The workshop had no major thrust beyond providing a forum for artists’ cooperation and cultural exchanges. In a world characterized by strife and conflicts, the workshop provided a positive platform for South-South, North-North and North-South cooperations, which constituted a boon. Over 39 artists participated in the workshop. In the workshop I continued with an ongoing project of mine which deals with “memory”. In doing this, I collaborated with Jane Hunterova, a photographer from Czech Republic on an installation piece which was titled “Moments…Impressions…Reflections.” Find images attached. The highlight of the workshops was the working relationships that emerged as a result of collaborations between artists. The workshop also provided the enabling space for artists to discuss the practices in their individual countries. The most profound lesson I learnt is the fact that artists really connect despite their different cultural backgrounds. There were really no difficulties and challenges on a personal level but I really think that in terms of organization, the organizers would need to put more effort in their organization. This issue was raised at the end of the workshops where the organizers of the workshop had an open forum for criticism which I think was novel in itself. I also told the organizers that I felt there was a constraint of spaces which resulted in the compression or fitting of far too many works into smaller spaces. This did not present a very good picture of some of the artworks. The workshop provided an opportunity for networking and on a more personal level, an opportunity to gauge art practices in other climes. One come to the conclusion that that artists world over deal with common issues that affect their practice and this helps to shake off the idea that privileges come as result of one living in more advanced societies. Although this could give one some leverage, it does not necessarily translate to an advantage. I hope to build on the relationships forged during the workshop to move my practice forward
Grant Year : 2006
Profile :
Gender :
Mobility project
to attend the « International Artists Workshops and Cultural exchanges 2006 » organized by the Atelier Alexandria in partnership with the Department of the Fine and Applied Arts, University of Alexandria
Session
Type of Project
Departure : Lagos-Nigeria (West Africa)
Destination : Alexandria-Egypt (North Africa)