watercolour painting by “T”; photo by HHW.

Here, finally, are some of those paintings which tell no other story than the one of their own creation; light perceived and rendered into material existence by a human mind process… in this case a unusually complex one, as some of the originators are neurologically cut off from their own motor functions and can perform their painting only in intimate cooperation with a supporting assistant.
The method, known as facilitated communication or FC, is used primarily for written communication by people who cannot speak. By the help of FC, many who were formerly treated as hopelessly ignorant have now been able to express their thoughts and feelings.
Here the process is taken one step further; not only expressing experience, but creating it.

two watercolour paintings by Andreas Osika; photos by HHW.

(above) the ‘narrative’ room, interior with various works;
(middle) three figures – Jesus, the Raven and a devil – by Tommy Eriksson;
(below) Death by Johanna Tapio;
all photos HHW.

The ‘narrative’ room hosts all kinds of stories – written as well as materialized in paint, charcoal, fabric and papier-mâché; peacefully poetic landscapes, dramatic representations of symbolic figures and vivid renderings of memories and dreams.

the Mill by Peter Starholt; photo HHW.

above: flower painting by Bengt Christer Carlsson, flower arrangement and mixed technique assemblage by Helena Hildur W;
below: mirror installation  by HHW and self portrait by Mayson Kourie;
all photos by Helena Hildur W.

The material readily grouped along three distinct themes – the narrative, the self portrait theme and that which deals with light and colour representing nothing but itself. Each one could have formed a separate exhibition; I chose to interlace all three, trying to do justice to the great range of expressions and temperaments. To the self portrait theme, I add mirror installations.

self portrait by Erik Bergström; photo HHW.

In this exhibition, there are works from more than 30 originators, including myself. What we have in common may be the experience of solitariness, and a strive for communication which is not easily obtained. Some of us are restricted by neural or muscular disabilities, some of us have (for various reasons) never even spoken. Being human, we are vulnerable and imperfect.
Nevertheless, courage and awareness at times turn our imperfection into divine playfulness.

drawing by Ulf Magni; photo HHW.

paintings from upcoming exhibition “among others” (details); all photos by HHW.

And now for something completely different… curating “among others”, an exhibition with works by some of my friends.

Raine mounting photos; in the next booth is Anders from Hjärnstorm

Photos, maps and artworks from nomads, a few nomadic chairs and a table. These are the visual features of the NUrope mirage. People stop by to talk, to look at paintings or to have their shoes polished – thereby participating in a multi-layered performance by Belgian artist Lieven Paelinck. Other nomads represented were Reino Koivula, Raine Johnsson, Hanna Varis and Kim Ramstedt (Finland); Luise Kloos (Austria); Stella Fajerson (Sweden/Dubai); Maria Backman, Mikael Scherdin, Max Valentin and myself from Sweden – all in little more than four square metres. Even more nomads were involved in preparations – like curator Yulia Usova from Ukraine – or just joined in and took part. Invited by the Supermarket team, and inspired by Reino, five of us also staged an artist talk on contemporary art as viewed from a future perspective.

Lieven’s shoeshine performance; Reino, Kim and Maria listening to Kim’s “Supermercado” soundtrack from Maasto records; Maria purchasing the cd

Supermercado, a Nomadic soundtrack

During the three days, we have met and interacted with hundreds of people. The Nomadic University has manifested its faculties in making art, philosophy and business in the context of the Supermarket Art Fair; this is now another nomadic experience.

Time to sit down and talk over it, before parting again.

To be continued.

Lieven Paelinck and Stella Fajerson; painting on the wall by Maria Backman, paintings on the floor by Stella Fajerson

How can the Nomadic University visualize itself at an art fair?

NUrope characteristics are the notebooks, the table, and the chairs; notebooks for reflection, a table for sharing, and chairs for resting in movement…

Now, the artworks are our (transformed) notebooks.  Our 2 x 2 metres’ booth is the space shared at the Supermarket. The nomadic chairs we bring for you.

Opening tomorrow. Be welcome!