The book: «Who makes the pattern on the Mackerel» – has come as a result of my own performance work, photos from around the world, the lecture «Mitt liv som lærebok» and several years of teaching on different levels. There have also been repeated requests, over the years, from the audiences for a book like this.
It contains photos of performances, with short complementary texts – which can be used as a guide to a new and wider perspective of most things that occur in our everyday lives. One will be able to see oneself and the world differently, which may help make life fuller and more exciting. Even if this book is a documentation my life and career as a performance artist, it is also meant to be an inspiration to you, as the reader.
Creative and artistic skills are often unappreciated, in society, as well as within the school system, and may therefore often remain unused. Through creating consciousness and by inspiring to action, this book may make it easier to believe in the ideas that come to you, and let you act them out – without worries of what others may think of you. This can often be quite a threshold to cross, because we are afraid to stand out of a crowd, or of doing something unexpected. Have faith in the creative source within yourself!
«Every human being is an artist» was said by Joseph Beuys.
This book might also teach you how to communicate in new ways, and to see the pictures, made by you and the people around you, more clearly – through colours, sound, smell, taste, touch, as well as objects and symbols – in stead of words. Open up, so that you become aware of yourself and your surroundings. Not least the most amazing happenings in life, the unexpected coincidences, and the magic in all that has been created, in the world and in nature. When you – if you wish to make new statements with colours, objects etc, new, unexpected and positive sides of yourself can/may reveal themselves: You may become able to dare to show more of whom you are, how you feel about things, and possibly become inspired into taking a different, more active and conscious part in and control of your own life!
Through my artwork, with humour and seriousness I hope and believe that this book will bring pleasure and be suitable for EVERYONE, no matter situation or age. I also wish that it can be of use as a slightly different self-realization book, and even inspire and lead to more creativity among politicians and in the business world.
Imagine a beautiful day in May. Dandelions appear here and there. You dress in something with a bright yellow – and strong green colour, and go out and pick a dandelion or two...
Good luck!
Liv Reidun