It's true that I have often conflicts with exhibition organizers, residency hosts and whatever institutions I work with. It doesn't happen by coincidence or bad luck but because I don't tolerate arrogance and unprofessionalism. Most of the artists prefer to be submissive and not to put in danger their future opportunities.
My project Syria for Dummies, that was inaugurated on Friday, was the first in Espacio Trapézio's exhibition series Stress Test. Ironically, it was one of the most stressing experiences I have had in my career (it was my solo show number 37).
In the beginning, I was happy that the non-profit space was fast to react and program this fresh project about ongoing events in Syria but their effort level resulted to be deplorable. I still have no idea why.
I was told November 22 that my show was scheduled for early or mid-December. Then the organization kept silence during a week but finally invited me to Madrid December 2 to plan the production. I had been getting really nervous for the time frame - there were no days to be lost. The opening was planned for December 13, then changed to December 15 and finally to December 16.
During all the process, Espacio Trapézio's team had something more important to do than my show, this they told me openly. I had constantly to beg them to do their job. It was impossible to understand the hierarchy of the organization, each of the workers wanted to pass the responsibilities to somebody else. The director of the space went on vacation during the exhibition week. I was told that the subdirector was present but she didn't even bother to say hello.
The team was incapable to send invitations to people. Two days before the opening they told me that there are so many exhibitions in Madrid, that not many people will be interested in my project. The answer was the same when I asked about informing the media - they said there's no use to do it. Finally, after asking several times they sent out some information but I still had to ask few times more to receive the invitations e-mail myself.
Espacio Trapézio framed my drawings. I was grateful for this and told that I didn't demand museum level frames - only that the drawings don't touch the glass because of the fragile impastos. They framed the works tightly between two glasses.We'll see what happend when the frames are opened.
Espacio Trapézio agreed to convert my photos in a two-channel video. This could have been done a week before the show and tested in their equipment but the video was ready 8.30pm when the opening reception had started 8pm.
For my surprise, Espacio Trapézio didn't organize the habitual dinner after the reception. I had to improvise and pay it for some curators and friends who came to the opening. Nobody of the team attended the dinner.
To add some irony, I've listened a public conference given by one of the persons of the organization telling that Espacio Trapézio is something different - respecting the artists and working with them horizontally without typical powers structures. This person was proud of the an honorarium of €300 paid to the artists. I would have preferred not to receive any cash and sleep in a hotel, now I was put in a hostel without hot water - although I don't trust now at all that I'm going to see ever that money.
Anyways, I believe that the exhibition looks good and I hope that people go to see it - but not those days that it will be closed for a food workshop for kids organized in the same space...
