Beginning July 1, 2011 eighteen students from Russia, Columbia, Malaysia, Belarus, USA and Sweden arrived in Mariestad to participate in an intensive summer course called Shaping the City. Course lectures and discussions focused on Mariestad’s architectural and social history, geography, tourism, national identity, uses of public space, and socially engaged art practices. Students were asked to critically examine their role in the city while creating projects in or about Mariestad that use the themes of the course as inspiration. Their work was presented in an exhibition on July 21, 2011.
The course was led by artist Amanda Herman (USA) with assistance from Stadslabratoriet/CityArtLab director, Anna Viola Hallberg (SE). Celebrated artists from Sweden and abroad participated and led workshops. Mason Nye (NYC) worked with six students to paint a 45-meter long mural and Stewart Wilson (NYC) led a floating sculpture workshop for students and local residents.

The course is presented in collaboration with the following organizations: Valand School of Fine Arts in Gothenburg, Sweden, California College of the Arts in San Francisco, CA. USA, and Stadslabratoriet/CityArtLab in Mariestad, Sweden.

19.7.11

July 10

10 July 2011 

I had a nice rest and picked up some items that I needed for my project from Gothenburg. Anders, Johan and I, took a ride from Amanda. We picked up Mason Nye who had just arrived from NewYork.
We had a pleasant journey with a good chat in the rented car.
Back in Mariestad, Irina was making her performance in front of City Art Lab, a few of the fellow students were there to help guard. She was powdered in white, laying on the ground under the hot sun. Her face was covered with black fabric with a big black rose. She looked beautiful yet fragile and vulnerable to me. I was was worried by seeing such an image, a body on the ground, non protected.
At 18:00, Mason Nye started his perspective lecture and shared with us his commercial mural projects, from thematic to decorative, from public space to private property that he had done in the States. Mason's work was very impressive. Following Mason's talk, we had five student presentations. We started with Vita, Stephanie, Anders, Simone and Alex.
It was very nice and interesting to see the different types of presentations and the different focus of everyone's work.


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