BLOGDIAL : We are the best

Hello unto you.

I (David Cotner) am generally loathe to hoist the black flag of the "good fight", but something came across my desk recently that I feel is interesting and important enough to be addressed.

I don't want to look the fool for petitioning a situation that has already been resolved. As it happens, it has not. My inquiry to the belowmentioned individual on the Swedish IASPIS board (in order to encourage some semblance of fair and accurate reporting) has been unanswered and ignored. The crux of the situation stems from the action detailed at the following site:

http://www.johnduncan.org/bd-essays.html

So, now I present this very strange case to you.

From: "Ingrid Engarås" Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2002 2:16 AM
Subject: IASPIS causing trouble for John Duncan in Sweden

"Official Swedish art institution IASPIS disregarding their contract with John Duncan.

URGENT NEED FOR SUPPORT:

Dear collagues, artists, friends and collaborators around the world. We have a serious problem in Stockholm, Sweden and we need your support.

The internationally acclaimed experimental contemporary artist John Duncan was invited to Sweden by IASPIS (International Artists' Studio Program In Sweden), on recommendation by curator CM von Hausswolff, to live and work here for a period of six months.

John Duncan had planned and started working on several collaborations, concerts, lectures and a major exhibition to take place at Fargfabriken. IASPIS supported his work in Sweden with a studio, an apartment and money enough for John to make his living in Stockholm for the six-month period.

The experimental art community in Stockholm was happy to have John here a guest. Until Friday the 1st of February, when the IASPIS board of directors suddenly decided to change their mind, breaking the contract with Duncan, because of the so-called "problematic nature" of "Blind Date", an artwork performed by him in 1980.

We are outraged at the way an official art institution has arbitrarily decided to treat an internationally acclaimed guest artist! We are seriously concerned about how this will affect the future life of art in Sweden.

Will every official guest have their artistic history examinated for possible "problematic" works before being accepted? Will only the artists whose work upsets no one receive official support? These and several other questions are now being discussed among artists in Stockholm, while the tabloid press is hunting Duncan to comment on a work he did 20 years ago.

IASPIS has arrogantly decided to expel him - but as John Duncan has already begun work in Stockholm, it is not possible for him to simply leave Sweden immediately. In defiance of IASPIS' actions, the Swedish art community has decided to take over the responsibilities that IASPIS is now attempting to avoid. We, Duncan's friends and collagues, are in a situation where we are forced to find money, support and places for him to stay while he finishes the work he came here to complete, as the flagship art institution of Sweden has seriously betrayed John Duncan and all artists that it is entrusted to support.

In hope of your support, Stockholm 02 - 02 - 13
Ingrid Engarås, performance artist and organizer --------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOW?

YOU can support John Duncan and the Stockholm experimental art community by complaining to IASPIS about their misbehaivior against John Duncan. You are also welcome to spread this letter to people who might care, all around the world.

Anyone not familiar with Duncan's work is invited to study his artistic background at

http://www.johnduncan.org

IASPIS did not even make the effort to read it before inviting him, and now they expect him to suffer the consequences of their negligence.

Simply copy the protest letter below, or write your own comment. Send your message to IASPIS director Sara Arrhenius (sa@iaspis.com) or, as IASPIS refuses to discuss any alternative solutions to this, despite widespread criticism from the Stockholm art community and the Swedish national press, please direct protest messages to the Swedish Minister of Culture, Ms Marita Ulvskog ."

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"We, the undersigned artists, curators and cultural workers, seriously question the decision taken by the board of directors at IASPIS, concerning the abrupt termination of the Stockholm visit of the internationally acclaimed artist John Duncan.

Duncan was invited to Stockholm by IASPIS to work and stay as an artist in residence for a period of six months. His performances and concerts, at Fylkingen and Färgfabriken so far, have deeply affected and inspired several Swedish artists to develop their experimentation in the fields of sound and performance art. Several respected artists living in Stockholm were looking forward to a spring with even more opportunities to experience the powerfully dynamic works of John Duncan. Artists and cultural workers in Stockholm were glad and thankful for the generosity and support shown by IASPIS for inviting Duncan, among others, to inspire and develope the vital Swedish scene of experimental contemporary arts.

The reason given for the termination is that IASPIS suddenly became aware of "Blind Date", an artwork performed by Duncan more than 20 years ago. "Blind Date" were performed during a time when the artist were researching the extremes of human behaivior, social taboos and the very limits of his expressions, especially in the areas of death and sexuality. Duncan has in no way hidden his history of extreme experimentation, to IASPIS or anyone else. Over the years he has openly discussed his works in lectures, as well as in interviews in a variety of respected European, Japanese and US publications.

Duncan was invited to Stockholm to work with his contemporary art, especially in the field of soundart. This is exactly what he was doing, in full cooperation with the IASPIS staff, when his residency was unjustly terminated. His collaboratory soundwork "Palace of Mind" (Allquestions) was released recently on CD and has claimed a place of its own as a highlight of contemporary experimental music innovation.

We think it's unacceptable to judge anyone for activities performed 20 years ago, which have no relation whatsoever to the activities that Duncan is currently pursuing in Stockholm. We find it an embarrassment to the Stockholm art community that IASPIS has chosen to arbitrarily disregard their contract long after it's been agreed upon by both parties, in fact several months after Duncan has been working here. Their insulting disregard of Duncan's rights makes the entire Stockholm art community seem as weak and fearful of their jobs as the IASPIS board of directors have shown themselves to be in the eyes of our international colleagues around the world. Their actions also raise serious doubts about the treatment that all present and future invited artists can expect from the IASPIS program.

We ask the IASPIS board of directors to reconsider their decision in a mature and serious manner, and not to behave like bureaucrats in panic for their positions. Grant him the full stipend that IASPIS is legally obligated to pay, which he needs in order to survive in Stockholm while finishing the work he came here to do." -------------------------------------------------------------------

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