‘Being a guest’: artistic research in an unusual setting

To encourage and develop transdisciplinary research, Meaningful Artistic Research – a collaboration between HKU and the University of Humanistic Studies – invited various independent researchers to take part in a residency at a research location that was unusual, unexpected and, at times, uncomfortable for them. Emiel Elgersma produced a video report on what it meant for the residents to be guests somewhere as artistic researchers.

The residencies began out of a curiosity about the way in which a physical location influences artistic research. What knowledge, ideas and stories might emerge in specific places – and only in those places? Over the past few months, however, it became clear that the residencies were also about the process of being a guest somewhere. How can we work together to create an environment that feels inclusive and meaningful?

Researchers

Mischa Schijvens organised the linocut workshop ‘Seeds of Strength’ and depicted various roles and inner voices she experienced during her research, whilst James de Jong used LEGO to help the audience experience the building blocks of improvisation. Nina Goedegebure engaged in a conversation about what recovery means through embroidery, amidst photographs and diary extracts created by Nikki Ong whilst sitting under a weeping willow in Vondelpark. The foyer smelled delicious thanks to Christie Bitar’s stew, and people were invited to join her at the table to talk about the feeling of ‘home’. Jake Smit presented metaphors and poetry stemming from his research into chemsex and the search for meaning. Gonneke de Haan showcased work by respondents who depicted transformation and transience in relation to their own grief.

Meaningful Artistic Research

Meaningful Artistic Research (MAR) is a collaboration between Utrecht School of the Arts and the University of Humanistic Studies in the field of artistic research.