Colourful China – Madeleine Aleman’s recently works in Kunming
TCG Nordica-UP Gallery, Kunming, China
Opening: 2008/11/1, 20:00
Exhibition duration: 2008/11/1–11/22
Tel: 0086-871-4114962
Add:TCG Nordica, Xibalu 101#, Kunming, Yunnan.
www.tcgnordica.com
My experience as an A.I.R at TC/G Nordica in Kunming, China August – November 2008
It is a great adventure for me to be here in Kunming, which also is my first time in Asia. My intention of coming here was to put myself in a completely new context in purpose to change and grow. It took me about one month to “land†and get an everyday-life. Not knowing any Chinese even going to the shop to buy food is a trial: What is hidden in this beautiful package, beans, nuts or something else? I really appreciate not understanding though, it forces me to be present and communicate in other ways than with words.
I am happy that I am participating in Nordica’s program for residency in many ways: To immediately have good housing and a studio near other artists, to have a lot of nice people that helps me to get things I need, to be introduced to artists, visit their studios and be invited to exhibitions and all that with interpreter! Also to follow what’s going on at Nordica’s cultural centre and now, last but not least, have the opportunity to make an exhibition to share the outcome of the residency!
Actually I had about 2 months of intense work in the studio, since the first was “œlanding” and the last will be some travelling. The work from this period is diverse. Since I want to share my process I am not taking away pieces to make it look more coherent. I started with the “Kaleidoscope-paintings”, something I felt was easy, wanted to integrate China with Sweden, then the first idea leads to next and so on. I wanted to use all my new impressions, my minority clothes, paper cuts and Chinese characters.
I get inspired every day when I walk from my home to the studio on Xiba lu, now even called “My street”. This lovely throng of people playing, cooking, washing, working, nice smiles from old and young, children waving their hands and says: “Hello!”. Smells from food, the bakery, colours of fantastic plastic, vegetables and clothes. love Kunming!
Do you want to see more? Please visit my webpage: www.aleman.se
Thanks to all nice staff at Nordica, the lovely Kunming citizens and to you that visit my exhibition!
Special thanks to:
Luo Fei, for all interesting conversations about art, your lecture on Chinese contemporary art and that you took me to visit artists.
Tian Yao, for your help with so many different things, for interpreting, for bringing me on exhibition openings and other joyful events.
With love, Madeleine Aleman
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