Author: helenahildur

NUrope XIII, Kiev and Lviv: Interrupted Histories Continue

art, teaching, time-out


One of the local hosts of the Nomadic University: Les Kurbas Theatre Centre

Thanks to the dedication of Curator Yulia Usova (Perfect Art Institution, Stockholm/London/Kiev), the Nomadic University will soon see its 13th oasis happen in Ukraine – and for anyone interested in the field of art, culture and economy in contemporary Eastern Europe, this is a unique opportunity. We are invited to understand the current situation through professional people seeking to work along independent thoughtlines; artists, authors, journalists, theatre workers and film-makers will be sharing their experiences and views.
Programme here:

Kiev-Lviv programme, October 3 – 6 2011

Interested to join? Yes, it’s still possible. For application, go to:

http://www.nurope.eu/application.html

@ ArtLab Gnesta III

art, recent work


at ArtLab entrance; all photos HHW.

If the installation at Åmells deals with art as craftsmanship and merchandise, this one touches on art reflecting images of wo/man; comprising – among other things – a nude model study, a contour drawing on the wall, two paintings from the Casilda series and two (auto)portraits; one by myself, one by a friend with autism. There is also a plummet, and mirrors mounted to meet the eye from various angles.

For Swedish readers, the “Theories, Methods and Practises” text is available – as a part of the installation, and here:

“Ja, vad är målandets objekt..?”

ArtLab staircase with inscription (HHW); photo by Lars Berg
ArtLab staircase and 2nd floor lounge + model study; all photos HHW.

@ Åmells Möbler

art, recent work



 

all photos by HHW.

These are some of my recent (and not-so-recent) paintings on display at  Åmells Möbler, Gnesta. The scenography is basically the showroom of Åmells’ factory workshop – where 18th century furniture (rococo and Gustavian style) are manufactured largely by hand, and with great care and skills. Consequently, my installation emphasizes art as craftmanship and as merchandise; paintings are mounted to match furniture and displayed with prize labels.
I also add some books: a recent publication from r a k e t a – soy parte del mundo – William Morris’ political writings and John Ruskin’s Sesame and Lilies, poets Erik Beckman and Cesare Pavese,  Catching the Light by Arthur Zajonc, and, in honour of Karl Schultz-Köln, an anthology of  his texts on art as research.

Next to this, photographer Bengt Björkbom shows a collection of his photo portraits; pregnant black-and-white, Dogma style “classic photography” in the tradition of Robert Frank, Diane Arbus, Walker Evans, Sune Jonsson… and, of course, Bengt’s own teachers: Walter Hirsch, Inge Roos and Christer Strömholm.

Camera snapshots and diary paintings…  moments of human experience, processed by mind, hand and technique.

@ ArtLab Gnesta II

art, beauty, recent work

installation at ArtLab Gnesta, Aug/Sept 2011; photos HHW.

The installation space in itself is interesting: a very narrow staircase leading from the main entrance up to a tiny lounge corner. Wrought iron balustrades enclose the floorspace on two sides, leaving open some five or six metres of height on the other side and giving the feeling of an indoor balcony. From up here, one can watch people go by downstairs and look down upon the ground floor exhibition space.
A calm space; secluded, yet connected.

I decide to leave the balcony’s walls empty, just placing a round, black piece of felt on the floor. Upon the black mat: an armchair. It’s an old one, made to support sitting in an upright position. It couldn’t really be called an easy chair… it seems designed for wakeful rest.
On the walls facing the balcony, I add some items: a charcoal drawing and some written paragraphs on the wall surface; a model study from long ago; a more recent motif treated in two tempera paintings; a plummet; two (self)portraits – one by me, one by a friend; and some mirrors. I make sure that one of the mirrors reflect what’s going on upstairs for those who have to stay below – since there is zero accessibility for those who cannot climb the stairs. Finally, for those who will look for an interpretation key, I leave some reading beside the armchair.

This is it.
Feel invited to sit down for a while, next to art.

@ ArtLab Gnesta I

art, recent work



building process; photos HHW.

 

The last few days I have had the pleasure to build an installation at ArtLab Gnesta.
For the ArtLab, it’s a kind of sneak preview; it hasn’t really opened yet, but nevertheless provides an exhibition space for a local Open Studio event. The installation will be on display for the week to come, opening hours are the same as the exhibition; weekdays 16 – 19, Saturday (Sept 3) 11 – 17, and Sunday (Sept 4) 11 – 16.

http://www.artlabgnesta.se/
http://www.egenart.info/konstrundan/samlings.html

Constantia diary: Lerwick – Bergen – Stockholm

time-out

Leaving t/s Constantia and Shetland in the morning of July 23, 2011. A day-and-night’s stopover in Norway; where, the day before, one man’s loneliness and fear had turned him into a cowardly mass murderer. And where – that day and afterwards – millions rejected to be ruled by that fear.

Sites are real, therefore passages exist. Languages are real, therefore translations exist.
My heartland is my body and its history of moments; my people are those who – although constantly erring, like myself – believe in love and respect.

One heaven. One earth.

Constantia diary: Westray, Orkney

time-out

Apart from anchorwatches and cooking, there are few duties as long as we’re in harbour. Free hours are often spent reading or playing cards, and some of the trainees organize a chess tournament. Having joined a project group back in Sweden, I brought with me one particular book, Catching the Light by American physicist Arthur Zajonc; a history of the evolving perceptions of light by religion, art and science… Or, as  it’s put in the subtitle: “the Entwined History of Light and Mind”. I have undertaken to translate one or more of its chapters, so right now, I follow Einstein in his Gedanken-Experimente, running with light… Occasionally, I turn to the chessplayers asking for their opinions on linguistic matters, and get some good advice.
Within a day or two, the wind and sea calms down, and finally we take leave of Stornoway – now heading for Lerwick. On the way, we make a short stopover at Orkney. This is where three of Constantia’s trainees come from, and one of them is now leaving our ship to return home. On Westray, we make land at an empty pier by a desolate ferry station, and soon Kieran’s father and brother come to pick him up. Kieran climbs down from t/s Constantia to the sturdy, fast motorboat of his father’s; one sea, two worlds. The two captains exchange some appreciative words, and we part again. Our next leg is for Lerwick, Shetland.


110721 Stornoway to Westray; watercolour on paper, 15 x 15 cms