A start?!

Got my LIFE winter issue last week – enjoyed my see my banner design – on print.

Now I consider if I should make some DIY banner kits – for sale? A small line of kits complete with instructions, ready cut flags, paperscrap, a little embellishment, string etc. Everything included – except gluestick and paint … Easy to mail. Easy to get started – and done! For creative people who maybe just need a little inspiration and an easy-to-do project?

What do you think?

… and a Happy New Year!

A little late maybe – but still: Wish you all a happy NEW, creative, loving, worth-while 2012.

May you enjoy the journey!

Merry X

Family, friends – near – and far away. Joy to the world – and a merry, peaceful Christmas!

Solstice

A little pre-Christmas-treat to celebrate – Solstice (22/12) = the shortest day, the longest night. From a wonderful concert I attended recently (13th.Dec) in St. John’s in Vilnius, on the magic night of St. Lucia.

After the concert all guests vere invited by the Swedish embassey to have glögg, traditional swedish mulled wine, pepparkakor (ginger biscuits) and lussekatter (saffron buns) in the grand courtyard of Vilnius University. Great event!

More music in glimpses – to fuel the spirit here …

A Lecture

Quite amazed to see the announcement of my lecture: seems I advanced to be a professor overnight. Did’t protest though!

My subject was “Art as Communication”. A presentation of ideas, concepts and resources, works, projects and collaborations. Reflection on  the attitude of the artist, as part of the handling of materials related to the artist’s philosophy.

Visit Vilnius

Fairly satisfied sitting a few hours in transit at CHP airport – to digest at least some of the many impressions from this last week in Vilnius.

It’s been incredibly interesting and instructive to take part in the selection of works for 6th International Artists’ Books Triennial and a great pleasure and inspiration to talk to other jurymembers, artists and creative people in Vilnius.

First and foremost of course I’d like to introduce my friend, Kestutis Vasiliunas, professor at the graphics department at Vilnius Academy of Arts as well as initiator and leader of the Artists BooksTrienniales, whom I have known for many years now. Most certainly Kestutis is a person of boundless hospitality and – apparently always – plenty of time for taking care of his guests as the host, taxi driver, tour guide, teacher, organizer, entertainer – and ambassador for his beleaguered country. OMG, how we’ve laughed over his portrayal – or should I say performance – of “life under Soviet domination” as well as the contemporary political situation. Not because it’s funny what’s going on. Quite the contrary. But the ability to “see” the madness of life has quite a fertile ground in a nation like Lithuania.

Some squaremeters of artists’ books waiting for judgement …

The jury: Kestutis, Deirdre Kelly from Venezia, me – and Joseph Johannes (JOOP) Visser, NL

I’d say we did work fairly concentrated, but also had some decent regular coffe breaks,lunch hour breaks, outings, museum visits etc. to keep up the steam. (Here in the office of the Art Academi, Deirdre, Agota, one young student/assistent, me, Joseph)

Yesterday Josep and I even held a lecture at the Academy. As Josep is not just an artist but also a wonderful composer, his lecture was more or less him performing some of his piano works accompanied by his graphical slide show. This guy’s a real English, that is Scottish, gentleman – whose whole appearance(!), distinct vocal diction (as he read aloud for the audience his translated poems) and appearance made me almost see Tolkien before my eyes.

NB. Results of the selection will be published Sunday here.

BOOK of LOVE

Another artists’ books collaboration with Bridgette Guerzon Mills: BOOK of LOVE, bound in a codex structure and made of recycled cardboard. Transparent sheets with printed statements – alternating with cardboard pages filled to the brim with collages in images and wax alternates. The subject is all about LOVE. Not the love for a specific person. Merely a general/ universal feeling of love – and grattitude for LIFE in all its’ complex aspects. (More pics here).

Tomorrow I’ll bring both works to Lithuania. I am invited to be in the jury for 6th International Artists’ Books Triennial, Vilnius 2012. Local tradition allows jurymembers to still contribute works to the exhibition. Grateful for that arrangement!

Hopefully I find a steady net connection over there – so I can do a little update along the way

Inner light

A walk the other day: Cold, wet, silent and dark. So wonderful. Life-giving indeed! (In appropriate doses …)

How do you manage winter and darkness?

Hope you find enough inner light and heat to keep up spirits!

Art class

Students in the studio at Testrup Højskole.

This autumn semester is soon over and done! What happened? I have a feeling we’ve just begun (when actually we started way back in August …)

Green Studio

My favorite activity this first weekend of Advent: Creating green wreaths and decorations for sale at the Christmas basar at the Steiner School, Århus.

Same tradition every year, even now my children are grown and no longer goes to school.