Amicale

Photo installation
25 framed Polaroids, each 15 x 20 cm
As a participant of the exchange programme „Résidences Croisées“ in 2021 I spent three months
as artist-in-residence in Strasbourg. Being impressed by the architecture and the importance of the
European facilities I decided to create the photo installation
„Europe Is Always A Good Idea“.
The location of the Council Of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights are the
background for the majority of the images.
They are „selfies“, actually prototypes for fast snapshots on mobile phones.
But in this case I used polaroids to make each photo unique. Distributed over the complete series I
stamped a quotation by Vaclav Havel:
"Hope… is not the same as joy that things are going well, or willingness to invest in
enterprises that are obviously headed for early success, but, rather, an ability to work for
something because it is good, not just because it stands a chance to succeed.“
Vačlav Havel, 'Disturbing the Peace: A Conversation with Karel Hvížďala’.
Being a European citizen myself I strongly believe in the vision of Europe as a free and safe area
that protects and guarantees democracy and human rights. These values are maintained and
defended in Strasbourg at the depicted locations that are simultaneously background and reason
for this art project.