1. You have decided to take part in the Changwon Sculpture Biennale 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Has there been any challenges?
2. The traditional exhibition model no longer applies in the post-pandemic era, calling for alternatives. What kind of role do you think biennales and art exhibitions should play in the future?
3. Offline visits to indoor exhibitions (Main Exhibition, Special Exhibitions 1 & 2) were restricted due to the government’s social distancing policy from September 17 to October 4, 2020 during which the audience were able to enjoy artworks only through online platform. The exhibitions have been made available both online and offline afterwards. What do you think of the online exhibitions at the Changwon Sculpture Biennale 2020?
4. Do your submissions to the Changwon Sculpture Biennale 2020 have any connections with its theme, “Non-Sculpture: Light or Flexible“? If they do, tell us your thoughts in relation to materials, forms, methodologies and contexts.
5. What’s your impression of the Biennale in Korea?
6. What do you make of the Changwon Sculpture Biennale 2020, compared to other biennales? Tell us your honest feedback.
7. What are your plans after the Changwon Sculpture Biennale 2020?
Artist: Strijdom van der Merwe
Artwork: Earth Knots (Natural condensed Earth. Found objects.)
Q. You have decided to take part in the Changwon Sculpture Biennale 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Has there been any challenges?
A. The biggest challenge have been to realize that you as artist will not be able to attend the Biennale. What make this complicated is to realize that you won’t be able to install the work yourself. In my case (Earth knots) not being able to choose the rocks yourself. This have opened a new way of thinking and mutual trust. It asked of the artist to put his creative thinking process in the hands of the organizers and the assistants of the biennale. As a artist you always have a certain concept but as the installation process develop it can be that you make changes for the purpose of the art work and project. I have to admit that in the case of the Changwon Sculpture Biennale I was more that please and surprise and happy about the way they have handle and install my work. Proud of the organization that made the artist wishes their own.
Q. The traditional exhibition model no longer applies in the post-pandemic era, calling for alternatives. What kind of role do you think biennales and art exhibitions should play in the future?
A. This is a interesting and difficult question that is on everybody’s mind. To answer it, is to take a shot somewhere into the dark. We tend to hang on to the old ideas and systems that work. To have a answer after 9 months how the art world will look like in the future is difficult. Think we will have to see how successful the Art Fairs/Biennale/exhibitions that have happened during COVID-19 have been. If the interest and exposure is still the same because of social media without many people attending the event itself then Yes, I guess we can continue. BUT I think as artist we all had to find alternative channels to sell our work during the pandemic. And if we manage to survive and continue with our careers the question can be why do we need Art Fairs and Biennales. May be the time have come where the artist and the client communicate directly. But life and time turn slowly and answers will only appear after another 9 months I guess.
Q. What do you make of the Changwon Sculpture Biennale 2020, compared to other biennales? Tell us your honest feedback.
A. It was a Biennale that started before Lockdown and all systems was running. Then suddenly they had to adapt to the unforeseen circumstances and that is what impressed me the most. At no point had I felt that they are loosing the grip on quality/organization and exposure. The correspondence were always clear and I felt comfortable during the change over form free to lockdown. To hand my project/art work over to the organizers knowing the I won’t be there was a big thing for me and I presume for all artists. But the way they clearly correspond to me to make sure that my wishes was met maid me felt that I was in the best hands possible. That was a relief and I could sit back and await the images that was send later and could only applaud the outcome. Thank You. Well done.
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