Usually at the end of a residency period here at Listhus there is an "open house" - almost like a cross between an open studio and a curated exhibition.
Almost at the beginning of our time as a group here we discussed collaborating on a participatory intervention or performance as part of this.
Using the opportunity to work in an almost spontaneous way to engage with the community and raise questions about art in a humorous way.
Please Wait to be Seated was a "walk-thru" portrait factory facilitated by our collective which we named The Serendipitous Sisterhood. Menus were collected on arrival, choices were made (line drawings, water colour for example) and participants could choose payment method - sing the national anthem, teach an Icelandic word and so on. Raising questions about exchange value, ownership, authorship, commissioning were all there but lightened by our carefree manner, costumes and showtime element.
Example with menu
Participants would then be photographed with their portrait which they took with them, both photograph and portrait record and memory of the event.
Happy customers
An enjoyable was to spend an evening creating art, interacting with the locals - it is the first real engagement we have had - it is unfortunate it has come near the end of my time here. (Although admittedly I could have initiated something beforehand). Getting to know an area or a town is not just about places and landmarks or where the supermarket is but the people who make it.
Reflecting on this, an idea for the future which would be great to be involved in would be to create a longer term project within a community where the participants are not just invited to be part of one event but are part of the development and shaping of the event and have ownership and are part of a collaborative project.
Promotional material
And top picture, our beautiful sign by Lee Wansool, in English, Icelandic and Korean.
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