Interview: Ashley Neese

Getting Closer Everyday, 2009. Installationsview

I was really happy that you were able to come live in the Berlin Office on a residency and do a show, here in Koh-i-noor, in Copenhagen. I think that you have a really interesting practice and that it is interesting to bring you to Europe. I´m especially interested in investigating some of the differences between relational aesthetics or social practice in California and northern Europe. Europeans tends to think that Americans are too positive and not critical enough.

I have had a wonderful time in Berlin and Copenhagen. Thank you for the invitations! For starters I want to say I do not think positivity is a bad thing! I wish there was more positivity in the world these days. I also believe it is possible to analyze something in a positive way. Personally I find work that is strictly critical, cold, uninviting and not as accessible to people outside of the art community.

You asked all the vistors of the exhibition to write a gratitude list and hang them on a wall.

What do you think about your own project? Am I right in thinking that is affirmative as opposed to critical?

You are right in thinking this project is affirmative. I try to create projects within an artistic context that the viewer or participant does not need years of art school to understand.

Getting Closer Everyday, 2009. Installationsview		Getting Closer Everyday, 2009. Installationsview

How did you come up with this project? What was your initial goal with it? (if you had one to begin with!)

I have been writing my own gratitude lists for years. When I was invited to participate in IEG for the Zero1 Biennial in San Jose, California last year I thought it would be interesting to ask festival goers to write their own gratitude lists. I knew I would be sitting in a booth for several hours and that hundreds of people would be going to this festival. I figured I had a decent shot in someone being willing to participate.

The main goal was to challenge people to think about their lives and what they have to be thankful for, in that moment. Some people thought it was difficult but most of the participants enjoyed writing the lists and commented that they were glad I asked them to take the time to think about gratitude. I would say by the number of responses I received the project was successful enough that I’ve often thought about facilitating it again. Another goal, or what I hoped might happen is participants would consider making this practice part of their everyday lives.”

I´m curious, what does your own "gratitude-list" look like?”

Today my I am grateful for: long lost friends, clean drinking water, my health, sense of purpose and belonging, the ability to speak my truth and my willingness to keep an open mind.

Getting Closer Everyday, 2009. Installationsview

I did my own list, also. And I found it both difficult and somewhat awkward to do. Maybe because it is touches some very private emotions. What do you think that people gain from making such a list?

I can see how this activity could be awkward if it is not something you done on a regular basis, or at all. That is one of the reasons I find it provocative, many people do not have a regular gratitude practice. I can speculate on what others might gain from making a gratitude list, but I will stick to what I know from my own experience. Writing a gratitude list helps me stay present with myself, reminds me when I am feeling sad and lonely that I am actually connected to everyone and everything, helps me see I am not the center of the universe nor am I all the negative thoughts in my head and it guides me to be of service to those around me which is where I find the most joy in life.

And what is the main reason or result of making it in the gallery space?

I was curious to see how this project would work in a gallery setting. When you asked me to submit some ideas for a show, Getting Closer Everyday was at the top of my list. Facilitating this project at Koh-i-noor was an interesting experience though I wonder if the gallery setting is the right place for the project. I will need to facilitate it a few more times in different places to have a definite answer!”

Thanks Ashley for visting The Berlin Office and Koh-i-noor. We look forward to seeing you again next year in Berlin.