The new participants got used to the Moldavian lifestyle quite quickly and soon we started to crackdown the soviet circus to get it all set to work and exhibit in there. We were hard at it for some days. However, the certainty of having to work in spaces that are contaminated with asbestos did not really speed up things, instead we started focusing on the second floor, as it was free of any remains of asbestos.
As soon as the basic cleaning was done, improvised working spaces were put up that generated a feeling of being in an office building. Surrounded by marble and massive windows we developed some first ideas.
The circus, rich in hidden rooms, niches and floors, invites one for detailed inquiries and “treasure quests”. Rich fragments and exciting leftovers of the long gone soviet circus were found.
Visiting events in the city enabled us to extend our networks in the local and international cultural scene. Moreover, it led us to project related and political discussions, which had a positive influence on our aesthetic background and inspired us in our first group projects.
Exploring the city is an aspiration of ours that we are trying to max out at all times.
The articles we found in the circus gave us new ideas for the forthcoming project in which the past, the development as well as the question of how the Moldovans relate to “their” circus shall be addressed. Part of it will be the approach to archive the original film material found in the former photography studio inside the circus, which unfortunately is completely destroyed by now. Among other things we found wiring- and architectural plans, advertising materials, everyday life objects and private things from the artists’ life.
Conversations between the people on the project are very helpful for the overall planning as well as the individual starting points. Furthermore, we are steadily working on and improving our ideas in cooperation with other artists and artist groups. Likewise it has called local artists attention, such as „Vjaceslav Duta“, 2 plus 2 and Valeriu Buev, who have presented us their work and also came up with additional ideas and thoughts about the exhibition.
Conversations between the people on the project are very helpful for the overall planning as well as the individual starting points. Furthermore, we are steadily working on and improving our ideas in cooperation with other artists and artist groups. Likewise it has called local artists attention, such as „Vejcislav Duta“, 2 plus 2 and Valeriu Buev, who have presented us their work and also came up with additional ideas and thoughts about the exhibition.
The invitation for the presentations of the workshops and projects had been handed out in person at the university that first of all assured that a considerable number of people turned up at the first presentation and second of all afforded the opportunity to socialise with people and make valuable contacts to the university.
Introducing the project “Synapses” to the Moldovan students gave us a nice opportunity to use the circus ring for the first time. In this two-hour event we presented our works as well as the workshops and projects that are coming forth. With real Moldovan sweets and “amber nectar” we achieved a perfect atmosphere and an intercultural exchange. And in the end the sign-up lists for workshops and projects were full!
Workshops and projects include working individually and workshop preparations with the participants
The workshops and projects address current and critical issues, but also those to do with the circus and the found material as well as the building itself. The projects and workshops will start during this week. On Tuesday the …
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