#wormsley

[septembergold]

Sir Paul Getty's library at Wormsley, Wycombe

[indigoburns]

untitled on Flickr.

[htmlles11]

Encounters with Alisha B. Wormsley

Alisha Wormsley can be described in one word as diverse. Working as a multi-media artist, photographer, teaching artist and writer, she has been involved in numerous projects. Based both in Pittsburg and Brooklyn, Alisha has shared her talents with several cultural institutions such as Children’s Aid Society, the Studio Museum of Harlem, the Romare Bearden Foundation, and the Faith Ringgold School in Harlem.

A former student of anthropology and documentary art, Alisha’s studies have assisted her with the development of her artwork. Her inspiration comes from stories, skills, and rituals which are then applied to her work. As she explains, “I collect these stories, archiving them and always making connections between them.”

Her most recent work, The Children of NAN, fuses together both folklore traditions and pop culture, producing what she describes as “new fictions and science fictions.” Alisha’s work brings together film, photography and sound in order to create a more conceptually complete image. She further describes the work as “a mythology of civilization in which, 2000 years ago, dark skinned women ruled the earth.”

Through her alteration of historical episodes, Alisha has challenged the current world in which we live. Her work theorizes a scenario that calls for interracial relations in order for the human race to survive; yet it still manages to render notions of racial oppression. By doing so, this new fiction recognizes the current success of Black Americans and praises them for how far they have come since the times of slavery. Alisha’s work is also applicable to the progress of black women in a male dominant society. However, it still understands the various struggles that remain within these communities. Seen in this context one may begin to better understand the messages she is attempting to present. Alisha’s video captures a distinct truth of history that could only be attainable in fictitious expeditions, one that ventures through a conceptual future.

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By Romina Cameron

Resources:

http://www.alishabwormsley.com/alishabwormsley/the_children_of_NAN.html http://www.curatenyc.org/2013/alisha-b-wormsley-2-entry

[aussiecricket]

Ellyse Perry on day four (August 14, 2013). Getty

[myss2013]

Women's cricket: A real eye opener - Ashes Test match Day 2

After experiencing the Ladies European tour two weeks ago, I was equally excited about another first. This time it was women’s cricket, which admittedly was long overdue. As part of a new format the sole Ashes test match is being played at the picturesque Wormsley cricket ground in Buckinghamshire.

Over the last few years I’ve heard glowing reports about women’s cricket from my dad who has watched and umpired a number of matches, including a couple at Wormsley. I was about to see why the standard and the ground have impressed him so much - along with around the 3,000 spectators who had attended the first day.

From being the dominant force in women’s cricket, England now see Australia hold the Ashes as well as the 50 over and 20/20 World Cups. Until this year the Women’s Ashes was decided by a one off test match but the new exciting format sees points up for grabs in seven matches over the three formats. The winner of the test match gains 6 points ( 2 each if it is drawn) as well as 2 points for each of the three 50 over and 20/20 matches.

Australia’s ladies showed their male counterparts how to bat on day one as they reached 243-3, with Sarah Elliott unbeaten on 95. Despite some slightly nervy moments on the second morning she reached her century before being caught by Lydia Greenway off the bowling of Anya Shrubsole for 104. Australia then lost Jodie Fields (6) and Alexandra Blackwell (54) as they attempted to push on at a quicker rate. However, a brisk 31 from Ellyse Perry resulted in a bold declaration at 331-6 shortly before lunch. It was an admirable and aggressive move as the Australians were looking for 6 points, which would effectively put them three wins ahead.

Openers Heather Knight and Arran Brindle saw England through to lunch, but the Australians ripped through England’s top and middle order in the afternoon session. Brindle was first to go with the score on 36 as she was trapped lbw by Perry. Sarah Taylor and Knight took the score onto 80 before Taylor was beaten for pace by a bouncer from Holly Ferling which looped to Elliott at square leg. Ferling then took the prized wicket of Charlotte Edwards for just 3, although the England captain looked far from happy with the lbw decision. Off spinner Erin Osbourne then dismissed Greenway, Tammy Beaumont and Jenny Gunn for single figure scores to leave England reeling on 113-6 with plenty of time still left in the day. The wicket of Beaumont was particularly impressive as Blackwell took a sharp, low catch at short leg. Laura Marsh came in at number seven and provided some much needed resistance which helped Knight reach her fifty which included some textbook straight drives. The pair saw England through to the close at 172-6, with Knight on 85 and Marsh making 13 from 114 balls.

Despite England’s mini recovery I can only see one team being able to win and Australia will be looking to finish the innings quickly in the morning. England will be hoping for more of the same from Knight and Marsh but their first objective will be to score the ten runs needed to reach the follow on target and then bat for as long as possible. They surely can’t afford to give Australia a six point start.

Apart from the chilly weather I thoroughly enjoyed my first experience of women’s cricket, which just happened to be at the highest level on what must be one of the most beautiful grounds in the country. I had heard numerous times that the standard was much better than most people give the ladies credit for and I have to agree. For me the most impressive part was the fielding, especially some of the near miraculous stops from the bowlers off their own deliveries. Regardless of the result of this Test I hope that I will be able to make another match in the series. The full list of fixtures is available at:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/20729965 

[aussiecricket]

A view of the ground on day three (August 13, 2013). Getty

[aussiecricket]

Sarah Elliot with son Sam at the end of day three in Wormsley (August 13, 2013). Getty