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Signs
in dialogue is an art project intended |
Signs in dialogue in Lund was a joint venture between the artist Kerstin Jakobsson, the Cathedral of Lund and the Diosece of Lund. |
What a fantastic ideá A presentation of the response to Signs in dialogue in the Cathedral of Lund, June 2006 The project in Lund - an artperformance and a textile image Bare and dark golden, the 850 year old cathedral meets man with history and silence. As bare as all humans are in their inner sanctums in front of God. This was the artists theme for her piece of art for the Cathedral of Lund, named "With this sign - hear my prayer". When the image was half done, she moved it to the cathedral to continue her work as an art performance. During this time the public was invited to become co creators. Each participant gave a sign to the piece of art, representing a symbolic imprint of their most personal inner space. Even the most awkward of symbols was thus worth the greatest of respect wich was reflected by the artistic qualities in choice of material and expression. The art work is made of hand woven linen with embroideries in silk, linen and wool. The work will be completed during the fall of 2006 and have the dimensions 185 cm by 210 cm. |
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Realisation A simplistic scene was created, well visible in the middle of the church. The few attributes, in the form of furniture and clothing, was anchored to the historic room through color and material in order to create a serene and open athmosphere. The location in the church room worked very well. When the visitors sat down by the embroidery table, they virtually left all others behind. Infront of them was an open and peaceful space, up and towards the high altar. |
The visitors reactions The reception was incredibly positive. 212 persons from all corners of the world gave a personal sign to the piece of art. Hundreds of others talked together with the artist about the project. All expressed the same emotion 'What a fantastic idea!' Humankinds width of variation was expressed both through the choice of symbols and in the ways they choose to share their inner thoughts. Many were deeply touched by the possibility of expressing themselves through a work of art. Inhabitants of Lund, having read about the project in the local news, arrived with well prepared scetches. Tourists passing through attached their presence in time and space with spontaneity and surprised joy. Many wished to take part in the project to be able to express a positive world fellowship beyond differences in beliefs and origin. The combination of participation and individuality was the main reason so many opted to take part. |
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Participating texts
I picked a sign of eternity where
we all are parts of a joint chain
with both dark and light moments
in our lives.
Gunilla
The inevitable song of praise.
Anonymous man
The unfinished leaf, still unfolding.
Cordelia
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What a peaceful experience. Gina |
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Since I do not intend to lose hope due to severe illness, I embroider the symbol of the anchor. I always have hope left. Ingrid |
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Before you Lord, we, the children of the world comes. Lord, hear our prayer. Sigbritt |
Thank you for lifes colossal strength. The insignificant in the magnificent. The magnificent in the insignificant. Anonymous |
![]() Photo: Pontus Tideman |
Signs in dialogue in brief The art project was initiated by the artist Kerstin Jakobsson. The pilot project in the Cathedral of Lund during June of 2006, was a joint venture between the artist, the Cathedral of Lund and the Diocese of Lund. The artist was active in the cathedral for 13 days (66 hours). During the art performance, 212 visitors participated with one sign each. Additional hundreds of visitors talked together with the artist about the project. All participants did their own scetches of the signs they donated to the piece of art. Approximately 25 per cent of the participants did their own embroidery while the remainder of the participants delegated the actual embroidery to the artist. Approximately 80 per cent of the participants were women. All ages were represented. Tourists fromabout 10 different countries took part. 133 participants choosed to write down the thoughts they attached about their personal sign in the book. |
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The artists reflexions The time in the Cathedral of Lund was intense and filled with meetings. Some signs were made in silent fellowship, while other participants wished to share their deepest thougts about signs that had been part of their lives for a long time. I particularly recollect a woman from Denmark who visited the cathedral as a tourist and then could not let go of the thoughts of the project. After two weeks she traveled the long way back to Lund in order to, in deepest gratitude before God, deliver a joyful remembrance of her husband. |
Signs in dialogue allows people to visualise themselves as spiritual beings in a positive world fellowship beyond differences in beliefs and origin.
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Manifesto for Signs in dialogue When one lights a candle in church, together witha a prayer or a greeting, mans innermost dialogue with God takes shape. The artist Kerstin Jakobsson wishes to visualize this short moment of presence together with the public in the art project ”Signs in dialogue”. The artist creates a piece of art in textile, interpreting the meeting between the sacred room and its visitors. During a period of this creation she works 'on stage' in the stillnes of the church, inviting visitors to become co creators. They are welcome to add a simple sign to the piece of art, with the same direction of thought as they have when they light a candle in the church. They will also be given the opportunity to write down thoughts in an adjacent book. The signs and the texts will give shape to mans strive towards the elusive. |
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