The residency draws to a conclusion with a final workshop – guest artist Andreas Ribbung who I already know as he is one of the Supermarket art fair directors. Yesterday was definitely the day after the night before – a very late start. It had not been such a late … nor drunken … evening for me but I was happy to take a slow morning. I went back over to the abandoned house and gathered up the exhausted tea-lights and the paper cups. Somehow the building is more intimidating in daylight – perhaps because the state of it, and the traces of nefarious activity, are not evident in the darkness.
The workshop began with us – working in small groups – considering the general attitude towards artists exhibiting in exhibitions that they have organised. I recognise this as one of Andreas’ interests and themes. It was hard for me to identify a ’general attitude’ … immediately I began to question whose attitude. Our group discussion was interesting – I realised that there are so many contributing factors – not least the motivation for showing. Issues of credibility, frequency, and status came up, as did the relation to institutions and/or commercial scene. We referred to examples that we found inspiring as well as those that we found difficult and disappointing. There were some cultural differences and more than likely some generational differences … acknowledged and unacknowledged. We spoke about strategic uses of the format as opposed to habitual uses. We compared (best we could) the visual art scene to the worlds of literature and music. When the three smaller groups reconvened the discussion evolved to include questions around the alternatives and opportunities for artists … especially artists working outside of the art-market/gallery scene … how and where can we exhibit … present experimental and process-based work for feedback from our peers … where are the spaces for non-institutional (art) research … what are appropriate contexts for exposing various practices.
It was already starting to get dark, we decided that part two of the question would be considered while walking towards the restaurant where we would have dinner. Being in the fresh air and snow it was hard to stay focussed on the topic … distracted by the sights and sounds of walking through streets as people finished their working week. We stopped to look at the now very slickly renovated old factory complex where Kaspars started Totaldobze … it was the familiar story of artists needing space to work and meet, it becoming a cultural hub, landlords putting up rent, commercial and service industries moving in. The redbrick buildings with their new external black iron staircases and gantries glowed with light from design concept showrooms, media offices, a spa and yoga workshop. We walked on. Kaspars told us of the frequent moves and shifting alliances of artists’ groups, of the internal politics and development of the city’s cultural policies, of the hopes and frustrations that are familiar to most urban artist-organisers.
Having eaten we compiled a list of pros and cons of being in a show that you are also organising. It was fascinating to go around the table and hear everyone’s thoughts. Of course the discussion was ranging … went off topic and came back … heard annoyances … recognised successes … wondered about the usefulness of making such evaluation. I am interested to return to these lists today … and to see what the next part of the workshop is.
For me the overarching question of the day concerned the motivations and intentions for being in a show that I organise – to be upfront, honest and clear about them … with myself and with the other artists in the show.
