Nature sculpture 2015
Report from day 1, Saturday 29 August
This year, we have 8 deafblind people - 5 Norwegian and 3 Swedish with staff and companions. We have two completely new course participants with new staff this year - so it will probably be a pleasant acquaintance. With all hands on deck, there are 40 of us with hosts and cooks.
After breakfast, course host Kari Fretheim welcomed the participants and introduced them. There is one participant who has been with us all 16 years. Then the artists were given the floor. This year we have Martin Mölholm, Peder Istad, Reidar Martin Steigen, Sara-Lo af Egenstam and Joe Gibson. Kari Schjøll Brede, Aashild Klopan and Kari Fretheim represent Eikholt.
We had a nice memorial service for Magnus. He died earlier this year. Kari Schjøll Brede read some nice words about him.
Then it was time to get out into the beautiful autumn weather. Everyone met at the "magic tree". Here, Peder explained what the tasks will be this week. The main project will be: Many small stones will be moulded into a face and these stones will be attached to a large stone. Perhaps it will be called "face", but we will also create a new path, which must be cleared of twigs and trees - then add lots of gravel and sand. We need to make sure that this path is also suitable for wheelchair users!
After sawing down this year's tree - some went straight to the smithy, some started working with stone or toiling, but suddenly it was 1200 and it was lunchtime.
At 1300 it was time for work again. The staff was divided into two groups. Joe Gibson had a professional presentation for both groups. He talked about why it is important and right to have meaningful activities and art for people with deafblindness. Those who were free went out with their course participants to continue the activities. Everyone turned up and had a great afternoon session.
Over coffee at 1500, we then had a review to hear how everyone had enjoyed the first day of the course. Conclusion: Everyone is well underway and in good spirits. Many also recognise themselves - they have the same cabin year after year, know the smell of the forge and the smoke from the coffee fire. Kari S. Brede reviews the signs of the day. Today we learnt the signs for wood, sawing down wood, forging and stone, rolling a wheelbarrow and pouring out sand. We will use these signs and then get new signs tomorrow.
After dinner tonight, there will be a joint gathering in the Grill House "get-to-know-you evening" with the lighting of a fire, sharing observations, thoughts and smiles. Smiles are important. We will all have a great, exciting and inspiring week.
This was the first part of this year's chapter from Naturskulptur - stay tuned for the rest of Naturskulptur week - we're looking forward to it!
Report from day 2, Sunday 29 August
Saturday evening in Grillhuset was a nice and cosy evening, Grete served waffles and coffee/tea/juice, but everyone gets so tired - we're out all day in nice mountain air and 720 metres above sea level. So by 2200, most people were back in their cabins.
Yes! We woke up to glorious sunshine and a beautiful Sunday. Breakfast was eaten and everyone was ready for a new and exciting working day.
Saturday evening in Grillhuset was a nice and cosy evening, Grete served waffles and coffee/tea/juice, but everyone gets so tired - we're out all day in nice mountain air and 720 metres above sea level. So by 2200, most people were back in their cabins.
Yes! We woke up to glorious sunshine and a beautiful Sunday. Breakfast was eaten and everyone was ready for a new and exciting working day.
Report from day 3, Monday 30/08
Another day of sunshine and fine weather - we're lucky. On this day, some people are travelling to Røros for a change of scenery and to see this beautiful place, but most want to get out and work on their art, continue with their haymaking or be active.
Since it's party night this afternoon, we had self-lubricated packed lunches at Trolltreet. Packed lunches taste great with a roaring fire and campfire smoke.
After that, the artistic activities got going again - it leaves its mark - works of art begin to take shape both in stone and in mind! Since it's a party night, we finish working at 1430 - and then meet at 1600 in Grillhuset.
And what a party it turned out to be - Maximus from Andebu came to entertain us all with fine music, singing and the joy of playing. They first held a concert for us before Monika said that the food was served.
After everyone had eaten good food, there was more singing and music from Maximus - there were many who also wanted to dance - a nice, safe and good atmosphere. Those who did not dance felt the atmosphere through touch and the rhythm the touch gives. Maximus thanked us and Kari, the course host, thanked us and handed over a gift for entertaining us again this year. With their way of presenting the joy of playing, this gives us a strong experience. The "hat" went round, enough to buy something for on the way home perhaps ...
But in the middle of the sing-along, Tina from Maximus wanted to entertain us with her own song and dance. She gave everything of herself - what a rhythm, dance and song that girl has. We were a little put off, but quickly realised that we HAD to clap and "hoot" along with her. Two songs were performed. Great fun with a spontaneous mini concert.
The evening continued with more singing and drumming. The course participants like drumming, so much so that we kept going until 2200!
This Monday evening party is a great addition to the course week. The get-together brings many nice situations with relationship building both between course participants, companions and artists. I hope everyone gets to bed, as tomorrow is a new day.
Well, this was the Monday chapter already - the days pass quickly in the steely weather, lots of smiles and laughter. Will be back with chapter four and for Tuesday tomorrow.
Report from day 4, Tuesday 01/09.
Woke up to sunshine and good weather today too.
Today, I'd like to write a little about how the collaboration between artists and people with deafblindness can be observed. Over the course of the days, the course participants have visited the various workstations and become familiar with different materials. Stone, wood, wool, grinding machine and pneumatic hammer.
A course participant has worked with stone and grinds it. Sitting in a wheelchair - feels the touch of artist Martin. He is the one holding the pneumatic hammers and she feels the vibration through him. Martin tries to take her hand with his hand - he holds her hand gently - if she wants to pull her hand, she can do so. This is repeated several times. It's important to take your time. Her companions are also around her - so they help to interpret her to Martin. If she wants a break, there is a short pause before they start the same procedure. After a while, you can see that she likes this with the pneumatic hammer. A nice interaction also becomes art.
Then we have a big, sturdy bloke. He mostly likes to work with a bit of heavy labour, but today it was lining and seat pads that had to be made. Boy, did he enjoy this. He probably thought it was a bit strange because he simply laughed when his companions had to roll and roll this together with water and green soap. This was something new and exciting to feel/smell. He was with us - he was patient - he is easy to "go for a walk" when he needs a break to think, but this was something that made him calm. The way he gets to know wool/soap/water is that the attendants take his hands and place them on the table and lead them to the woollen seat pad. He always gets to decide for himself how much he wants to feel and participate. He is involved in the whole process.
Then he wants to work with stone. For the first time, he went off on his own to find a suitable workpiece. Compressed air hammer does the job. Here he stands in close contact arm/shoulder to his companions - he feels the hammer vibrating. He is still smiling his sly smile. Ok has to take a few short "walking rounds", but today he wants to make art.
He carries the finished stone over to the sculpture stone. Artist Peder helps to put it in place. He is proud and very pleased.
Join us in the next chapter too
Report from day 5, Wednesday 02/09.
Yes, it's the last day of the course and the last chapter of the Nature Sculpture Days at Johnsgård.
Today was the day for all the sculptures to be placed on the sculpture stone. The course participants themselves, with the help of an escort, take their art to the sculpture park. In the park, the artists are ready to help put the various works of art in place. Once the stone is in place, the course participant can feel and touch where it has been placed.
Once this is done - the course participants and companions can walk around the sculpture park to feel, touch and explore the park a little on their own.
Today's programme also includes a joint summary of the week and everyone will be thanked for being here this week. This takes place today indoors in the living room as it is raining and windy.
The course host leads this closing of Naturskulptur 2015. She thanks Johnsgård for letting us stay here once again and for all the good meals, and gives a gift to Jonas and Monika. Jan-Ole and Grethe also receive a greeting. She then presents each participant with a diploma, a photo of the course participant and a memory pen with photos from the course week. If it hadn't been for the course participants, there would have been no course!
The artists will also be honoured this year - we can't do without them either. Aashild has made a fabric soap that will be handed over.
The course host concludes by thanking you for a great week and wishing everyone a safe journey home after breakfast tomorrow morning.
And just like that, Nature Sculpture Week was over for 2015