'beteken's een gebeurtenis'

I've been thinking of 'English ways' to explain this custom made gift for a visiting lecturer in mediation. Impossible, really, because the topic is a play of Dutch words. The concept comes down to the following: one thing mediation teaches is that even though you can't change an incident, you can change the meaning of it (the way you look at it). The kit includes 3 cut-outs of which you can make small boxes. Put an incident that you'd like to change into a box and then give it a whole new meaning by using the pencil.

'beteken's een gebeurtenis' is een op maat gemaakt geschenk voor een gastdocent in 'mediation'. Mediation stelt o.a.: "aan een gebeurtenis zelf kun je niks veranderen; wèl aan de betekenis die je eraan geeft!" Maak van een vouwplaat een doosje en stop er denkbeeldig een gebeurtenis in. Voor je ligt nu een 'schone lei'. Zet een nieuwe betekenis op het doosje: 'beteken's deze gebeurtenis'. Gebruik het potlood of je eigen materialen!

'Gezelligheid' continued!

As promised, here are some images of a finished set of souvenir cards (see message below). Create Dutch 'gezelligheid' (cosiness) by following the steps described on the cards: 1. put some tulips in a vase; 2. bake Dutch apple pie; 3. invite some friends over and ask them to come on time and 4. by bike; 5. serve them good quality coffee; 6. start talking about the weather; 7. tell your friends that you find it 'gezellig'!

"Fresh from the press!"

Meaning I just finished 100 souvenirs for a division of the Dutch Inspectorate of Education. The souvenirs enable foreign guests to create Dutch 'gezelligheid' (meaning something like cosiness) back at home in their own country in 7 typical steps. I'll share more images soon!

Compliment-tent

On a regular basis (unless she is really impressed!), my inner art critic joins me at my desk on a chair next to me. She'll ask me why I'm not making more art, artier art or ART. She sometimes even manages to make me question my entire being. My first reaction is usually to kick her out of my studio, or to send her to the back of my head. Today I decided to give her some 'counterweight' and dug up these photo's. About 5 years ago I created this 'compliment-tent'

(= complimententent), as a part of an assignment to make a shelter. A tent consisting of encouraging words from (boy)friends and family taken from letters and postcards that I'd kept over the years. Even though it's far from airtight, spending time in this tent is extremely comfortable. My inner art critic promised me that she would take a break. If you're going camping one of these days you might see her using this tent!