Kunst Symposium i Egypten

Kunst Symposium i Egypten

Lot Winther Studio

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Det har været en vild tur i de sidste par uger - først startede med et par dages fri i Stockholm og Uppsala, besøge en gammel ven og nyde den kølige, svenske natur - og derefter i Egypten.


Egypten var et vidunderligt eventyr. I sensommeren blev jeg udvalgt til at deltage i symposiet, hvilket gav mig en rejse til Egypten med 7 kunstnerkolleger fra Danmark og Egypten.
Formålet med programmet faciliteret af DEDI (Danish-Egyptian Dialogue Initiative) er at skabe dialog og udveksling mellem egyptere og danskere.
Vi startede i Kairo, fik en følelse af hinanden og en hel masse at se de første par dage i storbyen. Blandt andet en flok gallerier og udstillinger, møde kunstnere, lade sig inspirere af samtidskunstscenen, besøge en tegneseriefestival og blive positivt overvældet af mangfoldigheden af steder, mennesker og ting der.
Knap fordøjet det første indtryk af hovedstaden, som kun manede sult efter mere, hoppede vi på et tog gennem det storslåede land til Aswan. Det smukke ved at ankomme om natten er den overraskelse, du får den følgende morgen - min gud, jeg var overrasket. Og fredfyldt. Det var, som om den høje bys lyd var blevet erstattet med en lang lyd af stilhed. Det var, som om jeg var tilbage på landet, hvor jeg voksede op, og hele min indre proces virkelig kunne blomstre.
Vi ville tilbringe de næste 8 dage på et smukt hotel ved Nilen. At besøge de store templer Philae og Abu Simpel, sejle Nasser-søen ved Aswan-dæmningen - åh, og jeg prøvede endda mit bådcertifikat ved at sejle Nilen på en af vores mange ture mellem kulturelle sightseeing. Vi fik et grundigt indtryk af den nubiske kultur og fik indsigt i deres traditioner, håndværk og levevis. Jeg var forbløffet over den botaniske ø, hvor en af arbejderne ville give os en rundtur i vidunderne ved havens mange frø, blomster og mysterier. Alt i alt var jeg bare forbløffet over det åbne sind og følelsen af fællesskab blandt de lokale i Aswan, og hvordan de delte det med os. Uanset om det er kunsthåndværk, kaffelavning, musik, historier eller bare deres tid.

Lot Winther Art Symposium Egypt DEDI
Lot Winther Studio
It seemed like wherever I went, whomever I met would always encourage me to sit down, take time, and breathe. A few nights into our stay, we began to see thunder, and it was the first storm in 11 years - oddly enough, one of the themes for the symposium was water, and it was equally funny and tragic. It made no harm to us or where we stayed, but given Aswan is not at all used to storm, nor rain, it took quite the time to clean up the day after. There was flooding, and the storm had an effect on the scorpios, that were suddenly to be found in the city. We were a little paranoid, but also just surrendered to the effect of this weather. The day after with no water or electricity was a slow one, and it was nice with some peace and quiet. Everyone carried on with a joyous spirit. I always find it beautiful when we’re being humbled and come to some sort of surrender.
A couple of days after the storm, I met up with a local photographer, Mostafa, and was he good! We had a ton of fun shooting some paintings in the making and try out some of his ideas. We ended up spending the rest of day together along with one of my artist colleagues, partly in dialogue and play with a local family.
I will miss the open heart, mind and home here.
The last couple of days in Egypt, I spent in Cairo. Partly checking out the final touristy things - among the Sphinx and Pyramids, and wow! - partly chasing cheap art supplies and of course fingerrings in Zamalek. Clubbing, checking local markets, attending gallery openings, Mohamed Ali’s Palace, mosques and what not. I was as busy as Cairo itself!
Lot Winther Studio
Lot Winther Studio DEDI Art Symposium
Lot Winther Studio DEDI Art Symposium
Now, I’ve barely had time to digest this wonderful adventure, as I’m leaving for Costa Rica - but what an adventure. Not only did I get to see so much of the Egyptian art scene, I got new artist friends, that are ever so inspirational. I’m both thrilled and frustrated with the amount of inspiration from this trip - and especially the talents of my colleagues. I wish I had a time pocket to dig into and create everything they inspire me to. I share this with one of them, and she reassured me I have the rest of my life to live out whatever I’m inspired to. Thank you for that.
Lot Winther Studio creative process
On that note; better get started.
Lots and lots of light,
Lot
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