> Official Swedish art institution IASPIS

> disregarding their contract with John Duncan.

> URGENT NEED FOR MORAL SUPPORT:

>

>

> -Dear collagues, artists, friends and collaborators around the world.

> We have a serious problem in Stockholm, Sweden and we need your support.

>

> The internationally acclaimed experimental contemporary artist

> John Duncan was invited to Sweden by IASPIS (International Artist s Studio

> Program In Sweden), on recommendation by curator CM von Hausswolff,

> to live and work here for a period of six months. John Duncan had planned

> and started working on several collaborations, concerts, lectures and a

> major exhibition to take place at Fargfabriken. IASPIS supported his work

> in Sweden with a studio, an apartment and money enough for John to make

> his living in Stockholm for the six-month period. The experimental art

> community in Stockholm was happy to have John here a guest.

>

> Until Friday the 1st of February, when the IASPIS board of directors

> suddenly decided to change their mind, breaking the contract with Duncan,

> because of the so-called "problematic nature" of "Blind Date", an artwork

> performed by him in 1980.

>

> We are outraged at the way an official art institution has arbitrarily

> decided to treat an internationally acclaimed guest artist!

> We are seriously concerned about how this will affect the future life of

> art in Sweden.

>

> Will every official guest have their artistic history examinated for

> possible "problematic" works before being accepted?

> Will only the artists whose work upsets no one receive official support?

> These and several other questions are now being discussed among artists in

> Stockholm, while the tabloid press is hunting Duncan to comment on a work

> he did 20

> years ago.

>

> IASPIS has arrogantly decided to expel him -- but as John Duncan has

> already begun work in Stockholm, it is not possible for him to simply

> leave Sweden immediately. In defiance of IASPIS' actions, the Swedish art

> community has decided to take over the responsibilities that IASPIS is now

> attempting to avoid. We, Duncan's friends and collagues, are in a

> situation where we are forced to find money, support and places for him to

> stay while he finishes the work he came here to complete, as the flagship

> art institution of Sweden has seriously betrayed John Duncan and all

> artists that it is entrusted to support.

>

> In hope of your support, Stockholm 02 - 02 - 13

> Ingrid Engarås, performance artist and organizer

> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

-----

>

> HOW?

>

> YOU can support John Duncan and the Stockholm experimental art community

> by complaining to IASPIS about their misbehaivior against John Duncan.

> You are also welcome to spread this letter to people who might care, all

> around the world.

>

> Anyone not familiar with Duncan's work is invited to study his artistic

> background at http://www.johnduncan.org

> IASPIS did not even make the effort to read it before inviting him, and

> now they expect him to suffer the consequences of their negligence.

>

> Simply copy the protest letter below, or write your own comment.

> Send your message to IASPIS director Sara Arrhenius (sa@...).

>

> -------------------------------------------------





"We, the undersigned artists, curators and cultural workers, seriously

question the decision taken by the board of directors at IASPIS,

concerning the abrupt termination of the Stockholm visit of the internationally

acclaimed artist John Duncan.

>

Duncan was invited to Stockholm by IASPIS to work and stay as an artist in

residence for a period of six months. His performances and concerts, at

Fylkingen and Färgfabriken so far, have deeply affected and inspired

several Swedish artists to develop their experimentation in the fields of

sound and performance art.

Several respected artists living in Stockholm were looking forward to a

spring with even more opportunities to experience the powerfully dynamic

works of John Duncan. Artists and cultural workers in Stockholm were glad

and thankful for the generosity and support shown by IASPIS for inviting
Duncan, among

others, to inspire and develope the vital Swedish scene of experimental

contemporary arts.

>

The reason given for the termination is that IASPIS suddenly became aware

of "Blind Date", an artwork performed by Duncan more than 20 years ago.

"Blind Date" were performed during a time when the artist were researching

the extremes of human behaivior, social taboos and the very limits of his

expressions, especially in the areas of death and sexuality. Duncan has

in no way hidden his history of extreme experimentation, to IASPIS or anyone

else. Over the years he has openly discussed his works in lectures, as

well as in interviews in a variety of respected European, Japanese and US

publications.

>

Duncan was invited to Stockholm to work with his contemporary art,

especially in the field of soundart.

This is exactly what he was doing, in full cooperation with the IASPIS

staff, when his residency was unjustly terminated. His collaboratory

soundwork

"Palace of Mind" (Allquestions) was released recently on CD and has

claimed a

place of its own as a highlight of contemporary experimental music

innovation.

>

We think it's unacceptable to judge anyone for activities performed 20

years ago, which have no relation whatsoever to the activities that Duncan

is currently pursuing in Stockholm. We find it an embarrassment to the

Stockholm art community that IASPIS has chosen to arbitrarily disregard

their contract long after it's been agreed upon by both parties, in fact

several months after Duncan has been working here. Their insulting

disregard of Duncan's rights makes the entire Stockholm art community seem

as weak and fearful of their jobs as the IASPIS board of directors have

shown themselves to be in the eyes of our international colleagues around

the world. Their actions also raise serious doubts about the treatment

that all present and future invited artists can expect from the IASPIS

program.

>

We ask the IASPIS board of directors to reconsider their decision in a

mature and serious manner, and not to behave like bureaucrats in panic for

their positions.

Grant him the full stipend that IASPIS is legally obligated to pay, which

he needs in order to survive in Stockholm while finishing the work he came

here to do."



Your name, profession, country & email







Send your message to IASPIS director Sara Arrhenius (sa@...).