Here´s Still Light – is the name of the new flagship project conceived and developed by the German mixed media and textile artist Gerd G.M. Brockmann, set up by the Danish Art Gallery “Galleri Nexus” in Uge, Åbenrå, and progressively materializing thanks to the agile fingers of Flensburger Servicehaüser der Arbeiterwohlfahrt Schleswig-Holstein and Tinglev Uge´s Monday Knitting Club.

The Fine Art Social Sculpture – when the creative process tackles the issues our modern society is struggling with (disintegration of the social network, aging, etc.)

In Here´s Still Light, what matters is not just the final exhibition, the ongoing social process that leads to the creation of the work of art and prolongs it constitutes the core of the concept.

The protagonists are here elderly people, eager to learn and share their knowledge, bearers of the tradition, and –too- often forgotten. Indeed this constantly growing population does not take up much space in the public sphere; they are looked after, nursed – what else? Do they have aspirations? Has the question ever crossed our minds?

Witnesses of the biggest upheavals of these last decades, they do have a say in the matter, they are the bridges our society lacks. Between yesterday, today and tomorrow. Between tradition and modernity. Between old, young, and less young. We have to reintegrate them in the public sphere and listen to them.

Reflection of their wisdom and talents, this Fine Art Social Sculpture is their message. And their way to contribute to our society´s development.

A multi-dimensional project and a connecting tool

Here´s Still Light is in essence a participatory project, a common creation aiming at reviving and transmitting old knitting traditions and know-how to the new generations, blurring the boundaries between modern art, design and craft…. and shoving the borders? The elaboration of the sculpture has been entrusted to Danish and German pensioners on both sides of the border – whom you will get acquainted with via their portraits and biographies to be exhibited as a part of the work of art itself.

More than a symbol, Here´s Still Light is a connecting tool whose bonding potential is unlimited.

The Dream Team

Our 17 knitting artists, in their seventies for the majority, reacted enthusiastically to the project on both sides of the border. The first general meeting in Tinglev was a fantastic moment, where the Germans and the Danes could exchange about themselves, their respective memories about the occupation period, the wars… It was emotionally intense. “Art brought them together”, underlines Gerd G.M. Brockmann, and he adds “but the language has never been a barrier, as in both groups there are German- or Danish- speaking people”. This determining meeting gave rise to a constructive creative atmosphere.

The TEAM                                                                                     

Erika Margarete Pieger 01.03.1920, Mary Catharina Langholz 06.04.1924,Cathrine Pedersen 29.12.1925, Marga Wilhelmine Robbe 30.04.1929, Christa Erika Ingetraut Petersen 22.12.1931, Astrid Krøyer  29.05.1933, Ellen Margarete Petersen 11.06.1933, Marie Hansen Nielsen 01.05.1936, Sonja Raun Kristensen 28.09.1938, Emmi Käte Johansen 02.04.1939, Karin Margenfeld  12.05.1940, Karin Hildegard Büchel 28.07.1943, Helene Truelsen 12.10.1944, Inga Jensen 13.12.1944, Jytte Frost 20.05.1949, Yrsa Karna Schmidt 16.02.1950

Gerd Gustav Martin Brockmann 21.03.1977, Nejla Yilmaztürk 06.01.1989, Korbinian Rudolf Georg Petzinger 17.08.1945

Imagination and stamina

“The biggest challenge we had to face at the beginning was that the participants did not dare let their imagination roam, develop their own ideas in relation to the project. Even though I kept stressing that I like seeing other imaginations express themselves in contemporary art and enjoy exploring new, original paths with the participants” mentions the artist. But the initial hesitations rapidly gave way to innovative ideas. A lady (aged 90) even confided that she had dreamt her whole life of using her knitting skills to contribute to society´s betterment, and that this project has given her stamina and motivates her now in her everyday life.

A promising start

Here´s Still Light is well on the way… And it seems that a bright future awaits the social sculpture concept. Berlin, London, Dublin, Brussels, Paris, as well as Istanbul are planed as next steps. Knitting together brings people closer – it has proved to be one of the best ways to establish a dialogue… beyond all languages…and ages: school classes will soon be involved in the project, giving even more resonances to the whole concept.

Brockmann: https://artprojectbrockmann.com/
Illustration: Nejla Yilmazturk - Fashion designer / Illustrator
Catalog: Nejla Yilmazturk
Gallery Nexus – Denmark Website: http://www.gallerinexus.dk/
Photos by : FM Becker Fotografie / Studio Flensburg Germany

Conceptual Wood Design by Korbinian Petzinger

Here´s Still Light is supported by Kulturregion Sønderjylland-Schleswig,  Servicehaus Fruerlund /Arbeiterwohlfahrt Schleswig –Holstein and Billedkunstrådet i Aabenraa Kommune .



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Gerd G.M. Brockmann