19
Nov
2009
More from the south
we have been painting – watercolors – a whole day and by and by the kids got into it, and even the teachers started to come by and give it a go that was nice, after all – it isn’t so easy to know if the things you suggest are appreciated, if you are standing in the classroom of a bunch of teenagers – they are talking zulu – or rather chanting, dancing, screaming zulu – and zooming in and out of the room – busying them selfs with various important tasks – I feel rather ignored but then they come up and smile and ask you: “when will we do this again”!
I started to paint & some of the kids saw it – they wanted me to teach them how to do that – I really have to think hard, because to me it is clear – you learn by doing, doing, doing, and then there is a little moment of support a teacher can give by asking the right question, or showing something, and then you continue – and you find out – not much can be teached really – you must incorporate – you want to know – you are craving to find out – what ever it is you are aiming for it needs all your attention and energy to satisfy – to make you feel like you are getting some where – you are understanding, changing, transforming – well – pathetic, but to me it seems like if I haven’t put myself into it, then the outcome will not surprise me – but that is what I want!
now I got myself into a real challenge – I observed, that the sewing-class doesn’t work out, the teacher is just putting the kids off by talking about patterns – that is a shame, because this is a skill that might come in really handy to these kids – from my point of view – some of them might love to make some clothes, one or the other might dream of getting into the world of fashion-design. just to be able to mend your clothes is helpful. this school is meant to support the kids from the surrounding townships teach them skills that will make them survive and find a way to move on & out of the total poverty so I will get my sewing-skills out of the back of my head & then let’s go – we will see what that does to my paintings -
I am starting on the african colors – I was so surprised to hear, that the architects, that are setting up the buildings on the school site said: africa has no color I see the opposite – amazing greens, because of the rain, red earth, blooming trees, occre hills in the back – and all changing in the very different light – today gray & damp – yesterday dry & bright – enormous sunsets & birds, bright yellow & another one red the next black & white with a splendid tail & no place without people – walking, sitting, squatting – carrying loads, searching & living in almost anything … anywhere…..
11
Nov
2009
Here we are… first week
first week
we get picked up & the journey in africa begins -staring out the window trying to explain to little one, why he shouldn’t wind down that window “it’s really hot mami” (I find it hard to find sensible words for that -) people everywhere; walking; sitting; working ; living on the street and then we chase through a supermarket – well garded – grab what ever I can think of, get a mobilephone connection – (we can only sell it to you, but we can’t register it – we are offline now – internet ??? – conditions taking me 10 years back
well, the on to “magagula hights” – more & more shabby housing along the roads, then only countryside, and finally – through a couple of fences we arrive at the ithuba skills college – caspar gets out of the car and into the group of playing kids from primary – he draws a lot of attention… I walk around and take in this fast growing, incredible place & I see people from Africa stranded in this poor surrounding getting introduced to europeans who love to share, to present & teach their ways, many ways, skills – that hopefully will give a chance to survive. I am very impressed – by the intelligent & caring headmaster – he deserves his name – myheart – & at the same time I recognise the few europeans that are around, including me, having the critical eye – seeing all the details that are not working – always knowing better – “that is africa” – I don’t know – I think it is the european mind straining for perfection, which can never be reached if you take in account that there is more than your idea – here some ideas have become real & then you see the difference between theory & life, and I guess it is a very good combination, the ideas have a space to be tried – and people who are thankful to try it, and just make it come alive.
the house we are staying in - all new – cute- still covered in a coat of dust – I manage to find some space in between the architecture where I can install the family – it turns out fine – now I still have to get some basic items for survival – there is a pot, a pan, 2 plates & some cups – that’s a start, it is a bit of a coordination with the timing to get to the fridge next door – ‘cos doors tend to be locked frequently… a teapot would be great & well…. I spare you the details, it’s just – it is about atleast 20 k’s to the next shop – so if you don’t have a car, you can’t just pop out to get the milk. (a specially if you are not sure about the local costumes of the “nogo’s for whities”…) I have to get used to being white….
28
Oct
2009
SOUTH AFRICA
so I am going to visit this place – and we will paint and work together – I am much looking forward to it
but now I am packing – trying to adjust the amount of what I want to take – comparing it with what I am aloud to take, and then sorting out what I am able to carry, or just keep under controll – as I am traveling with my 5 year old son – this defines a certan amount of toys and tools for him a load ful of books and his clothes.
after that I pack the materials and the painting equipment
then comes the computer and camera – sunscreen and toothbrush & the things you can’t transport in hand luggage – and here we go – stop -overload…
not to forget the shoes
I am still wondering if there is going to be a slight possibility for me to take at least a change of clothes alsong…
well – I guess this blogg is not going to contain any fotos of me…
17
Oct
2009
preparing for south africa
I am about to go to Johannesburg for 3 months time this is quite exciting, and here I want to post some fotos and tell about the experiance
and I hope to get some feedback and some ideas that will help the project along
I start to put down in words how I am slowly taking off…
Packing – all that is needed for painting – heavy – this will have to be reduced…
and painting with the kids – I want to take things there – it will take to long to find art supplys out nowhere
and the I need to find a mosquitonet & dont forget …
and then some interesting stuff for caspar – he wants to be entertained – well we just hope to find enough there
how much can I carry?
no clothes then! – well …
7
Sep
2009
another day over & deeper in debt…
there are day’s when I feel the 16 tons that have to be moved – for whatever reason – & I’m exhausted, but we all have to carry some of it & well … I feel better if I at least tried to carry my part on my own, and didn’t trick somebody else into doing it for me, & so here I am smiling again…
6
Sep
2009
back to normal
what is normal – I am home I get up in the morning I care for the family, then I hope to work in my studio and start some new paintings – after so much summer-time, this is going to be really relaxing – average timescedule – finally working!
30
Aug
2009
off – for the next white wash
I’m trying to get my things packed – tomorrow I’m off to a theatre-festival to white wash – this time for children – let”s see what they think about it…
the packing is a hassle – during the years I have become so reduced, that most of the time I end up having to buy so much – ‘cos it is gonna start raining & definitly lots of weather ahead… and allready so much parafenalia in the bags to entertain the 5-year-old…
another traveling day ahead…
28
Aug
2009
Who is …?
some of my paintings are going to be presented – on saturday – at an event concerning people who are recovering from an amputation – the paintings are sort of dreams – I was wathing acrobats and in this bodywork is so much speed and perfection, but you hardly see it, it’s more a feeling – I admire it because it makes me think this is only possible if you are complete and whole, but then I know acrobats personal, and they are just people with all the problems, and more – so there is this moment – in the air – where everything is perfect – and then you start all over again – it doesn’t last – but the dream excicts
but being a person means to just be a part of the whole – I think!
but sometimes we would like to be more independent – so we dream we are complete – maybe?
23
Aug
2009
as time goes by – about life
I just realised, that I am a day ahead – never mind – same thing is gonna happen tomorrow morning…. – on weekends mr. 5yearsold will stay in his pyjamas all the time – thats the new invention there – his parents dont mind!
the morning of the 28th – as allways we have to persude our 5 year old to get dressed & to brush his teeth & stop talking, asking all these questions about life the universe & everything – we are just trying to get out of that door….
today 26th – at the moment I am helping to restaur a installation – a piece of art, that consists of very crappy walls and doors – so we have to sand them and repaint them – it makes me wonder – here I am doing pretty dull work – but I will get a small payment, while I should stand in my studio and paint that picture I started, but that I then have to force out into the world and pay for people to look at – strange – where did I go wrong? ….
this one for today – august 25th
“Jesus didn’t come to get you into heaven. He came to bring heaven onto earth.”-Mike Slaughter
so the life in a community – at the chateau Monthelon where I just spent a months residency – where artist create – so much of the time is filled with surviving, and as the years go by I am more and more amazed about the work I have to invest to just keep my body in shape, healthy and rested, look after my loved ones and then – wow – if there still is time to think – for example this week there was a baby born, a suicide and an enormous transit of artist finishing their shows and storing their gear.
a baby born is a wonderful new life – a flower – a sucide is a life we could not support – it feels rotten to have been close and not have been able to hear – or give – or well it does make me think…
