A BIG FIRST!
What a busy few days it was.
Till now the words have barely found their way back to me. It's been two weeks since the first solo exhibition of my life opened. Shock, excitement and gratitude cannot describe the many deep feelings that have been stirring in me ever since. The days leading up to the opening were hectic, and everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong. The raw material I use has run out, it was not available, it did not dry, it was not good, it is not ready.
All of this forced me to think about the solution at full speed and push my limits, which I think has paid off. By the evening before the exhibition, everything was ready and he was packed in the car waiting for his trip to Charbon. I started in the office on Tuesday morning, my thoughts revolved around the finishing touches, which I could then put into practice in the afternoon. After some staring, calculating, and trying, the pictures fell into place, and I calmed down.
All my previous worries were gone. I was so proud of my work, it filled me with such a good feeling that they were in a public place, visible to others, that I was almost not even interested in the evening opening itself. As I entered the cafe's door after a quick run home and changed, I was surprised to find someone already waiting there. We quickly started talking and by 7 o'clock in the evening it was so full of Charbon people that it was hard to drop a pin. I was surrounded by admiration, hugs, kisses, loads of love, curiosity and attention. I tried to read the speech I had prepared with tears in my eyes, in a hushed voice, with a lump in my throat. I didn't even know where I was because of the emotion. The speech went something like this:
"Good night to everyone!
Thanks for joining us here at Charbon. Special thanks to Adam for the opportunity, as well as our guest DJ, Envo, and Patrik behind the camera, without whom this event would not be what it is today.
Tonight, let's create a space - together - that goes beyond aesthetics. This exhibition is a journey into the depths of human experience. A series that talks about the flexibility of the human spirit and testifies to the healing and dialogue-initiating power of creation.
Art has the incredible ability to bridge gaps and open doors to understanding. It serves as a language that transcends words, allowing us to express the unspeakable, embrace the unthinkable, and navigate the complexities of our emotions.
My hopes for tonight go beyond the visual nature of the works on the walls. Please, instead of guessing what they depict, immerse yourself in how each image makes you feel. Use this space to start conversations, share your own stories, and connect with others who have been on similar journeys. Family, friends, acquaintances and strangers: Thank you for being here!
"If you could express this in words, there would be no reason to paint". - Edward Hopper.”
Several people asked if I would say something about the content of the pictures, but neither the place nor the number of people would have allowed the topic to receive the necessary attention and intimacy, so the possibility of a discussion evening with a small number of people arose, of which the first since then also took place.
The experience report is coming soon! In the meantime, enjoy the short video below, which gives you the atmosphere of the day and an insight from the preparation to almost the end of the evening.
