wip:sthlm International Artist Residency
Another full day in the studio. After two months here I feel as though I’m getting into my stride. Although I’ve been here since the beginning of August this is actually only my 23rd day in the studio. Other days have been spent in town, visiting museums and galleries, being away from Stockholm, spending time with friends. Why do I feel that I have to account for my time?!
Alex, Anneli (the studio director and the coordinator respectively) and I have started to plan the Open Studio at the end of the residency. With the end in sight perhaps it’s no wonder that I’m beginning to assess what I’ve achieved.
Notes and thoughts from the last week:
Wednesday; Opening at wip Konsthall, artist Märit Runsten, curator BjörnSpringfeldt.
I did say hello to Björn. I’m very glad that I did – he’s a really approachable, generous man. He took time to talk about the show and his interest in the artist, of course his English was brilliant. We also travelled some of the way home together and he chatted about the printer who made the huge prints in the show.
At one point during the opening Anneli drew everyone’s attention and introduced Björn who welcomed everyone to the exhibition and then spoke for a few minutes about Märit and the show. He then introduced Märit who said a few words and thanked everyone for coming. It’s not the sort of thing I’m used to in London. It made me think of all the openings I’ve been to and left without knowing who the artist is let alone the curator. I mean not getting to know who they are, or learning anything about the show I’m seeing – it’s very different to hear someone speak to reading a press release. I liked it – there’s something about accessibility and education in it. It made it all much more personal and approachable. It literally ‘opened’ the show.
Thursday; Investigating options to move here (!). Stockholm has a specific ‘unemployment’ office for cultural workers (artists, actors, writers, designers …). The staff are specialist in their fields do their best to find appropriate jobs and opportunities. AMAZING! If I am unemployed and move here I can claim my UK benefits and register with the Kultur Abetsförmedlingen for up to three months. I need to think about the implications of ‘signing-on’ on my return to London. My contract at UCA ended at the end of May although I’m still registered as self employed – can I claim income support if I can’t find teaching or gallery work? Can ‘income support’ be claimed anywhere in the EU, or is being unemployed different? I’m dreading working all that out – but it might be worth it if I can get help finding work here.
Thursday evening; Planning meeting with Alex and Anneli – Open Studio set for Wednesday 28 October …
Friday; great lunch and chat with Susanne Neuman (wip artist)
