Page 55 of The Examiner

Jem Badhuri

When we come back from Somerset?

Gela Nathaniel

You and I aren’t going to Somerset. The needs of the team are best met if we stay in the studio and focus on the project.

Jem Badhuri

But the team will be given salvage materials. I need to be there to examine them.

Gela Nathaniel

A bag of discarded components can easily be sorted here. I’ve got a two-day schedule for us. We’ll have breakfast in the Aviator, then spend the first morning constructing a framework to hold the sculpture and protect it in the studio. I’ll take you for lunch at the Orangery – you won’t have been there, it’s the formal academic dining room – and in the afternoon we’ll concentrate on starting the wire base.

Doodle message group [Private] Jem and Patrick, 11 January 2024:

Jem Badhuri

Gela says I can’t go to Somerset with the rest of you. She wants me to work on the installation with her.

Patrick Bright

Well, she must value your skills, to want you there at ground level. I don’t blame her, Jem – your work in clay so far has been exceptional, and the giant head-shaped thing is all your creative vision.

Jem Badhuri

That giant head-shaped thing is a replica binaural microphone in clay. You’re right, no other artist on this course has my passion for sculpture. Gela said she’ll take me for lunch at the Orangery. If she orders wine, I might get some gossip out of her.

Patrick Bright

The Orangery? Students can only eat there if invited by a member of academic staff. That’s more than an honour, Jem. And yes, you find out the gossip from Gela, and I’ll report back on the trip – we can have a full debriefing session afterwards!

Jem Badhuri

Excellent idea! Thank you, Patrick – that’s a date!

Doodle message group [Private] Jem and Gela, 11 January 2024:

Jem Badhuri

It’ll just be you and me?

Gela Nathaniel

Yes. And on the second day, when the team is on its way home, we’ll have brunch together and clear some space ready for the fabric tunnel. It should be a productive and pleasant couple of days.

Jem Badhuri

That’s a date!

To: MMAM(FTP)

From: Gela Nathaniel

Date: 12 January 2024

Subject: Sourcing trip to Somerset