Reflections and Experiences
- helonconning
- Jul 27
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 8
‘But to be something outside the world of style, one must speak in a language that no one has spoken before’ - Marianne von Werefkin
Embracing the Week
On Monday, I kicked off the week with a refreshing swim at the mineral baths. The cold water is invigorating. It stimulates the body with its bracing and constantly flowing mineral content. In the afternoon, I focused on my portrait of GEDOK founder Eda Delmar. This process has been intriguing. Using a photo reference on my laptop is a new experience for me. I am accustomed to working from live models, so this adds a different dimension to my observations. It has been a slow yet enjoyable journey, especially since her head is tilted slightly. I feel like I am making progress!
On Tuesday, I finally tackled some housekeeping and did a food shop. The rest of the day was spent contemplating painting. I began work on a vibrant abstract oil pastel piece of myself in Stuttgart. I stumbled upon four large cardboard pieces on the street and brought them back to my studio. In Stuttgart, it’s common to leave items outside your house for others to take. You can often find books, toys, clothes, and even furniture left out.
In the late afternoon, I met up with @barbara.karsch.chaieb, an artist and owner of Kunst Klima Gallery. She showed me her studio, where she creates with earth pigments and oil shale from various locations worldwide. Some soil samples are labelled and contained in small bottles. It was a fascinating space filled with environmental, geological, and anthropological discoveries. We ended the evening with drinks outside the Jazz Club Kiste, listening to a band called Paper Moon.
Wednesday brought an unexpected surprise: a free ticket to a local Patti Smith concert. I couldn’t believe my luck! I attended the open-air concert at Killesberg Park alone and met some lovely people, including Helga, who became my singalong buddy. The atmosphere was dreamy, surrounded by trees, a blue sky, birdsong, and beautiful music. After the concert, I met up with Clara, and we enjoyed a lovely walk back to GEDOK.
On Thursday, I continued working on my oil pastel creation. In the evening, I enjoyed a coffee and a good chat with Ellen.
Friday was the day of the GEDOK Summerfest, a yearly gathering of GEDOK artists, associates, and friends. I had the important role of overseeing the sausages! I had never been called a ‘grill master’ before, and the pressure was real! Thankfully, everyone remained well, and there were no reports of illness—at least not to my knowledge! It was a key role because it allowed me to greet everyone, share a few laughs, and enjoy the friendly faces of those who attended. The band ‘Final Girl’ played throughout the evening, entertaining us into the early hours. The duo, consisting of one woman on bass and another on electric guitar, delivered punk-inspired tunes.
Saturday started slowly with a leisurely coffee breakfast at GEDOK. We cleared away the furniture from the night before. In the afternoon, Clara and I attended a local clothes swap. I found a shirt that read ‘daydreamer’—how fitting!
Sunday was my adventure to Munich. I took the slow train, leaving GEDOK at 7 AM and arriving at 11:30 AM. My plan was to sightsee, visit museums, and see Elke's live art performance alongside free improvisation at 6 PM. Munich was bustling with people of all ages due to a sports festival. I walked through various demonstrations of sporting activities, including jujitsu, frisbee throwing, warrior obstacle games, and even plate spinning.
Feeling disoriented, I decided to hop on the sightseeing bus. Munich is vast yet interconnected, and navigating it can feel like a maze. The bus was a good decision. The city is filled with museums and galleries bursting with culture, much like Stuttgart (and, of course, beer gardens!).
Within the grand mustard-yellow walls of the Lenbachhaus Gallery, I discovered a fantastic collection of modern art. It includes works by Kandinsky, Marianne von Werefkin, Gabriele Munter, and Paul Klee. There was even a floor dedicated to Joseph Beuys, a Fluxus artist whose work opened my eyes, mind, and heart to the art of life.
As 6 PM approached, I made my way to the subway location, guided by the lovely staff at the museum. They have a long room alongside the subway dedicated to creativity, emphasising collaboration. Oh, how I wish we had such a space in St Helens! A creative hub with tools and equipment for everyone to use. I made my mark on the wall, as visitors were invited to do.
I found Elke, who welcomed me with a warm hug. I discovered a swing to sit on while watching the performance. It was a wonderful experience, gently swinging as Elke and the musicians created their vibrations and human improvisational magic in space and time.
A Night in Munich
I was invited to stay over in Munich. Along with Elke, musicians, and friends, we went to a local Korean restaurant. We enjoyed beer and delicious dishes. A special thanks to Andrea, curator of the Kollabs, for her warm and cosy hospitality.
The next day, after a lovely breakfast, we returned to the performance space to hang Elke's artwork from the performance and collect the rest of her gear. We made it back to Stuttgart by 5:30 PM, and I went to bed, reflecting on a week filled with creativity, connection, and inspiration.
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