FRINGES

Part of the TRANSPARENT CURTAINS SOFTEN THE LIGHT project

Alexander has a unique style of drawing and has developed a variety of characters through his work. He didn't used to come to the workshops very often, but when he did, he always brought lots of his drawings to share with us, and often gave some away. Inspired by one of his pieces, I embroidered a design on agrotextile, that I had found in a shop in Aknīste. Later, I learned that agrotextile is a common material used in this area. It's not very easy to embroider on, so this is the only piece I've done on it. I showed it to him, feeling a little nervous about whether he would like my interpretation of his work.  I think he was pleasantly surprised. He smiled, and when I asked him if he liked it and if he would approve of me exhibiting it alongside his original work, he happily said yes. When I thanked him, he gave me a hug. Aledander attended the closing event at the Garsene cultural centre. He was happy to see his drawing on display, took part in the performance, and danced with joy. We also took a nice photo together holding our works.

Lienīte used to come to the workshops regularly. She doesn't use verbal communication. During one movement exercise, we made cat noises, and from that day on, she started meowing  a lot- or so I think. She likes to draw. Whenever we provided her with art materials, she would paint with passion and expressiveness. Occasionally, we would remind her to change colours. During one workshop, we drew imaginary birds, and Lienīte made an abstract drawing that we kept in our ephemeral archive. I embroidered over it; I wanted to have a dialogue with her work and showed her the piece. She didn’t react much when she saw it. When I asked her if she remembered her drawing, she responded positively- or so I think. She didn’t answer my other questions in a way that I could fully understand. I hope she liked it. When I asked if I could take the piece with me, she allowed it. Her caretaker gave approval of me exhibiting it. Lienīte didn't attend the closing event at the Garsene cultural centre and didn't see our work on display. It's difficult for her caretakers to organise such trips. She’s unfamiliar with the place, and it would be challenging for her to ask for help, like going to the toilet. At the social care centre she knows the place well and moves around independently- quickly, too.

I couldn't remember who Valdis was, I had to ask my colleagues. Em'ma said she thought he only came to the workshops only once, sitting quietly next to Agris. Barbora thought he came twice, recalling that once he wanted to leave, but stayed and sang with us when we started playing the ukulele. He was in the workshop where we drew imaginary birds, we had a drawing with his name on it in our archive. I liked the drawing he did, using only yellow colour, and covering the whole page. I embroidered over it. I asked to meet him. He came to the meeting in a hurry, showing that he was anxious to leave, and I was afraid that he might be annoyed by my request. At least I remembered him when I saw him. I showed him the embroidered piece and asked him if he remembered the drawing. He didn't seem to, but he did recognise his signature. I asked him if he liked it and he replied that he liked that it was now tangible. When I asked him if he would approve of me exhibiting it, he said yes. Valdis didn't attend the closing event. He had told the caretakers that he was not that interested in the programme's activities.

Igor used to come to the workshops regularly, but suddenly stopped. We were told that he had injured his leg, making it difficult for him to continue. He speaks Russian and was able to communicate verbally with Yiannis and Linda, who also speak the language. He often smiled mysteriously. One day he suddenly got up and left the room in a hurry, only to return shortly afterwards with a packet of biscuits to share with everyone. In one of his drawings, which we had in our archive he had drawn something like a giant bird or a dinosaur. I embroidered over it. It took many hours because I wanted to fill in all the blue areas, not just the outline. I asked to meet him to show him the embroidered piece. He seemed happy to see me and his leg seemed better too. I showed him the embroidered piece and he looked at it with curiosity, also at the back. Yiannis helped us by translating. Igor said that he liked it and would approve of me exhibiting it. When I thanked him, he smiled and shook my hand. Igor didn't attend the closing event. I am not sure why. It could have been because of his injured leg. The caretakers told us that the mood of the residents is a bit low at this time of year, it's quite dark and cold outside and they are not so motivated to go out.

Agnese used to come to the workshops with her hair in two neat braids. She always sat quietly, slightly bent over, happy to join in the activities. Her friend, Kristiana often sought her attention and care, and she would respond to her with gentle affection. During one workshop, everyone lay down on a long sheet of paper while a partner traced the outline of their body. This exercise provided a life-size canvas that could be transformed into an imaginary garden. At first, Agnese found it difficult to draw because the paper was spread out on the floor. Orkun noticed her discomfort and brought a table from the next room so she could sit and work more comfortably. She began to draw eagerly, filling in the outline of her body with large blue flowers. I was impressed by the energetic movements of her hands. We kept the drawing in our archive. Inspired, I embroidered a piece of the same size. Later, I showed her both her original work and my piece. When I asked her if she remembered making it and whether she liked my embroidery, her face lit up. She remembered her work clearly and said she liked mine too. She happily approved of me exhibiting the two pieces together and tenderly caressed my hands. Agnese couldn't attend the closing event and didn't see our works on display. I was sad. We saw her the next day. As soon as she entered the workshop room she told us that she hadn't come because she had a problem with her eyes. I was impressed to understand that this event represented something important to her. I was happy to see that she was feeling better; she even had her nails coloured a pretty pink. Saying goodbye was not so easy.

Lienīte would often rush into the workshops with a smile on her face. There's something endearing about her, and the few missing teeth in the front make her even sweeter, I think. Lienīte lives in the psychoneurological hospital, and she's friends with Yiannis from the social care centre. According to Anda, Yiannis used to live in the hospital and that is how they met. Sometimes, Yiannis sends video messages to Lienīte through Anda, and she responds in kind. I really like the imaginary garden she has drawn inside the outline of her body - it's very expressive. That day, when I asked if she'd like to be photographed, she smiled and proudly showed the camera her palms, full of colours. I tried to make an embroidered piece inspired by her drawing, but I couldn't quite get it right and eventually gave up. I still have the photo. Lienīte attended the closing event at the Garsene cultural centre and was happy to take part in the performance. She also met Yiannis from the social care centre there. They came out very happy together in the group photo we took at the end of the evening.

Sasnusi Well Being Art Residency, Aknīste, Latvia, Oct- Dec 2024

The programme focuses on engaging with local vulnerable groups and welcomes artists who are keen to involve marginalised communities in the creative process

In cooperation with the Akniste Psychoneurological Hospital and the Akniste Health & Social Care Centre

Artists: Em'ma Pinoteau, Orkun Türkmen, Barbora Türkmen, Marianna Karava, Linda Krūmiņa

Programme assistant: Anda Lāce

Supported by Culture Moves Europe mobility programme