental place. Basic's my favourite way of being. It seems to bear rich fruit.

Q: What's this comment you made about not wanting anyone to ask you "why" or "what" questions? Rather limiting, wouldn't you say?

Brett: I'm fed up with people asking why and what? If you're asking that stuff, shut-up! Shut-up and listen from all of you that is not ears. Can't you hear through your skin? It's meant to be your biggest sense organ. Cut the words and listen. Silence has more to tell than a million words.

Q: How are you feeling about words?

Brett: I'm not that interested in just words at the moment. They're too one dimensional. If a stone rolls back to enter a cave, I'm more into the sensation than the description of it in words. That said, they're pretty good for getting the point across. But there are swarms of words in the world and most of them are pointless. Words with visuals, a voiceover on a film -- that's currently a more juicy area than straight text.

Q: What is the point of Brett Campbell?

Brett: Ask Campbell.

Q: And what is the point of Brett Campbell?

Brett: To answer all that is asked about and all that is not. And to show how life really is.

When we find a way - Rabia

2008-12-05T17:34:00.000-08:00

Look at the weight of the light on the clouds and then read this - a poem by Rabia, born in Iraq, between 90 and 95.

I could not move against this wind if
I did not pray.

And all that is said of me that is untrue
would make lame my gait if I could not free myself from
the weight of others malice.

I could not move against all this light if I did not pray.

So how things become,
what a change
can happen when we find a way.
to keep Him close.

Spring winter - a missive from Heaven

2008-12-05T16:54:00.000-08:00

Campbell,

Heaven is beautiful. I'm enjoying it very much. But there is not frost, or sunshine - because all that is just is. So it's kind of like custard, with everything that you've ever loved in it. Which is all very nice, but sometimes I do crave that sweet smell of a daises in springtime, you know?

What I really crave from earth is the sight of trees. You know how much I love their branches, especially the way, when you get really close to them, they WHISPER EVERYTHING they've got to say to you, in that way that makes your head just rest against their trunks, because to be any other way with them would be dishonourable?

Shhh.... say their leaves. The breeze is their translator. Ok, I've always said. I have nothing to say. My words are just noise. And then they start to speak. When you understand that, and they speak into your belly and legs and arms like a million tiny spiders putting down anchors inside your limbs and it's the most precious feeling on earth. Except it's more precious than that.

All the sea has flooded you and you cannot distinguish salt from skin from gulls' cries and sweet country guitar strings. "Play my feet," I whisper to the trees. And they laugh and they laugh and they laugh and say:

Don't be so daft.

***

For when I was dying, and for those who are thinking about it

When all the world scuttles, when your feet are limp and your heart beats through your head, and your head is full and limp at the same time, and you think you are going to die, remember my hand, as soft as sunlight on leaves, hushing your pulse, saying just go up to where it's open and there's no need to die now. There's no need to die now.

We choose when we die.

Sometimes. It depends on the circumstances. But both times I thought I was going to die, I didn't because there was a very little strong flame that kept burning the dark. And it smoked and it smoked and it smoked, as if I were underground in a black chamber where only the smoke was light; like - now I can see - your laughter when it's all dark.

I did think I was dying, because I was. And you held my feet, and kept me from shooting off. Because there are people here I love, and I'm not ready to die. Not yet. I mean, I know I'll never "die". That doesn't exist. But for peope here; if I'm not in my body, I'm not here.

What happens before you roll down hill

2008-11-19T14:50:00.000-08:00

International Lighthouse Weekend

2008-11-17T11:48:00.001-08:00

When the lighthouses gather together, will the ships be lost?

Stairway to Heaven

2008-11-17T09:56:00.000-08:00

Brett has ascended. She is no longer of this earth. Luckily a local lampost witnessed the ascention, recording the dialogue on a secret tape recorder. The lampost stood very still throughout but promptly alerted Campbell after the last of Brett's beautiful foot disappeared into the clouds.

Brett: "Thank you, Lord, for showing me the way. I want to come and love your sky. Please show me how to get on the ladder. Amen."

God: "That's all right, angel. When you coming round?"

Brett: "Right now, if you'd just give me a hand-up. Why do you put your ladders in such awkward places?"

God: "I like to watch you look helpless."

Brett: "Watch it."

God: "Angel, before you can come to Heaven you have to know who's master."

Brett: "I surrender. You are my master."

Sky blue castinettes

2008-11-17T09:50:00.000-08:00

"Beep, beep!"

The Hopeless Creatures

2008-11-12T12:40:00.000-08:00

When something really important happens, it's an emergency and it's hard to get a good film because people are running all over the place and being shot at and you're caught in the mob. Anyway, we journalists do our best.

The terror, the terror! See how he falls!

Campbell: How much do you love Tracey?

2008-11-12T12:33:00.000-08:00

Brett: Much as I like sardines