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Radio Rotondes, in collaboration with Radio ARA #8 Witnessing & Learning
“We try to tell human stories to other humans.”
In this episode we speak with Karolina Markiewicz and Pascal Piron, an artist duo who combine cinema, theatre, visual arts, writing and virtual reality in their works. The purpose of their work is to share important stories, stories that make them think, that they want to make sense of, and that they want to learn from. Through their work they want to build a community of lucid humans, around the themes of migration, exile and refugees. Even though they deal with difficult and complex topics in their work, their artistic approach remains playful, because it is a way for them to try, experiment, test and learn new things. It’s a serious game, as they like to say, in which the artist’s role is to listen, to bring the spotlight on important stories and to reveal the humans hidden behind our news feeds.
Then, as the theme of refugees is central to Karolina’s and Pascal’s work, we present a non-profit organisation that works in this field. Mir wëllen iech ons Heemecht weisen is a non-profit that organises cultural activities to promote encounters between refugees and Luxembourg residents to contribute to the integration of refugees.
We close the show with two creative prompts.
Our guests:
Karolina Markiewicz and Pascal Piron
Karolina Markiewicz and Pascal Piron are a multidisciplinary artist couple who have been working together since 2013. Each of them was already an artist before they met. Pascal was a painter and Karolina worked in cinema and theatre. Their work now combines film, virtual reality, writing, visual arts and theatre. They are also both teachers. When they first met, they noticed that the young refugees and undocumented migrants they had encountered in their classes had made a lasting impression on them. That’s why they try to give young refugees a voice through their work. Their first short film, Les formidables, shows several young refugees who share their stories and explain that they did not choose to come to Luxembourg. Since that short, they have created several works dealing with the themes of refugees, migration and exile. What their works have in common is that they share stories of humans with other humans. Stories that are need to be told, heard and felt by others because they bring up important questions and reflections. (photo: Mike Zenari)
They currently have a solo exhibition at the Casino Luxembourg called Stronger than memory and weaker than dewdrops (18.09 — 28.11.21). The exhibition revolves around memory and the mythology around migration. Their work My identity is this expanse is also part of this exhibition. It is a virtual reality experience based on the experience of a young refugee they’ve met. This young man spent part of his trip, of his escape, in a box of vegetables in a truck. To calm himself down and survive this experience, he recited poems to himself. They tried to recreate this experience in their work.
They are also part of a collective exhibition at the Mudam called Freigeister. Fragments of an art scene in Luxembourg and beyond (13.11.21 — 27.02.22). During this exhibition they will present a work in virtual reality that deals with the impact of the pandemic on artists. They’ve collected testimonials from artists and friends all over the world, discussing how they see the future.
2:18 — 1:01:46 to listen to the interview. The interview is in French.
To learn more about Karolina Markiewicz and Pascal Piron
Featured creative space
Mir wëllen iech ons Heemecht weisen was founded in 2015 when a large number of refugees suddenly arrived in Luxembourg. Its mission is to promote the integration of refugees in Luxembourg through various cultural activities which allow refugees to meet Luxembourg residents. Usually Ons Heemecht offers a large number of activities: creative workshops, cooking workshops, jam sessions, dancing classes, cultural outings, support for municipalities in their integration activities, etc. Since the pandemic, its activities have been limited to cultural outings in small groups to see a play, a film, an exhibition or a concert. (photos: Mir wëllen iech ons Heemecht weisen)
To listen to the interview (1:01:51 — 1:22:02). The interview was given in French.
To learn more about Mir wëllen iech ons Heemecht weisen
Creative prompt
Pascal suggests that we break away from our routines, that we do things differently, to discover new ways of doing things and to question ourselves. Karolina suggests that we listen to the stories of others and share them in our creations.
Both also remind us to make mistakes because our mistakes are part of the creative process.
On the right, you can see my own creation. I just tried to draw without lifting my pen for once. I would love to see yours! You can send them in per email at email hidden; JavaScript is required
1:22:05 – 1:25:09 to listen to the creative prompt. The creative prompt is given in French.
Mentioned during this episode
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