Since applying for Kalk Kunst in June, I have been so focused on the works I promised to have ready to show that I haven't shared much of the process. I won't disappoint by a creating a long-winded catch-up post just now because, unsurprisingly, the work is still in progress and I have another self-imposed deadline looming close. So, onward.
The project, of course, is Limette, a graphic memoir being drawn in real time as well as digging into the events of the past five years to answer the question I hear most - how did I ever end up moving to Germany? You can download the preview zine here, in both German and English, and join the FRAU HASS FANCLUB for updates as they come. I conceptualized this project after so many of my musings during and after Friday Night Comics dealt with the stress and wonder of everyday living as a doctoral student, parent and immigrant in Cologne.
Kalk Kunst is a locally organized group show highlighting the talented creators as well as many small businesses, community services and nonprofits here in our Veedel through turning places like cafes, storage containers, harm-reduction centers, falafel joints and the local library branch into individual exhibit spaces for the duration of the exhibition. An opening night gathered highlights from the participants into one space in the Abenteuerhalle Kalk, an indoor gym that my kids were absolutely THRILLED to hang out in while we set up.
After opening night, the works moved to their respective exhibit spaces, and I was so happy that I was assigned to a place I already know and love, Bambule Kaffebar. This past Thursday (a pleasant distraction from Thanksgiving for this homesick US-ian), part one of the two-session Kunstspaziergang (Art Walk) took us through the neighborhood and a selection of the works, providing me the opportunity to present Limette to a group of my colleagues and neighbors. Overall, they all seemed pretty psyched that I was writing about our neighborhood and my (mostly unsuccessful) attempts to integrate into German society, rather than offended or annoyed, as I was a little worried they might have been. Here's what I showed and a few shots of the space.
If you read the text of Limette, it will come as no surprise that I struggle with my decision to have moved abroad, a 14 hour plane trip away from my family and friends and giant drive-thru iced coffees and good tacos at every corner. I don't know if I'll ever feel at home here or make something of my own the way I thought I could, but I remain, despite hurt feelings and misunderstanding, really impressed with this city and all of the creative community building that folks are working so hard to realize. If nothing else, I'm glad to have been some small part of it.
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