(Im)perfectly Improvised

What happens when you give 17 people the exact same task? You get 12 different answers! Yet another reminder of how to (im)perfectly improvise when working with a group of individuals.

From November 20th to 23rd, the Sculpture Network team spent three intense days at Insel Hombroich updating each other, exchanging ideas, and collaborating on future projects. Curious to find out what these plans are? Then join our general meeting (Thursday, December 4th at 8 pm). Want to relive our art tour on Saturday afternoon and learn more about imperfect improvisation? Then read on!

 

Since I didn’t want to write just another meeting report full of numbers and figures, I thought it would be clever—and a bit creative—to write a small note to all 17 participants of our team meeting.

So I wrote:
"Dear Julia,
Here’s a small challenge for this afternoon:

1. Find your favourite artwork.
2. Take a selfie with it (make sure you feel comfortable with the photo; I will use it for my article).
3. Send me the picture.
4. Tell me why you chose that particular artwork.

Thanks!
Elisabeth"

 

Reflecting on our time working together, it was no surprise that, of course, not everyone sent me a picture—let alone interpreted the task the way I had imagined. Nevertheless, here is a wonderful and (im)perfect collection of different works and perspectives on art within our team.

Enjoy!

 

Anemone Vostell, board member and coordinator in Berlin:

"I like this architectural sculpture by Heerich because it connects with nature outdoors, here with the play of shadows from a tree in the winter evening light."

 

Frank Nordiek, coordinator in Hanover:

"I enjoy encountering all these sculptures made of steel, marble, and old Dutch brick. As for me, I prefer to stay with nature."

 

Susanne Ahrenkiel, coordinator in Denmark:

"Identification, mirror no mercy."

 

Helmut Pütz, consultant of organisation affairs:

"The photo was taken through a suitcase with holes. The hole-ridden suitcase reminds me of my constant fear of forgetting something while packing. And I always pack at the very last minute!"

 

Robert Prins, head chef on a secret mission:

"Dreaming of belonging to a group of diverse and special sculptors but found myself amongst a set of uniform sculptures."

 

Hilde van Canneyt, coordinator in Belgium:

"The reason I chose these three monochromes was because the sculptures in the museum were either very abstract or looked very much like Buddhas! 😉 I suspect they were by a contemporary artist, inspired by Per Kirkeby. Voilà, mission accomplished! ;)"

 

Natasha Bergmann, curatorial board member:

(lets the work speak for itself)

 

Kris Demuelenaere, assistant to the board:

"The works of Hans Arp inspire me because he lets change and randomness be part of his creations of forms that reflect perfect equilibrium."

 

Yke Prins, board member:

"This small exhibition space built in the old English garden took me by surprise because the heads were so quietly standing facing the water surface of the pond. The sculptures were out of place, because they were Cambodian but also in place, reflecting the quiet natural environment of an English garden in Germany."

 

Ien van Wierst, coordinator in Mallorca:

"It made me laugh! All is one. 😊"

 

Ilaria Specos, project manager:

"Text will follow tomorrow." (She was just too busy caring for all the little Sculpture Network birds on our trip).

 

Laure Debouttiere, curatorial board member:

"My favorite artwork is life itself. My selfie is a piece of DNA."

 

Elisabeth Pilhofer, newsletter editor:

"I just love blue. This colour pulls me in, no matter if it’s art or a dress or the ocean."

 

Thank you to the whole team for three perfectly improvised days!