Well the last few days have gone so quickly! This picture is from one of our many meals together. The Emmaus Centre did us proud with all the beautifully presented tasty meals. From smoked salmon to danish apple cake...I don't know how i'll go back to beans on toast!
It's been a thought provoking and enriching week with interesting talks from Murray Watts, writer and founder of the Wayfarer Trust. 'Openspace' is the sister conference to the Wayfarer conference at Lee Abbey in Devon. www:wayfarertrust.com
It was a delight to meet artists from Denmark, Norway, America, Canada, Scotland and England. There was a mix of backgrounds and practices and the workshops reflected this. I participated in the 'Land Art' workshop facilitated by Monique Sleidrecht. We looked at land artist Andy Goldsworthy, which was a treat for me as he's one of my favourite site specific sculpture artists. To have a look at his work use this link:
I got the chance to have a go myself which was great. I found working in nature to repeat patterns and shapes very meditative and peaceful.
Green leaves swirled on a cold ash bonfire
We had evening performances from various musican, but my favourite was from a Danish couple Astrid and Peter Rasmussen called 'Binocular Visions'. They used electronic keyboards, drum and synthesisers to distort sound and make unique tracks.
To listen to some samples of music: http://binocularvision.bandcamp.com/releases
I had the privaledge to interview a variety of artist relating to my fellowship project. I interviewed Hanna Nilsen Nugard, Leah Robb, and Leah Samuelson. They all work in different areas of community arts.
Hanna is a Norwegian freelance documentary maker. At the conference she showed a film about he two grandfathers. It was fascinating to hear about her process of recording the film, and the way taking time to listen to their lifestory enriched their relationship
.
Hanna Nilsen Nygard
Leah Robb is political painter in Denmark and an activities coordinator in Edinburgh, Scotland. She spends her time between these two countries. The care home where she works in Scotland lets her use her creative gifts to enrich the lives of elderly residents.
Leah Robb
Leah Samuelson is the Instructor of Art at Wheaton College in Chicago. She has worked with community groups on mural projects and spoke to me about the way a community arts project can change the people who take part in it. She reflected that people have a pride and sense of achievement when they create a space in community.
As you can imagine, I came away from the conference with ideas buzzing around my head. Chatting with the three diverse arts brought up lots of questions, particularly around the way we record people's responses to projects, the ethical considerations of filming lifestories especially and the importance of displaying work in care homes in a way that enriches the lives of older people, and doesn't just tick a box for the inspection report.
I am now back at Hannah and Fred's in Copenhagen planning the next leg of the journey. I am visiting the holiday home of Dorthe and Elli Kappelgaard, the organisers of 'Openspace', to chat to them about their artistic practice and community arts projects. Their house is located on a small island forty minutes outside of Copenhagen and the weather is beautiful.
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