1. Knowing the stories behind things
After talking about these works for so long, we’ve somehow picked up all these little bits of knowledge about them.
Who made something, how it was made, why they made it, what else they do, the conversations we had during the process. If someone points to something in the flat and asks about it, chances are, one of us (if not all three) has a story about it.
It’s been really nice getting to know the work beyond just the object that eventually arrived at the flat.
2. Learning to leave our own taste at the door (a little)
This has probably been one of the trickier parts I think.
Obviously, we all have things we naturally gravitate towards. But we never really wanted the flat to become a collection of things that happened to fit our own tastes.
Part of making an archive has been trying to make space for lots of different styles and practices and ideas…including things we might not have put together ourselves.
And actually, some of the most interesting little moments happen when those very different things end up sharing a space.
3. Wanting basically everything in the flat
Yes I know, this slightly contradicts point two.
Every time we install something new, there seems to be another “oh my god, look at this” moment…
I love seeing something and wondering how someone’s brain even arrived there. And I have now said some variation of “when I get my first flat or house, I’m going to them for a chair / mug / light” enough times that I could probably furnish this imaginary home of mine, entirely with people we’ve met through the flat.
4. The food places we’ve found along the way
Very important.
Relish for amazing, amazing sandwiches. The corner shop about ten seconds from campus that sells a really nice açai-berry tea drink. And Astral Café, a little walk away, for when we need something a bit heartier.
To be fair, we have developed quite a good Chelsea food circuit.
5. All the little contributions
One of my favourite things about this project is how often one thing has led to another.
Someone has an idea, knows somebody, lends some knowledge, suggests something we hadn’t thought about or even just encourages us to keep going.
There are so many little contributions behind what has eventually ended up in the flat that you probably wouldn’t know were there just by looking at it.
6. Our WhatsApp chat
The Atterbury WhatsApp chat has become such a constant part of my life that the idea of it one day being quiet is genuinely quite strange.
Photos from the flat. Updates. Questions. Screenshots. Decisions. Voice notes. Problems that need solving. Things we’ve spotted. At some point, there will be less to say.
I can’t quite imagine that yet.
– B