07.04.09
Catalogue for Con-Text
Yesterday, after a long, hot day at work, Lis came here to help getting the catalogue for CON-TEXT properly started.
My God! There are so many possible constellations and variations when it comes to the lay out. It’s a pretty crucial process – a matter of cutting to the core – what do we really want here? Based on the material given, we work hard to stick to the overall concept: “Less is more”.
07.01.09
Red shoes´ tale
Short, visual story project. Worked out at Vallekilde - in pairs– one author and one illustrator.
The task was to create the storyline/storyboard together. Then each person elaborated his/her part – text or image – till we met again to see if two elements were still on line. Sounds simple – but actually more participants experienced a real hard time. For others it went the smoother path. In general cooperation/collaboration in artprojects can be a tough challenge! We all have our strong ideas and sometimes VERY individualistic approach!
Anyway. This is the tale of two red Turkish dance shoes escaping their “golden cage” - the easy but boring life at court - to go out and discover real life and true love…
Very realistic!
06.24.09
Vallekilde
Attending a week course in children’s and young peoples´ literature – for authors, illustrators, publishers and critics – professionals, semi professionals, and amateurs – in the beautiful settings at Vallekilde Højskole. Intense days and nights brimming with new ideas, stories and techniques – performed by funny, strange, intelligent and interesting people, doesn´t that sound terrific?
The daily programme includes lectures, mornings and evenings and – what interests me the most – the afternoon workshops in writing and illustrations! Of course I´ve signed up for the illustrators’ class conducted by Lillian Brøgger and Rasmus Bregnhøj, a really consciousness expanding, ass kicking experience…guess I´m still flying…with new seeds of in my pockets, in my shoes, heart and mind.
It is like an injection of inspiration given in a very concentrated but still relaxed way. All meals are served, everything is provided for. You only have to focus on the stuff that interests you! I think everybody, no matter of age, status or whatever deserves a stay like this – at LEAST once a year!
So it’s probably not breaking news that I’m totally drenched – but happy! So long Vallekilde!
06.13.09
Closure
Created this Artists´ Book recently for Closure. The task simply was to illustrate something that closes / ends / stops. I decided to focust on the idea of having to say goodbye to life itself – something we’ll all inevitably experience – one way or the other.
I was inspired by an old school photo found in my grandmother’s photo album. When I started looking at all the individual faces, their hair, clothes, the way to stand, sit or pose I couldn’t help thinking of destinies and life stories. What dreams and expectations did they have these kids? How were their family backgrounds? Who were friends with whom? Who grew up and became lovers? Who are still alive today – and who left this world long time ago?
As a small appendix, I attached a bag of seeds from my garden as every participant has been asked to contribute a symbolic item to a collaborative collection that will remain as a record after the exhibition. Hopefully these flower seeds will remind us that the cycle of life always continues. After death comes resurrection!
06.07.09
Slowly but steadily
After some time of looking a lot at paper qualities, images , overall framework for poster, invitation / flyer and catalog for CON-TEXT, we´re ready to take the next step…
Yesterday I even had some new programs for designing and editing pictures and texts installed at my pc and now I look forward to investigate the possibilities. I had a 6 weeks intensive pc-course recently, most inspiring – but also somewhat of a hurry. I never really got acquainted with it all – but now I can try it out again – my way. YES!
05.28.09
Art on prescription
The idea is to exhibit and supply original(!) works of art during the Aarhus Festival – which this year has the theme “The future is near.” At a deeper level, this deals with the importance of allowing ourselves time and space for art, poetry and magic.
Prescription forms have just come from print – and is now to be dispatched to the artists – for further processing…
More info here
05.17.09
Dream of a catalogue
Good news: Upcoming Project ABC / Context has just been granted funding support from Nordic Culture Point, so now there’ll definitely be a proper exhibition catalogue!
Let me take the opportunity to show you the catalogue from 5.th Triennial in Vilnius. I am pretty wild with the concept: Super quality paper, beautiful but simple typography and layout – very “graphic”. And the idea of literally “binding” together everything is absolutely tremendous: The catalogue itself actually becomes an “Artists’ Book” on Artists’ Books, is that a generously simple and intelligent design? Listen, hear the angels sing!
Ok, now I just try to keep the ground a moment before lost in superlatives… but it is wonderful to have recourses to dream away?!
05.10.09
A Book Arts Festival in Dk
Yesterday opened Denmark’s first Book Arts Center & Festival at Limfjord Center located in a former merchant house at Doverodde, Thy, a scenic, quite sparsely populated area in north-western Jutland. The place functions as a regional history museum and centre for nature and outdoor activities and is now also housing Doverodde Book Arts Festival.
The festival lasts Friday to Sunday and consists of an exhibition in the former stockhouse, an additional ”reading corner” with a (permanent) display of artists’ books, various workshops in paper folding, marbling art, pop-up books and other book related activies - and some lectures with capacities from GB as Sarah Bodmann and Tom Sowden from UWE in Bristol.
I attended Sarah’s talk on artists’ books the other day, it was really exciting and informative – although it took place in a rather primitive setting – a tent – while outside it was more than windy. Conditions were not optimal, to say at least, but she did it superbly!
A special gift was the exhibition of works made by the local artist Mogens Otto Nielsen. I´m totally on! Not only “on wavelength” but deeply related to the very way his works unfold and to his universe in general. We had the luck to meet and talk to the man himself. It really made my day - I hereby declare myself as instant ON fan!
Congratulations to Doverodde for a very good start of a hopefully strong and lasting series of Book Art Festivals in Denmark!
05.06.09
Where does inspiration come from?
Does it come from the lively chatter at the neighbour table in the café with the checkered tablecloths? The sounds from River Neris? The scent of pipe tobacco and newly mown grass?
Or does it come from the melancholic accordion tune that waves against you in the evening darkness on the way home after a happy evening in good company? Or is it the feeling of cobblestone peaked through your shoe soles, the smell of incense in the Russian church, the peeled, pastel coloured walls or conciliatory tone which surrounds people here?
I do not know. I only know that I am filled to the brim with impressions
05.04.09
Greeting from Vilnius
We have wonderfull days in Vilnius attending the opening of TEXT. 5th International Artist Books Triennial.
It is so great to be here, I hardly know where to begin and where to end my telling – and which images to choose for illustration. I´ve got well above hundred of photos – of the city, the art works, the opening of the exhibition, the artists we´ve met, the churches we´ve been to, our walks, detours and outings, cafes and restaurants where we´ve been eating and drinking coffee, etc. etc….
The city is boiling and bursting with life and energy these days. Besides the local population and the usual tourists, lots of extra visitors are present because of the 1st of May (which is a public holiday here!), a street music festival, and a 3-days international pilgrimage festival/-event going on in any of the city’s churches (and there are really a lot!) Furthermore the whole atmosphere of experiencing something extraordinary is underlined by the fact that every day since our arrival, the weather has been like summer when best. People walk the streets in just shirt sleeves – it feels like being in Italy. You just rest in the parc, at the ground next to the river – or hang out in the streeet cafées – whenever you need a break.
Basically, to be here means new impressions and impulses. You can´t help lots og instant inspiration pops up in your mind while walking and talking. It feels like an invitation to be alert and present. To open the senses, enjoy the moment of now – according to your own inner rhythm – and in the company of good friends and colleagues from near and far of course…
