A Korean woman flags me down. As she approaches she says:
Mama, [something in Korean] apartment open. [Something in Korean] 2,000.
I politely declined and thought: I like her gusto! And the fact that she called me "mama."
Showing posts with label field work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label field work. Show all posts
Friday, March 15, 2013
Monday, March 11, 2013
From my Studio to yours!
 |
| from Field Note Installation, One (2013) |
Yep, I've got lots of new work to share with you!
I am nearing completion on one of the projects from my time in Kenya. It's working title is Facing Inside Surfaces, consists of a video installation and a photo/sound installation (photo above is part of that), and is an investigation of space and privacy in the central province of Kenyan via the omnipresent gate.
I'm starting to set up studio visits via Skype (Skype name: nicolerademacher.com). Please let me know if you are interested. I would love to show you what I have been up to.
Additionally, I want to see what other artists have been getting into. In the next couple weeks I will be physically visiting studios of local L.A. artists as well as doing studio visits via Skype. I'll be sure to keep you abreast on all the info!
Thanks for your continued support.
Research and documentation for this project made possible by the North Carolina Arts Council, USA and many private donars/patrons.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Cooking
*Wanjiru doesn't like to cook, but she has been cooking her whole life, she tells me bluntly as she picks through the red mung bean (a bean that I will become very accustomed to during my time here as it appears at many meals). I am surprised that she doesn't like cooking, only because cooking to me is a joy; it's a hobby of mine. I ask about her hobbies. She doesn't have any. After finishing sorting the usable from the not-usable, she proceeds to the kitchen to wash and strain them.
While her English is perfect, the dialect here takes some getting used to for me. When asked her favorite meat, Wanjiru promptly responds "leaver". I give her a confused look and wonder if she told me in Swahili, certain food is commonly known in its Swahili name rather than in English.
She proceeds to spell it, L-I-V-
- Ahhhh, I say before she can finish, Liver! I repeat, as if correcting her. Am I correcting her?
I'm immediately ashamed for having said it in that fashion, but try to disguise it by asking her, Beef or pork?
With a scornful look she says, Beef! Not pork, and she gives me a disdainful grimace while shaking her head.
After washing and straining she lets the beans soak overnight, but says that she will have to get up at 6 am in order to cook them - she doesn't normally cook on Sundays, it's sabbath. Curiously I ask her about her plan for Sunday.
Usually, I go to church from 10:30 am to 1pm, she explains.
It's not that Wanjiru isn't forthcoming with information, but she simply doesn't tell me much unless I explicitly ask her. So, I pry further: Do you come home after church?
No, she tells me that afterwards she either goes and visits with her mother or visits a friend, who owns a salon in Kibera.
That's enough, she says almost already exhausted, That's enough.
*Name changed for privacy.
While her English is perfect, the dialect here takes some getting used to for me. When asked her favorite meat, Wanjiru promptly responds "leaver". I give her a confused look and wonder if she told me in Swahili, certain food is commonly known in its Swahili name rather than in English.
She proceeds to spell it, L-I-V-
- Ahhhh, I say before she can finish, Liver! I repeat, as if correcting her. Am I correcting her?
I'm immediately ashamed for having said it in that fashion, but try to disguise it by asking her, Beef or pork?
With a scornful look she says, Beef! Not pork, and she gives me a disdainful grimace while shaking her head.
After washing and straining she lets the beans soak overnight, but says that she will have to get up at 6 am in order to cook them - she doesn't normally cook on Sundays, it's sabbath. Curiously I ask her about her plan for Sunday.
Usually, I go to church from 10:30 am to 1pm, she explains.
It's not that Wanjiru isn't forthcoming with information, but she simply doesn't tell me much unless I explicitly ask her. So, I pry further: Do you come home after church?
No, she tells me that afterwards she either goes and visits with her mother or visits a friend, who owns a salon in Kibera.
That's enough, she says almost already exhausted, That's enough.
*Name changed for privacy.
Nicole Rademacher is a currently in Nairobi, Kenya until the beginning of May doing research and documentation for her current project investigating domestic ritual (made possible by the North Carolina Arts Council, USA and many private donars/patrons).
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
A place to start
PREFACE
These posts will be in no particular order. I have created labels so that you can navigate some of the topics for my posts from Kenya:
From the house where I am staying *George, my guide for the day and now-coworker, and I took the #40 bus to the center and then took a Matatu. I'm a bit leery to take the Matatu, mainly because I don't know if I will feel ready to take one on my own next time. A Matatu is a van (seats about 15) that is a mode of public transportation. All public transportation in Nairobi has fluctuating prices but the day before Morrison, my other guide/co-worker, told me that because I am white they may decide to charge me more. Maybe when I can defend myself in Swahili I will feel more confident with the idea of taking a Matatu by myself.
We take the #46 to Mathare Valley. Once we get our feet on the ground George announces it, "Mathare Valley Slum". We walk a bit further down the road to a building. He wants to show me a view of the entire slum. I find it unsettling that he continually uses that word. Perhaps it is because I am used to it being used in a derogatory manner, when really it is simply used to described sub-standard living, to describe the place. We walk behind the building and on the steps there are three children. The older sister is putting cornrows in the younger girl's hair. The little boy looks up at me, Hello, he says in English. Hi, I respond. Fine thank you, he replies. I'm a bit confused why he said that. Later I find out that what I have been taught as "hi/hello" in Swahili (habari) functions as a greeting and also asks "how are you?". George thinks that behind the building will be a good spot for a comprehensive view of Mathare Valley, but then quickly realizes that where we were before was much better. We climb back up the steps and the little boy runs after us. I vaguely hear him say something, but I can't make it out. George points and says, This is all Mathare Valley. Over there too? I ask - even though I know the answer, but it is obvious that George is proud of his home and that it is immense. Kenyans all seem to deceive their age, but it is clear that George is quite young, perhaps the same age as the other youth in the program. He is proud and happy to share his home with me. I feel very welcomed, and want to demonstrate my appreciation of his time and openess.
We return to one of the entrances to the slum, close to where we de-boarded the Matatu. George opens and goes through a wooden doorway; I follow. It opens up to an open grassy area. About ten feet after the door is a shack made with scrap metal corrugated sheeting. Inside are about seven young people - well, at this point they are all young men -two in a pair, a group of three talking quitely in Swahili, and two are sitting on their own texting. I go around to greet them. I am a bit unsure about my barely existent Swahili. I say “hi” to the first young gentleman, in English. Then tells me his name, and we shake hands. In my self-conscious state I forget to return the greeting not telling him my name but simply moving on to the next person. Though I correct my mistake with the second young man and say, I'm Nicole. By the third student, I've gathered my confidence and greet him with "Habari" and follow up with "I'm Nicole".
Some of the handshakes are long, I just smile and continue shaking until they let go. George steps out for a moment and the students become more animated. Several ask my name again and where I am from - which is confusing to explain. Because I mention that I live in Chile last - after stating that I am American - they stick with Chile, maybe this is because there aren't usually volunteers from Latin America. One young man knows Chile well - a big soccer fan - in fact he knows about Chile because he loves the Argentinean team. Later on, in confidence, he tells me that he really doesn't like Messi, the Argentinean soccer player, but in spite of that he's a big fan. They ask about the weather in Chile; "It's in the south. Is it summer there?" one young man asks. I tell them that when I left it was 35 degrees Celsius – they all nod their heads, agreeing that yes indeed it is summer in Chile.
More students start trickling in, and each one greets me first, since I am strategically placed right next to the door - total accident, but it served me well. They then make their way around to all of their peers. Some receive more exciting and/or complex handshakes than others. After they have greeted everyone, they take their seats and chat with their friends in Swahili. I try to make out words, but on day 2, this is difficult. One girl sits alone, not because she doesn't have friends, but because she is waiting for someone, a boy in particular. I realize this later - once the session is over - when everyone leaves the meeting room to socialize outside. I really want to talk to her because during the debate (more on that in a moment), she tried to participate several times, but the boys tended to drown her out. After the session, when I saw her intensely engaged in conversation with said boy, coyly digging her shoe into the ground, it became clear why she had been waiting on that bench before we started. There will be time to get to know her. I didn't interrupt that conversation, only observed quietly from nearby.
The debate, activity for the day's session, was lively. George asked them to think of a topic. A few sex-war topics were thrown out, then a girl said "traditional lifestyle is better than modern". The students count off 1-2-1-2 to make the teams of pro v. con.
I was well impressed with the young adults - their knowledge of current affairs, history, the environment ... There was no preparation - they separated into groups and then started with points and counter points. They discussed pollution, transportation, life expectancy, medical advances, politics ... obviously there was no fact checker, but that made it that much more impressive. Additionally it was all in English - I know that Swahili is more comfortable for them: there was one lapse into Swahili.
After the session quite a few of the students came up and introduced themselves to me. So bright and expressive. I have recently been told that they have a lot of footage - documentary of the program - that they want to edit into finished videos, but no one knows how to edit.
I welcome your thoughts and feedback. Please remember to be respectful to all who post and comment on the blog.
*I've changed all names except my own for their privacy.
These posts will be in no particular order. I have created labels so that you can navigate some of the topics for my posts from Kenya:
- Common Ground (refers to the whole project in general, this will bring up all posts starting with the first from CDG)
- Kenya-YouthProgram (posts associated with my work in the Mathare Valley with the youth group)
- Kenya-Daily (posts that touch on my personal experience here living day to day)
- Kenya-CommonGround (specific posts referring to my work on the project here in Kenya)
From the house where I am staying *George, my guide for the day and now-coworker, and I took the #40 bus to the center and then took a Matatu. I'm a bit leery to take the Matatu, mainly because I don't know if I will feel ready to take one on my own next time. A Matatu is a van (seats about 15) that is a mode of public transportation. All public transportation in Nairobi has fluctuating prices but the day before Morrison, my other guide/co-worker, told me that because I am white they may decide to charge me more. Maybe when I can defend myself in Swahili I will feel more confident with the idea of taking a Matatu by myself.
We take the #46 to Mathare Valley. Once we get our feet on the ground George announces it, "Mathare Valley Slum". We walk a bit further down the road to a building. He wants to show me a view of the entire slum. I find it unsettling that he continually uses that word. Perhaps it is because I am used to it being used in a derogatory manner, when really it is simply used to described sub-standard living, to describe the place. We walk behind the building and on the steps there are three children. The older sister is putting cornrows in the younger girl's hair. The little boy looks up at me, Hello, he says in English. Hi, I respond. Fine thank you, he replies. I'm a bit confused why he said that. Later I find out that what I have been taught as "hi/hello" in Swahili (habari) functions as a greeting and also asks "how are you?". George thinks that behind the building will be a good spot for a comprehensive view of Mathare Valley, but then quickly realizes that where we were before was much better. We climb back up the steps and the little boy runs after us. I vaguely hear him say something, but I can't make it out. George points and says, This is all Mathare Valley. Over there too? I ask - even though I know the answer, but it is obvious that George is proud of his home and that it is immense. Kenyans all seem to deceive their age, but it is clear that George is quite young, perhaps the same age as the other youth in the program. He is proud and happy to share his home with me. I feel very welcomed, and want to demonstrate my appreciation of his time and openess.
We return to one of the entrances to the slum, close to where we de-boarded the Matatu. George opens and goes through a wooden doorway; I follow. It opens up to an open grassy area. About ten feet after the door is a shack made with scrap metal corrugated sheeting. Inside are about seven young people - well, at this point they are all young men -two in a pair, a group of three talking quitely in Swahili, and two are sitting on their own texting. I go around to greet them. I am a bit unsure about my barely existent Swahili. I say “hi” to the first young gentleman, in English. Then tells me his name, and we shake hands. In my self-conscious state I forget to return the greeting not telling him my name but simply moving on to the next person. Though I correct my mistake with the second young man and say, I'm Nicole. By the third student, I've gathered my confidence and greet him with "Habari" and follow up with "I'm Nicole".
Some of the handshakes are long, I just smile and continue shaking until they let go. George steps out for a moment and the students become more animated. Several ask my name again and where I am from - which is confusing to explain. Because I mention that I live in Chile last - after stating that I am American - they stick with Chile, maybe this is because there aren't usually volunteers from Latin America. One young man knows Chile well - a big soccer fan - in fact he knows about Chile because he loves the Argentinean team. Later on, in confidence, he tells me that he really doesn't like Messi, the Argentinean soccer player, but in spite of that he's a big fan. They ask about the weather in Chile; "It's in the south. Is it summer there?" one young man asks. I tell them that when I left it was 35 degrees Celsius – they all nod their heads, agreeing that yes indeed it is summer in Chile.
More students start trickling in, and each one greets me first, since I am strategically placed right next to the door - total accident, but it served me well. They then make their way around to all of their peers. Some receive more exciting and/or complex handshakes than others. After they have greeted everyone, they take their seats and chat with their friends in Swahili. I try to make out words, but on day 2, this is difficult. One girl sits alone, not because she doesn't have friends, but because she is waiting for someone, a boy in particular. I realize this later - once the session is over - when everyone leaves the meeting room to socialize outside. I really want to talk to her because during the debate (more on that in a moment), she tried to participate several times, but the boys tended to drown her out. After the session, when I saw her intensely engaged in conversation with said boy, coyly digging her shoe into the ground, it became clear why she had been waiting on that bench before we started. There will be time to get to know her. I didn't interrupt that conversation, only observed quietly from nearby.
The debate, activity for the day's session, was lively. George asked them to think of a topic. A few sex-war topics were thrown out, then a girl said "traditional lifestyle is better than modern". The students count off 1-2-1-2 to make the teams of pro v. con.
I was well impressed with the young adults - their knowledge of current affairs, history, the environment ... There was no preparation - they separated into groups and then started with points and counter points. They discussed pollution, transportation, life expectancy, medical advances, politics ... obviously there was no fact checker, but that made it that much more impressive. Additionally it was all in English - I know that Swahili is more comfortable for them: there was one lapse into Swahili.
After the session quite a few of the students came up and introduced themselves to me. So bright and expressive. I have recently been told that they have a lot of footage - documentary of the program - that they want to edit into finished videos, but no one knows how to edit.
I welcome your thoughts and feedback. Please remember to be respectful to all who post and comment on the blog.
*I've changed all names except my own for their privacy.
Nicole Rademacher is a currently in Nairobi, Kenya until the beginning of May doing research and documentation for her current project investigating domestic ritual (made possible by the North Carolina Arts Council, USA and many private donars/patrons).
Friday, February 3, 2012
SCL CDG NBO
As some of you know in the last few months the structure of the project has changed a bit: instead of 2 months, I will be in Kenya for 3; instead of being in Osieko (Western Province) I will spend February and March in Nairobi - though in April I hope to be in a more rural area investigating and documenting surely different rituals in the country. Additionally I will be volunteering part-time with Maji Mazuri in their Youth Media Program during February and March - I start on Sunday!!! The other half of the time I will, of course, be working on Common Ground (looking for participants, building rapport with them, documenting them ...) If you know me, you know that I thrive on constantly keeping busy.
In the image is my last night's sleep - well, it was almost a whole day really. After months of non-stop fundraising, planning, organizing ... I finally got to rest in a cozy hotel during my 24-hour layover in Charles de Gaulle airport.
Right now I'm using my last 10 minutes of free internet at the airport to write this post. Hoping to convey a bit of my excitement for what I am about to embark on. Not only this project, but also the experience - culturally and personally. Thank you for giving me this opportunity. It is because of all of you that I am here. I will try to report as often as I can. Additionally my posts will be translated into Spanish and posted on MisosoAfrica (http://misosoafrica.wordpress.com/http://misosoafrica.wordpress.com/). Please repost, share, retweet ...
Warm wishes, Nicole
Nicole Rademacher is a currently in Nairobi, Kenya until the beginning of May doing research and documentation for her current project investigating domestic ritual (made possible by the North Carolina Arts Council, USA and many private donars/patrons).
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Common Ground: exploring domestic ritual in Kenya
I just did a pre-launch for an indiegogo campaign!! Check out the video, I'm super proud of it!!! And the campaign is now in OFFICIAL LAUNCH MODE.
Help me GET THERE!! Join in the fun by contributing (I have a heirarchy of "perks" set up for monetary donations - you should note that my project is sponsored by Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. So contributions to support Common Ground are tax-deductible!!) and/or spreading the word.
JUST GO CRAZY! and send share this post, post/tag/comment in facebook, tweet about it ...
Other ways you can help is to get the word out there: word of mouth is the best!!
- Visit my website: nicolerademacher.com
- Like me on Facebook: facebook.com/nic.
rademacher - if you haven't already ;) - Tweet about the project and follow me on twitter: @nicrademacher
- Follow this blog: nicolerademacher.
blogspot.com (I know, silly to post it here, but just in case) - Join the my mailing list to stay up-to-date on the progress of the project and my work!
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!!
Friday, October 14, 2011
Taller Clik
VE Global Blog Post
I know, I have to make you work a bit to see it, but in the meantime, I will leave you with some nice imagery made by these super amazingly creative kids that I work with:
I know, I have to make you work a bit to see it, but in the meantime, I will leave you with some nice imagery made by these super amazingly creative kids that I work with:
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Last Saturday I went to a march here, in Santiago, in support of stopping the construction of the HydroAysén in Chilean Patagonia. If you don't know what I am talking about I would tell you check out the New York Times, but from what I can tell (way down here) there has been little coverage of it in the States. Instead I'll suggest IPS News; fact there is an article that just came out today.
I took my camera with me, obviously - prepared for the worst. The protests here are usually riddled with destruction ... and tear gas. But surprisingly (and perhaps because so many children attended), it was peaceful (well, that is until night fell and the families left, but still there was less destruction than normal).
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
For sometime I have always loved playgrounds, taking pictures of playgrounds, cross-processing pictures of playgrounds - empty ones - at night... The other day I started bringing my camera with me to the plaza where I take Fu twice a day. One day this dog showed up and behind came a girl calling him "manchas" (spots). When I thought about what "manchas" are I thought it was really cute and then I thought about the translation and I thought, "well, not original, but at least it sounds more eloquent.
She started climbing on the bars where I was taking decidedly boring photos but enjoying myself nonetheless. We had a long discussion about the monkey bars - one of my favorites as well.
I snapped this at the beginning of our discussion. The colors are rich and it is as if she is in the middle of a kip or perhaps she is just floating.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
in FotoLandia ...
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Monday, May 31, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Residency at the Cité
Mati and I have an artist residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris this May and June.
Our project is vague. I mean, I figure that is ok, since the point is to develop the project during the residency and it will take more form between now and then and during then and after then.
Shall I copy and paste the proposal (in French)? Why the hell not:
Nous avons tous les deux un fort intérêt pour la communication et les méthodes de communication. Nous allons confronter nos idées et notre vision sur la perception et la réalité de la communication. En étudiant la façon dont les couples internationaux (c'est-à-dire les couples qui sont originaires de différents pays) surmontent la difficulté d'une communication simple et / ou des questions culturelles, notre idée n'est pas nécessairement de faire un documentaire, mais d'obtenir plein d'informations sur ce sujet à partir desquels nous pourrons construire notre exposition de retour à Santiago.
En outre, nous avons l'accord d'un couple, franco-américain (ayant des racines cubaines et mexicaines),qui vit actuellement à Paris.
This couple I speak of in the proposal, they don't really know that we are going to "study" them, and, honestly, I haven't decided if we should tell them or not (they are, obviously, friends of mine).
So, as vague as it is, we have started a blog (you can either click on the link on the left side panel or just click on the word blog - the latter or the former). Need I repeat that the project is in its infancy? Probably not, I have been pretty redundant about that - perhaps I am feeling inadequate. Oh well. Or should I say: tant pis.
The flights haven't been bought yet, but soon, yes soon. The residency is slated for May 3rd - June 28th. Ah, Paris in the springtime...
I no us preocupáis, esperem fer un viatge cap a BCN. Només cal treure una raó del no-res, vull dir una raó per "treball" és a dir del projecte. (Yes, google translate had to help me. Damn my català is so rusty, sigh)
Our project is vague. I mean, I figure that is ok, since the point is to develop the project during the residency and it will take more form between now and then and during then and after then.
Shall I copy and paste the proposal (in French)? Why the hell not:
Nous avons tous les deux un fort intérêt pour la communication et les méthodes de communication. Nous allons confronter nos idées et notre vision sur la perception et la réalité de la communication. En étudiant la façon dont les couples internationaux (c'est-à-dire les couples qui sont originaires de différents pays) surmontent la difficulté d'une communication simple et / ou des questions culturelles, notre idée n'est pas nécessairement de faire un documentaire, mais d'obtenir plein d'informations sur ce sujet à partir desquels nous pourrons construire notre exposition de retour à Santiago.
En outre, nous avons l'accord d'un couple, franco-américain (ayant des racines cubaines et mexicaines),qui vit actuellement à Paris.
This couple I speak of in the proposal, they don't really know that we are going to "study" them, and, honestly, I haven't decided if we should tell them or not (they are, obviously, friends of mine).
So, as vague as it is, we have started a blog (you can either click on the link on the left side panel or just click on the word blog - the latter or the former). Need I repeat that the project is in its infancy? Probably not, I have been pretty redundant about that - perhaps I am feeling inadequate. Oh well. Or should I say: tant pis.
The flights haven't been bought yet, but soon, yes soon. The residency is slated for May 3rd - June 28th. Ah, Paris in the springtime...
I no us preocupáis, esperem fer un viatge cap a BCN. Només cal treure una raó del no-res, vull dir una raó per "treball" és a dir del projecte. (Yes, google translate had to help me. Damn my català is so rusty, sigh)
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Thinking in photos
Media is like languages. For some time I have been in VideoLandia: everything I thought came out in video. Soon I visited BookLandia (and would subsequently live between the two). Now I have returned to PhotoLandia, maybe just for a visit. Perhaps I will make a mountain home here.
Here are a few thoughts from PhotoLandia:
Maybe one day they will form a community so that I will not have to change currency every time I cross a border.
Here are a few thoughts from PhotoLandia:
Maybe one day they will form a community so that I will not have to change currency every time I cross a border.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Streaming Festival
Walk with me is a part of the Streaming Festival which is "streaming" online from now until October 26 at 00.00 hours GMT. My video is a part of the In the loop program. It says: No need for an end when you can loop and start all over!I thought that was fantastic! You may need to download a program in order to view the videos. Click on the image to your left to go to the program page. What the whole program or separate videos. Check it out!!
Thursday, November 1, 2007
more research and shooting
tueday was expecting mother and her mother day.
i think the most valuable from the day i spent with them will be the audio. there were references to the expening mother's childhood and her current husband and the workings of their relationship as a household team and how they are planning to manage the baby. the action was mostly, once again, making dinner.
wedensday i went to the video data bank: ximena cuevas, guillero gomez-pena, darrin martin, woman performance art . . . lots of ideas, thoughts, ways of looking, and shooting.
a lot of what i am getting from these interactions is understanding how the roles function. between brother-sister, mother-daughter, . . . field work, if you will.
today. thursday. food poisoning. i think that carrot and ginger soup from au bon pain downtown was the culprtit. the family should be home again tonight . . .
i think the most valuable from the day i spent with them will be the audio. there were references to the expening mother's childhood and her current husband and the workings of their relationship as a household team and how they are planning to manage the baby. the action was mostly, once again, making dinner.
wedensday i went to the video data bank: ximena cuevas, guillero gomez-pena, darrin martin, woman performance art . . . lots of ideas, thoughts, ways of looking, and shooting.
a lot of what i am getting from these interactions is understanding how the roles function. between brother-sister, mother-daughter, . . . field work, if you will.
today. thursday. food poisoning. i think that carrot and ginger soup from au bon pain downtown was the culprtit. the family should be home again tonight . . .
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