UnPack and Print
Last November while waiting at an airport in Delhi, India I came to the conclusion that I was not a very good tourist. I’m more interested in watching people than interacting with them on a public level. However, I met amazing people on my adventures primarily because I always seem to be traveling alone. I’m certainly happiest when I am up to my elbows in ink; when I’m busy thinking about how to best express an idea in print than how to get from the airport to the guesthouse.
That said I seem to travel all the time and this past year-long sabbatical has enabled me to explore far reaching corners of the world from a former Soviet state, to a charming Belgium village, to the fascinating frenetic city of Kolkata India. (Many of you I saw along the way) Having worked in print shops as far south as Cape Town, South Africa (Hard Ground Printmakers) to as far north Aberdeen Scotland (Peacock Printmakers) my tenure as a printmaker has meant adapting to varied situations, working in exciting places and meeting fantastic people.
I thought it would be interesting to start a segment for this blog called “UnPack and Print” in hopes that we can share, places, antidotes, advice, and opportunities because I’m always up for a place where I can unpack my suitcase and get some ink under my nails.
Starting with my most resent residency experience and working backwards in installments here is the unofficial scoop.
Frans Masereel Graphics Center, Kasterlee, Belgium
April 20, 2008
Three weeks goes by quickly therefore if you have a residency come prepared. The Frans Masereel Centrum de Graphica is a Flemish state run organization and like the precision of the train system this place operates by the clock. In fact the electricity is on a timer and cuts off at 8:00 PM on the dot. The studios open at 8:00 AM, so if you are a late night worker this is not the residency for you. They provide facilities for screen, litho, intaglio and relief. The presses aren’t large but adequate (the web site provides the details in metric) The studios are all domes. Each artist’s accommodations are A-frames. (One of the other artists, a New Yorker, christened the 10 buildings the Smirf Village, incidentally, Smirfs are Belgian.)
I chose to work in screen because of access to a one-arm vacuum-printing table and due to the fact that I could come with printouts ready to expose and be printing by the 2nd or third day. They provided screens and inks. I purchased paper there but with the dollar in the dumps if you can bring your own do so.
Each artist gets his own A-Frame with living area, TV, drafting table, dinning area, kitchen and two bedrooms up stairs (so you can bring your children). The kitchen has all the appliances, 4 cups, 6 plates, 6 forks, etc. You will just need to provide all your groceries, spices, etc. (sometimes stables get passed down from previous residence)
People come and go all the time so there are staggered overlaps and the staff relies on this to help orient the “newbees”. In fact when I arrived a colleague from graduate school that I had not seen in many years was in the etching studio wiping an etching plate. (A shout out to Susan Campbell “Great to see you girl”.
I was hoping to meet lots of international artists, but almost everyone there during my stay was American. However there was this great Belgian art couple called “Cake House” and a fellow from Zimbabwe. They have housing for 10 artists but not all were occupies. There is a friendly staff although at times they seem over worked and you need to make sure you catch them when you see them for items you might need. They are government workers and leave at 4:00. The more self-sufficient you are the more work you will accomplish.
The three weeks is not exactly 21 days since you can only check in on a week day between 9-12 and 1:00-4:00 and you usually must check out on a Friday. Sometimes they can extend it if your cabin is not needed right away. You must leave your cabin clean or they will charge you to clean it!
Each artist is also given a bike with saddlebags and lock. The town is charming but rather uninteresting, Antwerp is a 45 min train ride, very inexpensive if you do a day return on the weekend. And public transport is easy but not well explained on the web site.
The studios are closed on Sundays but you can work in you’re A-frame, or take the train to Antwerp (a very groovy city) or explore the countryside on your bike. The break is really necessary especially if you have been really working hard. I was able to create about 68 prints in the time I was there. The Center takes a percentage of the work but they only took 4 works of mine so I felt it was more than an adequate exchange. There was also a 130-euro fee for housing etc. but that seemed minor in exchange for everything they offer.
Next installment CHHAP, Baroda India
Then to follow:
Anchor Graphics, Chicago, IL
Hardground Printmakers, Cape Town, South Africa
Peacock Printmakers, Aberdeen, Scotland
