Taking Care of What You're Doing: Practical solutions in easy language – Vanessa Brazeau, Stefan Klein, Paloma Sanchez-Palencia, Lena Skrabs (Berlin)

It is not uncommon to observe an imbalance between how art institutions present themselves to the outside world and the actual work practice within their structures. Based on their own, often frustrating experiences in cooperation with art institutions in Berlin and internationally, Vanessa Brazeau, Stefan Klein, Paloma Sanchez-Palencia and Lena Skrabs developed the idea of working on a manual with simple practical solutions to be applied by institutions and by individuals in their daily life.

Interviews with employees from various art and cultural institutions on questions of mindfulness and care in their own practice are the basis for this manual. It is intended to combine structural considerations and guidelines as well as everyday instructions for a mindful and attentive work practice. Just like Mierle Ladermann Ukeles did with “Hartford Wash: Washing, Tracks, Maintenance - Outside and Inside”, they dedicate themselves to those parts of work and action in the art business that are less obvious or visible to the outside - the processes that make things and relations work. Our gaze is drawn to the ‘between the lines’, the ‘behind the scenes’, the interpersonal aspects of work or other actions. The manual aims to combine structural thoughts and guidelines on how to consider and be mindful of care in practice – whether it be in work structures or in private life. A broad but constructive hint at art institutions as well as for private persons to rethink and question their actions.

Structured as a draft, it’s less seen as a manifesto and more as an ongoing process that is open to an unlearning process. A fluid model – both during the research process, but also in a constant discursive shift throughout practical implementation and re-evaluation.
This draft is considered a lasting model which visualizes the continuous revision and active unlearning process of one's own actions. It aims to encourage users to adapt and re-work its content.

By: Vanessa Brazeau, Stefan Klein, Paloma Sanchez-Palencia & Lena Skrabs. Illustration: Francis Ortega. Support and Inspiration: Charlotte Arens, Duygo Örs, George Perec, Katharina Koch, Ki Hyun Park, Lorenzo Sandoval, Mierele Laderman Ukeles, Sophya Frohberg, The Watch (Jean-Ulrick Désert, Franziska Koenig- Paratore, Dominique Hurth, Marcela Moraga, Irina Novarese and Jo Zahn), Sylvia Sadzinski

The Manual was developed in August 2021 during an artist residency at The Watch in Berlin in cooperation with Alpha nova & Galerie Futura.