I have appeared in the lovely Reflections magazine as ‘artist of the month’ for December. Reflections is a well established lifestyle publication covering Derbyshire and the Peak District.
Artist of the month!
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Author Archives: Doug Nicholson
Bird sculpture commissions
I new inspiration has occurred for me. Metal bird sculpture has become my speciality and is attracting commissions. It has been exciting to develop unusual techniques in metal smithing to create these bird characters, which seem to come alive as they near completion.
Hero’s Engine Works is going live!
Following a year of developing the workshop into a fully equipped making space and completing several commissions, I now feel ready to offer my design and making services to the world.
I hope to be adding links to the usual social media sites and updating with work, news and images as they are generated on a regular basis. Do check out the work here and if you would like to know more on items for sale and commission opportunities please contact Doug Nicholson at doug@externalcombustion.com or mobile 07966 179040
The Helios project
A sonification installation of visceral beauty, power and rhythm.
This is an idea I have wanted to do for some time and was realised as an ‘Enchanted Parks’, Gateshead commission at the end of 2014 with great response.
This monumental piece of laboratory equipment represents a curved slice of the sun animated with flame. Adapted for modern technology, Helios can be controlled directly by data supplied by NASA or from drum and midi programs to produce constantly evolving beat patterns and loops. Coronal mass ejections thump and screech as filigrees of flame roll and pulse across a twenty metre arc of steel apparatus.
Helios consist of over 50 individual propane gas flame heads of varying sizes and effect, is capable of running constantly for hours and is our imposing and exciting new work for 2015.
Now for a bit of geek stuff:
I have designed a sub program in MAX to run along side Ableton Live to decode data from NASA or any other audio or analogue input to create MIDI notes, which then control the rig. I can now play this flaming monster like a delicate instrument and open up the controls to the audience through Wii, XBOX 360 and iPAD.
Photo: Richard Kenworthy Enchanted Parks 2014 – co-commissioned by NewcastleGateshead Initiative and Gateshead Council and produced by Pinwheel.
New characters for the Prometheus installation
Following a small hiatus with the tweaking and finessing planned for Prometheus’ Garden, I am now designing new machine follies to add to the installation. Much thought has been devoted to the future manifestation of this project, how it mutates from the original performance showcase with its traditional narrative line, how the idea of an abstracted and textural approach will work with an audience and where to have the project seen
It is clear to me that, for the performance to work with an abstracted narrative and to avoid esoteric form, the project requires venues that will contextualise and augment the industrial dream garden. Parks and fields will not do, this show will need the factory court yard, industrial museum, derelict factory art gallery makeover, it is designed to be an intimate show on a grand scale, to impose itself on a town or city square and disrupt the normal flow of the space.
I will post another article shortly, with a fresh outline for the project. In the mean time here are a few drawings of the next set of machines.
I need a trusted producer! Anybody out there interested?
D.N.
Prometheus evaluation
Overall, the projects development and performance execution went very well, raising some important questions and discoveries regarding collaboration and rehearsing schedules.
Several useful discoveries were made as to the blending of traditional theatre practice and the creation of outdoor spectacle and performance, in combination with heavy use of faux industrial machinery inspired by the 19th century, intricate and tentative digital controls and under rehearsed performers and production team.
The main lesson is to work with the correct budget and enable enough time to work the story, devise the sequences and get the cues nailed. Time and money and not work and talent frustrated the final process of realising the show to our most perfect vision. However, this showcase/tryout performance was always to be regarded as an experimental event and great effort by all involved also created a wonderful performance, enjoyed by 500 guests and public.
The support from ACE enabled the show to be manufactured and technically produced in its fullest form; the funding has enabled this project to continue to develop towards a touring production. This first phase of Prometheus’ Garden has pushed the company’s work in new and confident ways with technologies, atmospheres and storytelling.
To conclude; Prometheus’ Garden was a great success, being well attended, attracting interest from several cultural festivals (Halifax, Bestival, Glastonbury). The company introduced 4 individuals into our way of working, providing experience through team inclusion on the site setup and production of the performance. Future development for touring is certain, with more energy concentrated on technical and performance rehearsals.
I would like to thank all who gave their support and worked so hard, put up with me and accepted reduced remuneration for long days and short nights.
They are (in no particular order):
- Delphine Sayre
- Louis Nicholson
- Alan Lane
- Lucy Hind
- Rob Hill
- Luke Burgess
- Mickey Bimble
- Brett Ward
- Andy Smith
- Dave Mason
- Brett Womersley
- Sarah Jane Palmer
- Al Orange
- Raise The Roof
- Elsecar Heritage Railway
- 52nd Street
- Barnsley Council
- Arts Council England
The Prometheus setup and tryout show
Many thanks to all of you who attended the first Prometheus Garden performance. Despite a limited budget and rehearsal time and the help of fantastic weather the show was a great success with many aspects of the production identified for further development and tweaking. We have had enthusiastic expressions of interest for next years festival season and work will start early next year to improve, change and finesse the project.
Prometheus was an experiment in what could be achieved by combining the many activities of both myself, the company team and collaboration with Slung Low. A very worth while project was realized, with a great opportunity to go further and attract attention from festivals and event. A lot of thanks goes to the Ex Com team, Slung Low, Elsecar Heritage Railway , Barnsley Council, Raise the Roof, 52nd Street and the Arts Council for their dedication, hard work and belief in the original idea.
Attached are some site preparation and show shots. I will be posting further images and video of the show as soon as they are back to us and will produce a touring information package in December.
Prometheus’ Garden final preparation
The show is finally complete. All music, lighting, Midi, pyrotechnic and performer cues are finished and the sculptures and set are painted and tested. We are now looking forward to good weather and a big audience for this unique and exciting premiere performance.
Prometheus’ Garden is an exciting world premiere combining giant mechanical sculptures, fireworks, video and pyrotechnics.
A simple story of one man’s struggle to fill a world of silence and darkness; a story of how far someone will go in order to avoid being alone.
Join us in a world of huge metal beasts, where flames shoot towards the moon and dark, industrial soundscapes echo in your ears.
Prometheus’ Garden is the pinnacle of External Combustion’s decades of experience creating spectacles. It’s years and years of skill concentrated into the singular endeavour of telling you a story about a man who imagined not being alone. And the consequences for all of us in his vision.
Created by Doug Nicholson of External Combustion
with Slung Low, Mickie Bimble and the External Combustion team
Performed by Mickie Bimble
In partnership with Barnsley Live, Arts Council England, 52nd Street and Raise The Roof.
Prometheus’ Garden delegates invitation
Prometheus Garden showcase invites are now going out. If you would like to attend, do drop us a line at info@externalcombustion.com by 1.10.12.
The making of the Tattooed Truck
The Tattooed Truck was such a labour of love and took the best part of two years to complete, in between other projects that I feel it needs a place within this Blog.
Inspired by vintage Showman vehicles and our pyro/video shows, such as Pyromancy, we decided to build a vehicle front of house for festivals and perform “Pyromancy” or the flame machine installations from a psychedelic antique vehicle, within the audience space.
The 61 year old Austin was coach built from the chassis up and had every mechanical part overhauled, plus the fitting of a modern Bio diesel engine. The images take you on a progress from start to finish and end with the wonderful paint work by Sheffield wall artist Phlegm.
Tattooed Truck has gone on to act as FOH for External Combustion projects at Glastonbury festival and numerous celebratory events in the UK.
