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LandArt '09 | A gesture
Artistic Residence | Day 26
All kind of languages, are essential for communication amongst two different people. JiuXian, is no exception. But we do communicate with the "local", the Chinese students and artists are always keen to help with translations, but often it is not enough, during these absences, the gesture language is everything; sometimes creating awkward situations.
With Sara Yan, stories like these are repeated, being of Chinese descent, it is frequent that people speak to her in Chinese. Sara tries to explain that she isn't Chinese and doesn't understand them, but because of her Chinese face, as hard as she tries, it is impossible not to speak Chinese!
Tim Madeira has used his sympathy and, through gesture, showing some locals how to use tools in a different and efficient way. Of course the result is, they look at him like he is a God who does wonders on everything he touches.
Rui Pinto Gonçalves, during the visit to the local school on the eighteenth day of this artist residence, was "obliged" to apply discipline to a child because due to class disturbances. He made him go stand in a corner for 1 minute, with his back to the class. All others, who did not understood this action, thought it was funny and promptly ran to the corner and do the same. Rui just stood alone by the black board looking at the empty desks.
Apart from these incidents, the work is flowing.
Sara Yan is “at war” with the wood varnishes for her second work "mudath", word that was created by the artist, meaning "place were you can lie down, feel and realize we are within nature". Her allergies haven’t been resisting the intense smells of varnish, so she coordinates, at a distance, some Chinese that are doing the job for her. Sara hopes that the smell goes away, if not, she will be the only one not able to enjoy her own work.
Marina Carvalho is coordinating two climbers who are preparing to place her new work, hanging on a rocky part of the mountain.
Filipa da Silveira took advantage of having finished her work, to help others, still having time for a town trip to have some body massage, and dedicate to paint some drawings.
Rui Pinto Gonçalves also has finished his work, missing only exterior details. He had no choice, but to have a massage as well!
Vasco Luz is running against the clock to have his work finished.
Tim Madeira finished his work and is debating with workers the issue of the foundations to rise up the work at the foot of the mountain.
Denis Piel and Michel Batlle continue their work, also in the final.
Today the group had a visit of two, 2 meters wide eagles. Magnificent!
