I’ve just completed the second leg of the project to establish European Regions of Culture. After Poland I contacted the Higher Academy of Happiness and they thought it was a good time to get involved. They had specific concerns about my well-being – something to do with the Copernican Revolution and whether administrators or artists are at the centre of the cultural universe. But also because a lot of wishes formed at the event on the roof of the gallery during the meteor shower in Torun seemed to come back to the concept of well-being.
There’s been some recent research comparing European countries where the Finns scored the best on the absence of negative feelings. The project was based in Lapua in the old cartridge factory which has become a cultural centre for the community. There was an explosion where 40 people died. 35 of them were women. 60 children lost their mothers.
The given theme for this residency was cultural entrepreneurship. As a mover and shaker I took the Happiness Project there to see if it was possible to make happiness a Unique Selling Point. I inflated 1,200 balloons in the chapel. I had a Happiness Posse. Mothers entered their babies into a competition, with older people – including 5 who survived the explosion.
One contestant with a lot of scars was in the loading bay when the explosion happened. She had been given a watch that she put in a pocket over her heart that day. A bullet struck the watch and time stood still.
Voting is taking place this week.
I still have to edit the interviews. I want a piece of sound art that stands up as evidence-based research using art as inquiry and presentational knowing.
