Inside the box were chopped onions. A fan at the other end blew the onion scent into their eyes and a lamp illuminated their faces. The illuminated faces are like icons that laugh and cry and grimace. They represent and record a spectrum of false emotions.
The music (‘Casta Diva’ from Bellini’s opera ‘Norma’ sung by Maria Callas) is Norma’s outpouring of grief after betrayal. It is a technically difficult piece and demands talent from the singer to covey convincing emotional turmoil.
Atelje Clobb Residency
From 2013- 2014 I was artist in residence at Atelje Clobb, Škofja Loka, Slovenija. The residency was hosted by the local Zavod (or community organisation), Zavod O.
Clobb Artist Residency
I had a studio space at Clobb and worked there 7 days a week blending my artist residency work with the community studio and engagement work I opted to do.
I was inspired to undertake this residency to experience life in a rural context that was previously a part of the former Yugoslavia. The work that I made during this time was very experimental and responded to the wider context of the culture. Exploring different engagement, storytelling and narrative approaches instrumentally shaped the work I made during the residency and overall approach.
I remain friends with many of the artists and thinkers I met, lived with and collaborated with during this period.
Community Arts Studio
As part of my residency at Atelje Clobb, I devised and ran engagement programs for children, young adults and older learners, supported music nights and organised happenings and events.
I ran an art program for adults and weekly workshops with children and young adults at the studio. I also ran an engagement program for young people at the local gymnazia (secondary school) in order to recruit interest in the community arts program. I organised exhibitions in the local library and in local restaurants for the work that came out of the community arts programs.
During the summer I ran an Atelje Clobb stall each weekend where I sold local craft work and did face painting to raise money (and the profile of) Clobb studio and community programs.
