9/23/2019
I am keeping a blog about my experiences traveling to Spain and Germany during the months of September through November 2019. In the Fall of 2018, I received two prestigious artist residency awards from my local arts councils. The first was The Can Serrat Artist Residency Award from the Ohio Art League as the top prize at the 2018 Fall Exhibition juried by Sophie Blais, the Director at Can Serrat, in El Bruc, Spain. The 2nd was the Greater Columbus Arts Council Dresden Artist Exchange Award. The Can Serrat Residency Award was to be for one month and the Dresden Residency Award was to be for two months! I am truly honored to be here in Can Serrat as a representative of the Ohio Art League. I am looking forward to do the same in less than a week for The Greater Columbus Arts Council in Dresden!
I have been at Can Serrat for nearly 3 weeks now and this experience has been truly unique! I wasn’t sure what to expect by coming here as this was my first residency experience. Fatima Taylor (OAL Creative Director) and I talked to Sophie Blais about the trip to get a better sense of the accommodations, expectations, and how the dynamics of the other people living in the house would work. I chose to come in September due to my work schedules and it would be convenient to travel to Dresden, Germany after. Sophie said that in September Can Serrat would be hosting more writers, musicians, and poets than visual artists. So she asked if I would prefer a different time. I stuck with September and I am glad I did!
My wife, Margarita, joined me for the first half of this residency. She was able to treat it as her own residency as well! Together, we got to meet some great people, eat awesome food, and see amazing places. We even celebrated our 2nd year wedding anniversary here by spending the day in Barcelona. She returned home on the 18th and I miss her dearly. I can’t wait to see her, my family, my cat, and my two dogs when I return home for Thanksgiving.
Upon our arrival, Anne Tone Lie picked us up from the airport in Barcelona. From there we drove about an hour north of the city to El Bruc and to the residency at Can Serrat. Anne is amazing! She shops and cooks dinner for 16+ every weeknight and we eat as a family! It is the best part of the day!
Our first excursion was a hike up Montserrat to a hikers cabin (refugee). 900m altitude, 14K, 25K steps, and 6hrs! A day or two later we made it Barcelona to gather our art supplies. We would make it to Barcelona 2 more times to see more sights and explore further. We visited MACBA, walked the Rambla and the Mercado de La Boqueria, walked the waterfront, visited La Sagrada Família, and visited other various small landmarks.
Our second hike up the mountain was the long hike to the Monastery at Montserrat. 800m elevation, 16K, and 5hrs later we made it to a small city on the side of the mountain with stunning views along the way. The monastery was very crowded with tourists all waiting to see the Black Madonna. It has a fabulous museum where we saw a few Dalí’s, a Carravagio, a Picasso, a Monet, and several other Barcelonan artists. Our other trip out-of-town was day trip to Sitges. Sitges is a small beach town on the Mediterranean about 1/2 hr south of Barcelona. It was a paradise! I wish we could have stayed longer.
The artwork I have made here as an artist in residence really has come naturally. I have made several small Inventory Studies which are small collages made with materials I have brought and some that I acquired while in Spain. I have used the printing press here to emboss the collages into the paper. I have also made many cyanotype prints. I am using the prints as source material for future pieces. The modern statues we saw at the Monastery also struck me. We purchased a poster of one those statues (Sant Jordi) as gift for my father-in-law. I ended up tracing the poster on vellum and then altering the drawing. I then cyanotyped-printed the drawing with other various collage elements. After washing and drying the print I added collage elements to the paper, as well as ink, and watercolor to enhance the colors. I named it Sant Serrat. I feel like this is a process that I can purse here and at the next residency. I do feel like a month at Can Serrat is not enough time to immerse myself into the imagery of this beautiful countryside, the Catalan culture, and the urban life of Barcelona. There seems to be an activity happening here everyday. The group often plans trips to Barcelona and other towns, hiking excursions, performances to witness, and events at the house. There are government holidays to observe (stores closed/limited bus schedule), dance & pool parties, and movie & Youtube breaks. So at times it was hard to bury myself in the studio without distractions. However, I would not trade these experiences for anything but I wish I could stay a little longer!
The people I have been living with at Can Serrat for the last 3 weeks really has been the best part of this experience! It has been interesting to learn about their craft and their life experiences! We have people from Columbia, Cuba, Canada, UK, Australia, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, Italy, France, and the US. Can Serrat has hosted some public events so the town is very involved with the residency. The administration at Can Serrat has even helped us put together a pop-up art exhibition at El Bruc City Hall! It was titled Exposició Col-lectiva. It really came together quite well! The 2 big hikes, cooking & eating meals together, collaboration on projects & performances, partying & relaxing, silent retreats, movie nights, and the pop-up exhibition has really helped us form a tight bond with each other. I will never forget these amazing people!
I would like to thank The Ohio Art League, Fatima Taylor, Sophia Blais, Sarah Goodchild Robb, Gina Teixidor, Anne Tone Lie, the other artists in residence at Can Serrat, my family, and amazing wife, Margarita, for her everyday support in this endeavor.
I have a few more days here at Can Serrat before I pack and departure to Dresden! I will make the most of it!
Adéu
9/30/2019
I safely arrived in Dresden Friday 9/27. It was a busy weekend!
It was a stressful morning before the flight to Frankfurt. I made it to my departure gate just in time!
The Thursday before I left, I spent the day & night in Barcelona. That way I did not have to leave El Bruc for the airport at 4am on Friday. The buses don’t begin to run until 6am… But it just so happened that a friend from fantasy football was traveling through Europe and also just happen to be traveling through Barcelona that same day! Andy and I communicated and arranged to share a hostel! I was able to give Andy a whirlwind tour of what I’ve seen of Barcelona. I took him to the beach, Camp Nou, The Rambla, La Sagrada Família, and Park Güell.
After a short flight Iduna Böhning met me at the airport and she showed me to my flat in the Nuestadt, explained the do’s & don’ts, and showed me the local points of interest. I met Dr. Phil. Martin Morgenstern. He and his family live above my flat and he is my immediate contact and ‘landlord’ during my stay. We went to dinner where we met up with Iduna’s husband, stepson, and friend from Switzerland, and my old college Professor, Fred Marsh. Fred had been in Dresden for the month of September after a 10-year-Dresden-hiatus.
On Saturday, I jumped on a Dresden Columbus Sister City Inc. tour to Mießen. It just so happened that a tour of Columbus residents were on a tour of Dresden! Dorit Fraztscher was the group leader and native of Mießand & Dresden. We toured the Meissen porcelain museum & collection. That was fascinating! Then we had an amazing lunch at Dorit’s parents house! They are lovely people. Dorit’s mother worked at the Meissen factory for 25 years! We then walked to the local wine festival and enjoyed the sights, smells, tastes, and sounds.
On Sunday, I met up with Fred again. We walked around the Altstadt. I purchased my Dresden museum pass. It was 50 Euros but it pays for itself after the 3rd museum entry and there are 15 different collections in the Dresden State Art Collection.
The Neustadt is a vibrant and young community. I am looking forward to spending the next 2 months here. I am slowing building the mental map of the city but having Google Maps and a paper map helps. I may be joining a hike with a local fellowship group this week. I am looking forward to visiting some local hike sites in Saxony such as, Frieberg, Königstein, Bastei und Felsenbühne Rathen, Bad Schandau mit Schrammsteinen, and Barockgarten Großsedlitz. I am looking forward to traveling to Leipzig to meet my artist friends Michael Hahn & Elizabeth Gerdeman. I will be tagging along with a new friend who is heading to Berlin in 2 weeks. Then I will be heading back to Berlin to meet up with a friend I made at the Can Serrat Artist Residency.
No rush to jump into the studio on this residency. Inspiration is certainly finding me and I have been actively searching. My proposal for this residency stated that I would explore the ideas of how natural events, such as glaciers, flooding, earthquakes, and volcanoes shaped the Dresden region much like the fire bombing of WWII and fall of the Berlin Wall. It’s a massive undertaking to do this research. But the good news I have the time and the support here in Dresden. I am also thinking about what I recently made in Can Serrat and how I can incorporate those ideas and processes.
I would like to thank all those who have helped me get comfortable in my new surroundings in Dresden. I’d also like to thank my wife and family for their support. A special thanks goes to The Greater Columbus Arts Council for selecting me for this once in a lifetime opportunity!
Dankeshön
10/15/19
Having been in Dresden for 2 + weeks now I feel like this is becoming a second home for to me. It is an easy city to live in as a foreigner. I have met some wonderful people who have helped me along my way here. Jenny O’brien, Stefan Brock, Steffan May, Johanna Seidel, Nico, Denise, Torsen Rommel, Antje, Max (from Leipzig), and Ocean (from Berlin hostel) just to name a few. I have made it a point to attend as many galleries and receptions as possible. I have marked my calendar so I don’t miss anything and to this date I have attended four receptions. Each time I meet make a new connection. Maybe in a way I am longing for creative connections. Much like the connections I recently made at Can Serrat.
Since my last blog entry I have visited The Zwinger Museum (Mathematisch & Physikalischer Salon), Pillnitz Palace & Park, The Landesbühnen Philoharmonisches, Germäldegalerie Alte Meister, Großer Garten, Zentralwerk, Berlin (Brandenburg Gate, Check Point Charlie, Gendermen Markt, Berlin Wall, Preußen Park), and Königstein, Bastie, and Kurort Rathen. I am looking forward to a return trip to Berlin next month and a visit to Leipzig to visit recent Saxon-Columbus visiting artist, Michael Hahn! Other places on my list are the five remaining museums in Dresden, Saxon State and University Library (Maya Codex), The KW (Berlin), Prague (Czech Republic), Freiburg, Bad Schandau, and possibly Wrocław (Poland).
I have settled into some studio work and spending a few hours a day there. Stefan B. showed me a local rummage & thrift store and I spent several hours there scouring for new materials for my studio work. After making several great finds I am now in the process of how to puzzle piece these images and objects together with what I have seen in person. Then to tie that into what I do best as an artist. I have had a few day hiatus from the studio due to traveling to Berlin and hike to Kurort Rathen. I am taking an additional day off to physically recover and to catch up on my emails, future travel research/plans, this blog, errands, and journaling. I am looking forward to the studio work ahead.
I have been participating in #inktober2019. That has really helped me focus on my life drawing skills. Capturing life in front of me in a 20-30 minute sitting. It has also helped me put where I have been in perspective. There is something extra special you take away from a setting when you spend time and attention with it. You can visit my Inktober drawings on my Instagram - @chzoneil12
As stated above I recently visited Berlin. Thank you to Jenny O’Brien for organizing this trip! I was only there roughly 28 hours but what a beautiful city! I also had my first hostel experience here! As I stated in my proposal when applying for this residency, I want to observe the German ingenuity and precision way of life. I am finding it hard to articulate what I have seen so far concerning that idea. In some facets of German life there is very strict guidelines, bureaucracy, and timetables but on the other hand there is some things they turn a blind eye too. Then there is a difference between Berlin, Dresden, and the countryside. This is something I can hopefully explain better in the journaling and studio work ahead. While in Berlin I was able to connect with Natalya Gimson, with whom I was at Can Serrat with, to have a coffee and to have a mini tour of the Eberwalder area.
The Kurort Rathen hike was very fulfilling! Stefan May was my guide and has become a good friend. We made a traveling error and we missed the Kurort Rathen stop. No worries. We just got off at the next village, which happens to also have Festung Königsten. We got to see the mountain fortress from the ground. Then we decided to walk the 1.5hour trail back to Kurort Rathen. After a beautiful walk back to original destination we made our way to the top of Bastei. We also visited Amselfall and Malerweg (The Painters Way). The recently weather has been prefect for this type of outdoor activity. We may not have much sunlight to speak of for the remainder of my time here. All in all we walked 14.5 miles and took 35,500 steps. I slept great that night!
I do have an announcement to make! On Sunday, November 17th I will be having a open studio and reception to publicly show my work. My studio is at Künstlerbund Dresden e.V. More info to come!
Thank you again to my wife and family for their continued support! Thank you to Iduna and Martin for making my stay as comfortable as possible. Thank you again to The Greater Columbus Arts Council for giving me this incredible opportunity. This will forever change my life! - Bis zum nächsten Mal!
10/30/2019
I am excited to announce that I will have a Open-Studio Exhibition on Sunday, November 17th at Künstlerbund Dresden e.V. during Offee-Ateliers 10a-6p.
Künstlerbund Dresden e.V. Hauptsraße 34 01097 Dresden
Columbus, Ohio based artist, Chaz O'Neil, interprets his visual experience of Dresden and Saxony, through the lens of his own studio practice. Aggregate Spectrum is a collage and mixed media installation that is created by the combination of several visual elements observed from baroque architecture, science, and contemporary German art.
For more information please visit www.offene-ateliers-dresden.de
11/17/2019
Today is my open studio exhibition! I am a bit nervous and excited at the same time. The culminations of my research and studio work here in Dresden are coming to a celebration and to a close. After today, I will have a week to pack studio materials and return the studio to its original condition. I also need to prepare my personal items for shipping and to travel back home. I am looking forward to a meeting with Kulturstiftung des Freistaat Sachsen with Iduna, Mr. Schiel and Dr. Frey next week. This organization is the GCAC counterpart in Saxony and is co-sponsoring my residency.
My studio work has largely been centered on collecting collage materials and interesting images that I came across during my time in Dresden and Saxony. I acquired posters, postcards, pamphlets, books, magazines, board games, stamps, various paper goods and toys. I then painted and spray-painted these items with various kinds of stencils. I then I began the task of cutting these items, by hand, in to two-inch squares. At this point in time, I had the idea of creating a large photo-collage mural of some kind. My initial idea was to create the mural on a large piece of paper, piece of wood, or canvas. I then had the idea to use the large wall in my studio as the ‘backdrop.’ I had to ask Torsten at Künstlerbund if it would be ok if I painted the wall. He gave me permission with the condition that I paint the wall back white afterwards. I was able to purchase paint with separate color tints to make the blues, reds, and greens in the final installation. During intermission times of cutting source materials I was making other various collages.
The subject of the larger mural piece came to me through several sources. In my initial proposal to GCAC I stated I would look to travel by train to the countryside and visit places like Bastei, River Elbe, and Fortress Königstein. I would be interested in learning more about how glaciers, rivers and lakes created the landscape. As far as the culture is concerned, I would enjoy knowing more about the German craftsmanship and efficiency. I have visited these and places but I was also struck by the Baroque architecture in Dresden. I was prepared for this as I stated in GCAC proposal. I believed the imagery of the bombed-out city ruins, from WWII, could also play a role in the new artwork. I see the connection in how major natural events, like a glacier, volcano, or earthquake can shape a landscape much a like a human-induced event like a major war can. Both the environment and the people who live there have the ability to rise from the ashes with new life. The city of Dresden is a perfect example of this history and why I was drawn to this residency.
I the third idea from my proposal was to visit the Kupferstich-Kabinett Studiensaal and view their vast collection of works on paper. It was there I reviewed Baroque diagrams and architectural studies along with other famous works by Manet, Kandinsky, and Mondrian. This planted the seed to take a closer look at the local architecture. Which was mostly destroyed and then rebuilt after after the war and the German unification.
I could now interpret these ‘two inch squares,’ which I have been laboring over as the new and old building blocks of the Dresden landmarks. The blocks contain images (both abstract and representational) of human emotion, industry, science, art, graffiti, politics, and architecture. I formed the three smaller collages into the silhouettes of stone Baroque sculptures. These are much like the ones in the studies I observed at Kupferstich-Kabinett and the ones that were re-created on top of the Zwinger Museum in Dresden. I also looked up old photographs of the WWII firebombing aftermath to get a look at the destruction of the churches. Those are interpreted in the installation with the two larger collages.
Artist Statement:
In my studio practice, I think of myself as a ‘problem maker,’ rather than ‘problem solver’. When searching for subjects and materials, I look at them through the scope of a grid or of a dissected diagram. Therefore, the concept of mapping finds its way into the artwork. The grid sets the rules and boundaries. I then find creative ways to stretch and break the rules with the given materials. Aggregate Spectrum is about combining several separate elements and materials that I have collected during my time in Dresden and reconfiguring them to an installation that reflects my appreciation of contemporary German art and historical Baroque architecture. Within the concept of Dresden architecture, there is a history of destruction and rebuilding. The chosen images in the collages are cropped and narrowed down. Together they form a spectrum of human emotions, thoughts, and actions that represent the building blocks of the physical forms on the wall.
In meiner Atelierpraxis sehe ich mich eher als "Problemmacher" denn als "Problemlöser". Bei der Suche nach Themen und Materialien betrachte ich diese im Rahmen eines Rasters oder eines zerlegten Diagramms. Das Konzept des Mappings hält also Einzug in das Kunstwerk. Das Raster legt die Regeln und Grenzen fest. Ich finde dann kreative Möglichkeiten, die Regeln mit den gegebenen Materialien zu strecken und zu brechen. Bei Aggregate Spectrum geht es darum, verschiedene Elemente und Materialien, die ich während meiner Zeit in Dresden gesammelt habe, zu kombinieren und zu einer Installation umzugestalten, die meine Wertschätzung der zeitgenössischen deutschen Kunst und der historischen Barockarchitektur widerspiegelt. Im Konzept der Dresdner Architektur gibt es eine Geschichte der Zerstörung und des Wiederaufbaus. Die ausgewählten Bilder in den Collagen werden beschnitten und eingegrenzt. Zusammen bilden sie ein Spektrum menschlicher Emotionen, Gedanken und Handlungen, welche die Bausteine der physischen Formen an der Wand darstellen.
Video of the making of Aggregate Spectrum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPiaPvMIIO8&list=PLXgi2B-XKJiQybvUdmv-738ZPcHOZb2UB
I would be lying if I said I had faith in this whole experience the entire time I have been in Dresden. In many instances I was out of my comfort zone and I doubted the work I was making in my studio. That is because I was in a foreign country where I do not speak the language or know all the local customs. I did not know the immediate resources that may have needed. I have had many hours of time alone with my own thoughts. That is where a journal, a sketchbook, and Netflix come in handy. I learned to adapt and to learn how to live alone for a long period of time in a new foreign city and culture. The personal connections I have made are invaluable. I don’t think I would have made it without them! I feel I have grown immensely during my 3 months abroad. I am optimistic about opportunities that these two residencies may bring my way in the future.
The creation of Aggregate Spectrum has taken many turns since its inception. I welcomed changes and edits as the project moved along and it was a pleasure to work with those who have helped me create it and to help me feel at home here in Dresden. I would like to thank The Greater Columbus Arts Council, Kulturstiftung des Freistaat Sachsen, Otterbein University, and Künstlerbund Dresden e.V. Most importantly, I would like to thank individuals such as, Iduna Böhning, Tortsen Rommel, Martin Morgenstern, Paul Eisenstein, Janice Glowski, Stefan May, Stefan Brock, Antje Friedrich, Alison Barret, The AA Team, my family & friends, and my wonderful wife, Margarita for all their continued support!
11/25/19
Today is my final day in Dresden. My European adventure is coming to an end. I wonder where the time has gone? Then I think back on all the amazing places I’ve seen, things I’ve experienced, artwork I’ve made, food I’ve eaten, and the relationships with the great people I’ve met and I marvel and appreciate everything.
Since my last post (before my open studio exhibition) I have had ample time to wind down the studio work and prepare the work for transporting home. I even sold a few works! I had to strike the installation and paint the wall back to white. Thank you to Tortsen and Antje at the Künstlerbund Dresden e.V. for my studio space and all their support!
On Wednesday I returned to Berlin. I hesitated about taking an impromptu trip on my own there. I knew I would kick myself if I did not return to Berlin and see the great museums and galleries that were at my fingertips. I visited the KW Institute, ME Collection & Wunderkammer Olbricht, Rasche Ripken Berlin, König Galerie, and Berlinische Galerie Museum für Moderne Kunst to see the 100 year Bauhaus exhibition. I had dinner at Bolte’s for a Berlin meatball sandwich. All was going perfectly until the realization that I purchased the wrong bus ticket back to Dresden with no alternatives (bus or train) back that late in the evening. So I had to collect myself, book a hostel, and a new bus ticket for the next morning.
I arrived to Dresden safely the next morning to prepare for my meeting with Kulturstiftung des Freistaat Sachsen with Iduna, Mr. Schiel and Dr. Frey. We had a great discussion about my experience and my residency overall. I showed them my video and they were very impressed. I am forever grateful for their support and partnership with the Greater Columbus Arts Council.
Also in the last two weeks, I’ve visited Moritzburg Castle and the Bundeswehr Military History Museum, and had a great meal at Café Raskolnikow. However, the best was my trip to Prague. Stefan M. and I took the 2hr bus ride and arrived about 930am. We took in a walking city tour of Old Town Hall, The Charles Bridge, Jewish Quarter, Prague Castle, Powder Tower, and National Theatre. We then visited the National Gallery. I was very impressed! We only paid for the permanent collection and still only made it through 2 floors. We had a little trouble finding a place to eat dinner. Everything was booked. Lana, our tour guide, earlier in the day told us about the Czech demeanor and customer service. It’s not so warm and friendly. Don’t take it personally! So we found a local restaurant that was empty. The man who was working didn’t seem to care. So we knew it had to be good! We had fresh deli meat, fried cheese, and roast duck with sides. Delicious! I had stopped for a Trdelnik earlier in the day. Trdelnik is like a cinnamon roll that is wood-fired baked on a stick. They coat in sugar and slide it off the stick. So it’s hollow. You can fill with ice cream and such. I saw this in Dresden during the Unification festival so I am glad I got to experience it. Lana did warn us about tourist traps and what to watch for. That was something I fell for. After doing some gift shopping we caught our bus back to Dresden. It was a late night due to the bus being stopped by boarder police for immigration check. All checked out and everyone was safe.
On Sunday, I attended my last AA Team Dresden meeting and had lunch with Jenny. I visited the Residenzschloss to see the renaissance collection. This would be my last visit to a Dresden museum with my annual pass. The 50 Euro was well worth it! My original plan was to see the Historic Green Vault. I did not have a time ticket reserved so I went to the renaissance collection instead. Breaking news! Last night the Historic Green Vault was victim of a planned jewelry heist! The story is all over the German news and over a billion Euros worth of jewels stolen. Now I wish I would have seen it! On my way back to my apartment I walked by the Künstlerbund and saw Tortsen outside. He was waiting on the police because the Künstlerbund was also robbed over the weekend! They stole a camera (I’m not sure what else) and they kicked in the door to my studio! The room was empty by this point.
That night I had planned for a small farewell party for the close friends I’ve made here in Dresden. Jenny, Nico, Stefan M, and Stefan B came out to play billiards and kicker and to say a last goodbye. I didn’t want the night to end. I was very sad to say goodbye to those I was fortunate enough to get to know over these past 2 months. We will stay in touch on social media and I hope to return to Dresden one day in the future.
In some ways I am not ready to leave…I should have taken the 3-month residency! In other ways, I am ready to come home to my wife, family, and mammals. The purpose of these residencies was to discover things I didn’t know about myself, learn about the culture, and to incorporate those ideas and feelings into the studio work. I am not sure if that was successful to the fullest extent. Time will tell with much reflection. I did make the experience my own and I feel I will leave Europe with no regrets. I do wonder how this experience will change me? Will it change how I think and perceive the world? Will it bring new opportunities? Will my studio practice be forever changed? Will I return one day? These are questions I look forward to answering in the future. Some will come quickly and some will come slowly. They will always materialize if I work towards them.
Wish me safe travels back home!
Auf Wiedersehen, Dresden. Sie werden uns fehlen!
