SPA (Some People Around)

9SPA X Wijnwerk — bi/bye Business:Conditions

*Eureka! is what Archimedes yelled when he understood how to measure the volume of irregular objects, noticing that the water level rose when he stepped into the bathtub. Eureka! Since then signifies the euphoric feeling of having a profound insight.

Insights and discoveries are fundamental to the scientific process, but remain unnoticed without being transformed into the currency of academic business conditions: a scientific article, grant money, positions, better positions, and tenure. The euphoric Eureka! yet often quickly dissipates through the process of publishing and disseminating science, via self-promotion and public speaking.

Art, as science, is about transforming ideas, elusive and beautiful thoughts, into ways of expression. The need to show and to sell, to sustain the art work, risks that the business conditions oust the core of the art's very existence.

At this special SPA X Wijnwerk we expose Bi/Bye/Buy-conditions (business conditions forming our work and income). Moving from our living room into the public, we explored the space in between social and commercial, private and professional, awkwardness and fun.

What brings us together is the desire to learn, link, like and let loose. What will remain is a constellation of WORK(s) intertwining ideas and people: maps, graphs, poems, papers, pamphlets, models, images, pricelists, schedules, photos, paintings, films, transformed Eurekas!* tied by Ariadne’s thread, fugitive pairing towards a social figuration.

Human connection is what we sought, and human connection is what we created! I'm increasingly aware of how making yourself vulnerable, being quirky, goofy, showing some edges allows others to open up, join in and feel connected. We had a magical afternoon and evening that I will continue to reflect on.

8EX:Conditions

In exhibition making and experimentation we are setting conditions. Conditions that aim at altering cognition and emotions. With a little help from some people around, we explored the similarities between these interventions.

In empirical research, experimental conditions form the foundation for generating insights into causal relationships. Bram Van den Bergh provided an introduction to this fundamental tool of behavioral science. In art, exhibitions are a central gateway for art to unfold its effect. Isabelle Sully reflected on her dual role, setting conditions for other artists through curation and being exposed to conditions set by others as an artist herself.

7(partner)ships' invisible waves

This event was all about real and unreal partnerships. Maria Ines told us about her newspaper The Arts of the Working Class, pointing towards an emerging arts and science partnership with me. Sharmyn Cruz Rivera and her partner, Dani Giles, presented a project researching Adolf Loos's house for Josephine Baker, an illustration of high society's regard for and gaze upon Black artists during the early 20th century. An imaginary partnership? Emmett Zeifman continued with a theoretical critique of Loos's work and thinking. We concluded by closing the triangle such that Emmett's partner Sara Constantino, my academic sister, reflected on her work on the barriers and power lying in social norms.

We all added a little sugar to the SPA by sharing our favorite love songs.

6(author)ships' invisible waves

Reestablishing the balance of our SPAs, we discussed questions of authorship in the arts and sciences, and rounded off the event discussing the (im)possibility of unconscious decision making with Ben Newell, our special guest from Australia.

5(relation)ships' invisible waves

At this event in relationship with Het Zuid Manifest we dived deeper into the arts and, unlike all previous events in our living room, it was held at Rotterdam's most absurd spot. I discussed with Zac Taylor his use of fiction in academic writing and we explored the power of real human connection. Giuditta Vendrame presented sounds/songs from her artistic research on Bangladeshi women.

4Contemplating and Cultivating Nature

With the help of Rembrandt's Anatomy Lesson of Dr Nicolaes Tulp we discussed scientific discovery and its reflection in art (or the other way around).

3Indulging and Deluging Nature

A heartwarming gathering during the holiday season.

2Taming and Dreading Nature

A discussion about climate risk and the fear involved in climate action turned into a heated discussion on corporate versus grassroots activism.

1Inauguration

An event to start our salon and first series discussing our relations with nature.