Page 74 of The Examiner

Please can we show them Tuesday? Dad has to pick me up an hour late after his meeting.

Patrick Bright

Be prepared for Jonathan to veto the idea of including it in the installation. I’m still not sure how we came to have that radio in the cupboard. Promise, now.

Jem Badhuri

Pat, you’re a dear, but also a spoilsport. OK then.

To: Gela Nathaniel

From: Griff Technician (Maintenance)

Date: 9 February 2024

Subject: MA group

You asked me to keep you informed about how the MA group are tackling their next assignment. This is where they work in unfamiliar mediums and help each other, yes? Well, Jonathan is teaching Jem about photography, although it strikes me she’s telling him more than he’s telling her. In turn, she’s showing him how to work with sound. For this they hogged the media room for the whole of Tuesday. They almost gave Rita a heart attack when Jem screamed as if she was being murdered. It transpired this was for a soundscape.

You said Alyson is showing Ludya how to use a potter’s wheel and she’s giving Alyson a masterclass in stop-motion, but they haven’t been doing it here, so I can’t say how they’ve been getting on. You have an odd number of students, then asked them to pair up, so there’s bound to be one left on their own and it’s Patrick. He seems adrift. It’s a shame your other fellow left. Anyway, Patrick’s decided to learn about epoxy resin, and it’s been me and Rita who’ve talked him through it and kept an eye while he makes all the rookie mistakes. On this note, teaching is not in our contracts and, despite Patrick being polite and enthusiastic, the technicians have enough work to do without babysitting a novice.

You asked how they’re fitting in this assignment between their work on the final project. In short, they aren’t. I haven’t seen any progress made on the tunnel material or the clay head all week. Having said that, Jem plays with a hissing and squawking old radio whenever she’s alone in the studio and thinks no one is watching.

Griff

To: Griff Technician (Maintenance)

From: Gela Nathaniel

Date: 9 February 2024

Subject: Re: MA group

Thank you, Griff. I’m so sorry you’ve all had extra work, with Patrick being left on his own. I didn’t specify that this was a pairing-up task, but I should have realised they would naturally end up doing so. Alyson and Ludya have been meeting in Alyson’s studio to work on their pieces – that’s why we haven’t seen them. Not sure what Jem is doing with an old radio, but she’ll tell me soon enough. I’m glad to hear they’re all working hard. I knew they would neglect the final project. It’s all part of their learning curve. Thank you, Griff, and apologies again for the extra pressure on your team.

Gela

Doodle message group [Private] Jem, Patrick, Jonathan, Alyson and Ludya, 13 February 2024:

Patrick Bright

I’ve set this group up for the five of us because obviously Cameron isn’t around now and we want to show you guys before we tell Gela. But Jem and I have a surprise for you all. Can we gather in the studio at 5 p.m. tomorrow – after Gela leaves, and before Jem’s dad picks her up?

Jem Badhuri

We have to start the tunnel structure tomorrow, so everyone has to come in anyway.

Ludya Parak

Might be in tomorrow, might not. And before anyone asks, I’ve already left my assignment with Rita.

Alyson Lang

See you there.

Jem Badhuri

I’ve been bursting to tell you all for days, haven’t I, Patrick? It’s very exciting!