Artist Josue Pellot at Fundament Studio, Tilburg

Young artist Josue Pellot (Puerto Rico) lives and works in Chicago (US). After a short visit to Tilburg Josue applied for the residence program of Fundament Studio as soon as the program set off earlier this year. The month May 2007 Josue resided as a guest artist in Tilburg.

Josue Pellot at Fundament Studio  

What were your expectations about the residence period, concerning your artistic practice and development?

Coming in I had ideas for work I wanted to execute during my stay, as well as project planning and paintings I wanted to begin and then complete in my studio in Chicago. But these expectations changed within the first week of the residency because I realized a single month wasn’t going to be enough time to resolve my ideas and complete my work. Instead I concentrated on taking extensive notes to formalize my project planning (one of which, an installation/performance piece, is already taking shape in Puerto Rico) and experimented with different mediums unfamiliar to me, such as digital photography montage. I also experienced the city and its culture quite thoroughly, mostly by bike. I’m always surprised what I can find when I think I’m lost.

Joshue Pellot  

How did you relate to the temporary context of the city and the studio, people and new

contacts?

It worked out well. I wish I could have stayed another two months to really get a better understanding of how the city functions. Of course I was thankful to have the time that I did, but in one month you retain the perspectives of a visitor and haven’t quite absorbed the native mindset. I also would have liked to have further explored the youth culture as well as the vast communities of immigrants. Much of my work is about being culturally out of context and it was interesting to me to encounter situations where I had no common frame of reference with the people I encountered. Trying to order at a Greek restaurant without speaking Greek or Dutch was an interesting challenge, a lot of pointing goes on. But I was able to see other marginalized groups, and the ‘mousaka’ was excellent.

Joshue Pellot  

Did you get surprised in any ways?

Well, getting served coffee at the movies in a porcelain cup and saucer was something I wasn’t expecting! It reminded me that even the smallest things can be ceremonial and have meaning. When I got home, I gave the cup to my mother as a gift – I told her I paid 60 euros for it. I was also surprised to have met many people from the Dominican Republic – I didn’t expect to encounter many fellow people from the Caribbean. Finally, Holland’s commitment to recycling and the system you’ve developed for it is very impressive. It’s another great example of the progressive attitude of the country.

What is the result or conclusion of this working period for you?

I essentially hold a Master’s Degree in “making stuff”, so as an artist and someone with bills to pay I had arrived at a point where every piece I make has to count for something – I’m always cognizant of how a piece needs to benefit me in terms of both exposure and finance. This residency allowed me not only to experience a new city but also allowed me to divorce myself from those expectations. I was able to use Tillburg as a place to simply “make stuff” without the context of my next exhibition or grant proposal. I enjoyed an intellectual and creative freedom I do not have the luxury of here at home. And all that biking means I’ll look good in a swimsuit this summer.

Pool Bericht #7

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