Sarah

Correspondence used for the artwork ‘Many Hands: A year of exchanges and stories’

I’ve just checked the forecast for surfing and it is going to be absolutely massive – 6-10ft! Very strange for this time of year, summer usually = small waves but its definitely not the right day for learners. Am looking for a 1-2ft day for us to have a good time.  Shall we pencil in Mon 6th instead and I’ll check again next week to see if the swell has settled down? The water will be warm for ages so best to make sure we have some nice conditions. – S

Hey B, It’s an awful day for waves – pollution from rain and a 5ft windblown mess at Manly. I think too strong for beginning. I’m keen to teach the girls so will make a note to make another plan when I get back next week. Water is warm for ages still. S

Hi B, touching base re. surfing. Monday looks fine. Wondering if Bondi is any good as the north corner is the best spot for learning – otherwise Manly or Freshwater are options as we discussed. I can be to Bondi by 4pm, northern beaches say 430pm. – S

Bondi sounds good. We should get there by 4.15pm. Assuming we hire the boards from somewhere in north bondi. Can u recommend somewhere? – B

Fab! I went to Let’s Go Surfing this morning. They said they close at 5pm Mon but we should be able to keep the boards until 530, if there’s lesson on that day. So I’ll meet you there and we can suss it out. Otherwise I have a foam board and we can share. See you by the sea – S 

Both the girls really enjoyed themselves and are keen to go again if next Mon or Wed after school works. I asked T why she was struggling so much with standing…considering her good skills at balance etc and she said it was because she kept getting  ‘nipple slip’ …so funny! I suggested she wear a tshirt next time so she didnt have to worry about it. – B

That’s great news, Am stoked the girls enjoyed it. Yes to next Mon – I’ll keep an eye on wave conditions and will be in touch if it looks too big. Otherwise let’s do 415 at the board hire again. I think Tilly has coined a new bit of surf slang – funny to think that “nipple slip” is a product of year of time! – S

26/3 – Just confirming surfing still good for this arvo? Can’t find ur mobile – B

Hope the surfing went well. I figure that you’ve done two sessions of 4:15 – 5:30pm, does that sound about right? That leaves 4hrs and 20 minutes. So, we can either keep going with the surfing….unless you think it’s getting a bit cold for newbies….Or, the other thing that’s happened is that the lovely lady who was doing the cooking for me rang today to say that she’s had some bad health news so can no longer make nibbles for the guests. So I’m looking for someone to maybe whip up a couple of platters of veggie finger food that people could have with their drinks on arrival – B

Luke got very close to standing, I’m not quite sure how much Tilly enjoyed it without the fun of nipple-slip though!  Tilly did find Monday more chilly than previously. This project is really interesting to be a part of. It’s causing me to reflect on how cold currency is – without need for negotiation or any additional input from those involved in the exchange. So! I quite like idea of shifting from surfing into cooking, as these are my back up careers and there is something poetic for me about moving through both these modes in exchange for what I value as your creative practice. Also, happy to be able to help you out! But I don’t want to discourage the surf crew. How many peeps do these platters need to feed? – S

Thanks Sarah that would be bloody amazing! I was just thinking exactly the same thing yesterday about cold currency and how it distances us from each other. Am being interviewed next week about artists who use jewellery and objects as currency in their work…it’s such a rich way of practicing. We need to provide nibbles for 35 people. I have heaps of herbs that can be used for garnish if you need and will also make a couple of dips as back up. Your email has lifted such a weight off my shoulders. The news yesterday about the food and poor D really threw me….more than it should have – B

Just wanted to touch base re.Sunday. I have an idea to wrap a table / few chairs / stump in wax paper and arrange foods on that rather than platters…If that sounds cool i can pop in a bit early and figure it out! For your planning info – I have a pile of sesame cured cucumbers, black olives, pita and garlic yoghurt, hunks of cheese with grapes and pickled onion on the go. Hope that sounds ok? Do you have mint? I’m imaging this is yes! would be great to use if you do. Looking forward to enjoying music in the garden – S

Cool, thanks for touching base! That all sounds great. You can wrap the dining room table in the paper. Sounds fun. A bit short of chairs as all will be used for bum supports. I’ll be back from repair cafe around 4.30pm. L will be there earlier. Peeps arriving 5.30pm. Yep have mint and HEAPS of parsley. Am so looking forward to a bit of relaxing, glass of wine and soulful music in the garden….don’t get to enjoy it as much as I’d like! – B

Thanks so much for all your help with the food last night. I hope you had a nice time. I bumped into a neighbour this morning and they’d enjoyed the music from afar! Also, had so many comments on your pickled cucumbers. Can you please email through the recipe So that I can forward on to peeps – B