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?