Week 23

26/3 Monday
Bridge still standing, but is all well?

There is house in the shadow.

27/3 Tuesday
Bridge still standing, but is all well?

There is a house
In the morning shadow
Of the beloved Basilica
On the bank
Of the Danube

28/3 Wednesday
Bridge still standing, but is all well?

There a house
In the noon shadow
Of the beloved bridge
On the border
Of Slovakia and Hungary

29/3 Thursday
Bridge still standing, but is all well?

There is a house
In the evening shadow
Of beloved Sturovo
On the edge
Of the town

30/3 Friday
Bridge still standing, but is all well?

There is house in the shadow
There is a shadow...

31/3 Saturday
Bridge still standing, but is all well?

Preparations are underway for an exhibition that attempts to expose and name the shadow in the hope to change the shadow just a bit for the benefit of the occupants of the house(s) in the shadow.

The longer I am here, the more I observe disturbing symptoms of xenophobia. The longer I am here, the more I realise what is really going on. The longer I am here, the more it is becoming a challenge to feel safe. The longer I am here the more I question if I should choose safety first.

To do the exhibition properly and honestly I need to address issues of xenophobia and discrimination in this community, this country, these cultures. I am still assessing weather it is safe to speak out or not. I feel intimidated by attitudes and mindsets of some people. Some advise me to leave, or stay but remain silent and not speak my mind, be it in words or using visual language. But if an artist has to sensor him(her) self, then what is the point of being an artist(-in-residence), if only pretty pictures are of interest to the community then what is the point of being an artist(-in-residence)? If viewers do not really want to observe then what is the point of putting an exhibition together? If it is undesirable to observe, witness and address the barriers that require bridging then what is the point of observing the existing bridge?

1/4 Sunday
Bridge still standing, but is all well?

Week 22

This week images were taken in Budapest earlier this winter of an old busker. He was trying to play a citer in the freezing cold while mumbling a song. Fascinating to watch but rather sad really. Made me wonder what kind of life the man had. I asked for his name, but he was not interested in a conversation of any kind.

19/3 Monday
All is well, bridge still standing

20/3 Tuesday
All is well, bridge still standing.

21/3 Wednesday
All is well, bridge still standing.

22/3 Thursday
All is well, bridge still standing.

23/3 Friday
All is well, bridge still standing.

24/3 Saturday
All is well, bridge still standing.
-organised a folk dance night at the Bridge Guard House. 25 people said they would come, prepared food etc. 5 actually showed up, do I need to say more. Thank God people visiting from Budapest walked by, were curious and joined in so we could actually make a circle of 8. It’s tough building bridges in this town. So, I just keep working with the children. My own work is on hold till I get my new laptop and camera next week. Laptop is overloaded and camera died a peaceful death.

In the afternoon two locals who migrated to new Zealand came by. The word had gotten out to them in Auckland that there was a Kiwi in town. People seem to be talking about me alright (and gossiping) but not to me of course... I had a write up in a Hungarian news paper today as well. Quiet a happening day! I did Google search for fun and discovered that my name is mentioned on a few sites in Hungarian, no idea what they are saying or where they got their information from.

25/3 Sunday
All is well, bridge still standing.
-Keen to have a cinema experience I went to see ‘Dream Girls” out of desperation in the local cinema. Would have preferred to see Astrix and Obelix earlier in the week, but that was dubbed in Czech.

Week 21

More images this week from Carnival in Maastricht. The short video about the event is ready. To view click here.It amazes me how people use language to put up barriers rather than to build bridges. It is a problem in many countries where multiple languages are spoken. It is also a problem in single language areas. People in Maastricht for example speak a very distinct local dialect that is not easy to understand for people from other areas like me. Many times remarks were made in a complaint like manner about the fact that I did not speak thelocal dialect and that I was not a local. When I told the people I was from New Zealand (in Dutch) their attitude changed and they were more friendly and accepting. If I’d said I was from another part of The Netherlands their attitude would not have changed. The fact that this happens even with dialects may be an indication that people will look for any excuse to throw up barriers based on origin.

In Slovakia people often emphasise the fact that I cannot speak the local language(s) and focus on that fact rather than finding out which language we have in common so we can communicate and connect.

I travel much globally, have lived on different continents and mastered various accents of Dutch and English (I was very good at Irish!) Where ever I go I will always be identified as ‘being from somewhere else’ because of how I speak. In New Zealand I have a 'Dutch' accent, in the USA a 'New Zealand' accent, in Australia they often think I am 'South African' and in The Netherlands they can’t quite figure out what is different in my way of speaking. So I have given up on trying to fit in by adopting local ways of speaking. It is more important for me to be authentic than to conform.

I had made a hand puppet as part of my costume for carnival, which came in very handy as a mediator. I used the puppet to mime and make contact with people, avoiding the whole language issue. I flirted and people responded readily. My origin was no longer an issue. Many were happy to have their photo taken. My dear puppet was my bridge to overcome language barriers. I was accepted as on of them. Not that I cared much about acceptance. Connecting with the essence of carnival was more important for me. My puppet ‘Dukkie’ had a tough time in Maastricht. It lost its tongue (it rolled out like a lizards tongue), lost its voice, and even an eye. But we had great fun together and fooled many locals about our origin (hehe!). Art with a big ’A’ or a small one is such a fantastic medium to bridge cultural differences.
5/3 Monday
All is well, bridge still standing
-bored kids knocking on my door.


6/3 Tuesday
All is well, bridge still standing.
-bored kids knocking on my door.


7/3 Wednesday
All is not so well, bridge still standing.
-but two girls from across the road ended up in hospital. They played with drugs as they were bored. It is school holidays and 40 kids were left to their own devices. No wonder they got into mischief. Of course they are being punished for their behaviour, such as you can’t go to the art studio this week, but who should be held accountable for their deeds, after all they are kids. What they did was not very smart, but there is no point punishing ignorance. The adults should have known better and could have provided appropriate activities keep them meaningfully occupied and out of trouble.


8/3 Thursday
All is well, bridge still standing.
-bored kids knocking on my door.


9/3 Friday
All is well, bridge still standing.
-girls out of hospital.


10/3 Saturday
All is well, bridge still standing.
-ahhhhhh, spring weather, was able to work outdoors today in the sun, warm sun! After 2 winters in a row a welcome change (yes t-w-o winters!). They may have been mild, but still dull, grey and lacking daylight and SUN!


11/3 Sunday
All is well, bridge still standing.

Week 20

More images this week from Carnival in Maastricht. The short video 'Daar Komen Ze' about carnival is ready. To view click here.



It amazes me how people use language to put up barriers rather than to build bridges. It is a problem in many countries where multiple languages are spoken. It is also a problem in single language areas. People in Maastricht for example speak a very distinct local dialect that is not easy to understand for people from other areas like me. Many times remarks were made in a complaint like manner about the fact that I did not speak the local dialect and that I was not a local. When I told the people I was from New Zealand (in Dutch) their attitude changed and they were more friendly and accepting. If I’d said I was from another part of The Netherlands their attitude would not have changed. The fact that this happens even with dialects may be an indication that people will look for any excuse to throw up barriers based on origin.

In Slovakia people often emphasise the fact that I cannot speak the local language(s) and focus on that fact rather than finding out which language we have in common so we can communicate and connect. In New Zealand I have a Dutch accent, in the USA a New Zealand accent, in Australia they think I am South African and in The Netherlands they can’t quite figure out what is the matter with me. So I have given up on trying to fit in by adopting local ways of speaking. It is more important for me to be authentic than to conform.

I had made a hand puppet as part of my costume for carnival, which came in very handy as a mediator. I used the puppet to mime and make contact with people, avoiding the whole language issue. I flirted and people responded readily. My origin was no longer an issue. Many were happy to have their photo taken. My dear puppet was my bridge to overcome language barriers. I was accepted as on of them. Not that I cared much about acceptance. Connecting with the essence of carnival was more important for me. My puppet ‘Dukkie’ had a tough time in Maastricht. It lost its tongue (it rolled out like a lizards tongue), lost its voice, and even an eye. But we had great fun together and fooled many locals about our origin (hehe!). Art with a big ’A’ or a small one is such a fantastic medium to bridge cultural differences.



5/3 Monday
All is well, bridge still standing
-bored kids knocking on my door.



6/3 Tuesday
All is well, bridge still standing.
-bored kids knocking on my door.



7/3 Wednesday
All is not so well, bridge still standing.
-but two girls from across the road ended up in hospital. They played with drugs as they were bored. It is school holidays and 40 kids were left to their own devices. No wonder they got into mischief. Of course they are being punished for their behaviour, such as you can’t go to the art studio this week, but who should be held accountable for their deeds, after all they are kids. What they did was not very smart, but there is no point punishing ignorance. I travel much globally, have lived on different continents and mastered various accents of Dutch and English (I was very good at Irish!) Where ever I go I will always be identified as ‘being from somewhere else’ because of how I speak.
The adults should have known better and could have provided appropriate activities keep them meaningfully occupied and out of trouble.



8/3 Thursday
All is well, bridge still standing.
-bored kids knocking on my door.



9/3 Friday
All is well, bridge still standing.
-girls out of hospital.



10/3 Saturday
All is well, bridge still standing.
-ahhhhhh, spring weather, was able to work outdoors today in the sun, warm sun! After 2 winters in a row a welcome change (yes t-w-o winters!). They may have been mild, but still dull, grey and lacking daylight and SUN!



11/3 Sunday
All is well, bridge still standing.

Week 19

This week’s images are from Carnival in Maastricht. I cannot help myself and begin with publishing a series of out of focus or moving images. I like such images as they trigger a process of projection (imagination) in the viewer.

I took about 500 photos and filmed only 4 hours as my video camera died half way through. I was lucky to film 'Prince Carnival' on numerous occasions before the camera died. I came specifically to film him because I am researching the king archetype. Prince carnival plays the symbolic role of a prince (king), as the ‘mock' prince of the city during the festivities. This research is for a video documentary I am currently working on.

Video still: Maastricht Carnival

26/2 Monday
All is well, but no observation, still away.
-The last time I celebrated carnival in Maastricht was 20 years ago. I had a great time then. This time was no different. In fact I thought that the celebrations had grown in strength.

Video still: Maastricht Carnival

27/2 Tuesday
All is well, bridge still standing.
- The weather was much warmer than average making the outdoor celebrations at night a joy as I did not feel cold at all. The number of Dutch style brass bands and Brazilian style batucada bands playing every day in the streets had increased.

Video still: Maastricht Carnival

28/2 Wednesday
All is well, bridge still standing.
- At night I guess 99.9% of the people celebrating were fully costumed in the most amazing homemade outfits with often matching painted faces.

Video still: Maastricht Carnival

1/3 Thursday
All is well, bridge still standing.
- Many more people carried out ‘acts’ or played roles for the 3 days, making the streets a simple but fun theatre.

Video still: Maastricht Carnival

2/3 Friday
All is well, bridge still standing.
- What was rather new compared to 20 years ago that many people had decorated and fabricated carts of all sorts that were related to whatever they were expressing and dragged them every night through the crowded streets without any problem.

Video still: Maastricht Carnival

3/3 Saturday
All is well, bridge still standing.
-The weather was so unseasonably warm that one could stay outdoors all night without getting cold. It is the outdoor carnival that is so wonderfully unique in Maastricht.

Video still: Maastricht Carnival

4/3 Sunday
All is well, bridge still standing.
-It all starts on Sunday around midday and ends on Tuesday exactly at midnight, as that is when Lent officially starts.

For more images and text click here to go to my personal blog and look for the post titled 'Joy' (posted 7 March).