As the curator of the second exhibition in Nanjing, the workshop of Manel Esparbe will not be a formal workshop. The process of making an exhibition goes through various stages, starting with the conception of an idea. This is followed by a process of changes, research of possibilities and development of the concept. It is a zigzag route where nothing is defined, where options and changes are part of the routine. Chance, last moment discoveries and trying to define the border of what is realistically possible are part of this process. It is a process that includes the risk of failure, and the strength, courage and imagination to avoid failure. It is also a process of being practical, of searching for ways to visualise what you have in mind. It is a process that ends minutes before the actual opening of the exhibition. The ‘workshop’ about making an exhibition will not be a workshop with a teacher explaining the structure and method of making an exhibition. It will be a practical workshop, where students will be invited to think about the possibilities and to participate in the process of actually making an exhibition. Making an exhibition includes a lot of work, a lot of imagination and the willingness to be flexible. The lessons are learned in practice, not in theory. They are not learned in an official structure or in a classroom. Exhibitions are made with the space you have, the artists you have, the budget you have, and, most important of all, the energy you have.

Students that are willing to face a challenge are welcome to assist Manel Esparbe in creating the final exhibition of ‘The Big Communication’:

Dear Rik,
THE BIG COMMUNICATION PRESENTS : UNDER CONSTRUCTION

This title clearly captures the potential of the joined NAI/DAI exposition in Nanjing I feel very honored that I will be curating this exhibition. As you know I make use of architectural implants to create a sensorial metaphor of art contents. In this particular Nanjing case, the different cultures that are to be acquainted with one another, haven’t yet met, and similarly, the works that are to be shown aren’t yet made either. The outcome, therefore, remains speculative. For this reason I want to create an exhibition where this social-cultural atmosphere, in which this process of work & communication still in progress ­or ‘Under Construction’- becomes the central aspect.

My suggestion is to implant an open bamboo construction within the exhibition space (similar to those seen in constructions sights where buildings are being build or undergo restorations) with multiple floor levels and stairs.
This open construction should cover a big part of the original exhibition space in such a way that you see different speeds and worlds come together.
Meaning that the selected works from the workshops will be shown through out the exhibition space and also in parts where the architectural bamboo implants create new rooms.

With this, the work of the participants come together as one changing organism. The audience experiences the works from different angels and levels ­The whole exhibition is in progress -like a big city under construction.
Sincerely, Manel Esparbé i Gasca