The Harbour Of My Heart Lies Empty
On September 27, 2008 artists from all over the world took part in this one-day art event. On this date they launched small ships or boats in various designs and materials into the sea.
Hereafter it was documented by photographs which were then uploaded to a webpage.
This gesture is to be seen as a commemoration of all sorrow and bereavement in the world of today.
”No matter whether it is war, natural disaster, or lack of love that causes this sense of disertion and sadness, it is universal and does not discriminate; therefore people around the world are united by this feeling.” –says Henrik Sandner (Denmark) who took the initiative to this event.
No one has ownership of this project. It is neither sponsored by companies nor cultural institutions. This project is instead based on individual artists who are unified in the creation of their collaborative work.
And as such, the project can be compared to the launched boats which are taken by the waves and thrown about by the mercy of the sea.
Landfill project
Landfillart is an international effort encompassing one-thousand-forty-one (1,041) artists to claim a piece of rusted metal garbage and create fine art. The project is created by Ken Marquis, Pennsylvania, USA
The 1,041 pieces of rusted metal are actually old automobile hub caps from the 1930’s through the 1970’s. Each hub cap, after being cleaned and primed, is affectionately called a “metal canvas.” Although most “metal canvases” have been transformed by the artist using oil or acrylic paint, some have been weaved on, glued or screwed or welded to, or made into fine sculpture.
(See also: www.landfillart.org)
Not a place to meet
"On the outskirts of Europe lies Greece, - on the outskirts of Greece lies Lesvos, -on the
outskirts of Lesbos lies Plomari;-on the outskirts of Plomari lies the coffee house "Elefteria" which means "Freedom". In this place 18 artists from 8 different countries will create an exhibition, titled "Not a place to Meet". The exhibition is organized by the 2 Danish artists Henrik Sandner and Michala Norup.
"This place has been chosen deliberately because we want to focus on some themes in art, which we believe are important," says Michala Norup. "It was important to us placing the exhibition on the outskirts of Europe. This place is so far off hte beaten track that you could say it is not a place to meet. On the border between Europe and The Middle East we would like to look both ways. Creating a cultural reflection;-down through history; - across the Aegean Sea towards The East; - back toward the center of Europe, and further North. "
The exhibition is an artist-run project and is not supported by cultural institutions or sponsors. Therefore, it is perhaps appropriate that the exhibition takes place in “Eleferia”, meaning "Freedom". "You can choose to see it as a comment to the strong commercial and competition-oriented influence, which often takes place in the art and culture world. I think it's important that artists are able to take matters into their own hands, and express their independence if art should not "drown" in all sorts of other agendas, "says Henrik Sandner.
"Elefteria" is a traditional Greek "cafenion" (coffee house) where the men of the neighborhood spend their time drinking coffee, playing backgammon, reading newspapers, and drinking ouzo. But the place has also, in recent years, become the meeting point for various local and foreign artists who come to discuss art and music. The owners have therefore received this exhibition project with open arms, and have given the artists free rein to take the cafenion in possession. During the course of the exhibition there will be musical and gastronomic “surprises”making a visit to Elefteria worth a visit. The exhibition runs from 19th. To 25th. September. It is open every day from 9:30 to 1:00.
Fact box:
Exhibition title: “Not a place to meet”
Date: 19th-25th Sept. 2011
Where: The city of Plomari on Lesvos in Greece
What: Art exhibition.
Who: 18 artists from 8 different countries.
Arranged by: The Danish artists Michala Norup and Henrik Sandner.
Participating artists: Søren Taaning (DK), Maria Ikonomopoulou (GR), Asta von Unger (DE), Liz Kane (IE), Fredrik Weerasinghe (SE), Parul Modha (UK), Sophie Hjerl (DK), Henrik Sandner (DK), Michala Norup (DK), Simon Grimm (DK), Tomas Lagermand Lundme (DK), Adi Weizmann (IL), Ayal Shifron (IL), Iris Fridriksdottir (IS), Steinun Helga Sigurdsdottir (IS), Mikkel Niemann (DK), Lotte Leth (DK) Emiel van Straalen (NL) Ina A Mance (DK).
Moving the voices of prayer
Project Intimate Art Affairs, "Moving the voices of prayer" Opening Oct 26 2007. Western
Wall and Temple Mount, Jerusalem, Israel. No admittance.
As follow-up on the installation project "Voices of Democracy" (Sept 2007, Plomari, Greece) The artists Michala Norup (DK) and Henrik Sandner (DK) presented a new installation project simultaneously at the Western Wall and the Temple Mount. Just as "Voices of Democracy" it was a closed event which only exists in the form of documentation.
"Our method being that we only use given objects. -We neither add nor subtract things. The artistic process only evolves within the frame of arranging and documenting a given place or space" -Michala Norup says.
We have deliberately chosen this place, seen as the symbolic fountain of all religious endeavours. Just like religion itself the placing of the chairs are mystic rituals that extract a (possible) meaning from the place itself.
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