Yesterday was a milestone of sorts as it was the first time I exhibit my work to the broarder public, therefore going beyond showing it at home, or exhibition at the Academy at the end of the year.
The exhibition is called Carte de Visite and showcases the work of 300 artists from the city of Brussels (1000 BE).
Having to mount the artwork in the space, confronted me with questions of how to showcase my work, as well as a sense of wondering about the perceptions of spectators. But confrotations would not end there.
Yesterday, after a long work week, gathering remaining energies to go to the vernissage, I was surprised at the crowd it had drawn, as well as about the quality of the works of fellow artists.
I had almost ended checking the first floor (there are 5 floors in total), when someone took a horn to announce that one of the exhibiting artists, who was a "sans-papiers" (undocumented migrants) had been arrested by the police a couple of hours ago at an association, following a perquisition in an artistic association.
The association is called Globe Aroma and promotes exchanges between artists, including those without papers... 7 people were arrested.
I went with a group of people to check what could be done at the local police office, but to no avail. Without going into details, this was a wake-up call as to the real world we are living in, the fact that there is no respite even in art, no safe-havens.
Sadness for the fact that even movements of civil society are being targeted. Such actions would probably not even stand the test of legality (Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights).
The erosion of rights and democracy is worrisome.
The vernissage and free drinks gone, this will be for another day another place.