Arts Lab 6.0: Salma ElGendy - Month 6

We’re almost at the finish line now.

It always surprises me how far away the previous month seems when I start writing the current month’s report. At this point, the first month feels like a lifetime away.

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I started this month by continuing work on the quilt, while also preparing for three exhibitions/workshops at the French Institute in Iași. Those three days were intense and hectic, but they really reinforced my belief that we’re an incredibly efficient bunch!

I also managed to finish the quilt, and I’m really proud of it! Seeing everyone’s small contributions come together into one big canvas of creativity was so rewarding, and I’m grateful to have been the one to—literally—piece it all together.

I was a bit stressed about running the workshops alongside the exhibition, but thankfully, the participants really enjoyed them. The only downside was that the artworks themselves didn’t seem to get much attention—it felt more like a caravan than an actual exhibition. That said, the space was really nice, and I still enjoyed exhibiting there.

Oh, and they gifted us little note/sketchbooks and earpods at the end, which was a nice surprise!

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After the events at the French Institute, we had a quick meeting before Mihaela left, since she was going to be out of office until the day before the Cucuteni exhibition and wanted to plan ahead.

Working on my personal artwork was EXHAUSTING—but just as rewarding. I think everyone really put their absolute best into this one.

I set up a small workspace in a corner, turning it into a makeshift ceramic studio with all the tools and clay, since the freezing weather made working in the unheated studio impractical. 

This was the first time I wasn’t sure I’d finish my artwork on time, but I’m really, really proud of myself for pulling it off. I worked non-stop for three days to build all the pieces, knowing I had to finish the construction phase quickly to allow enough drying time—an even bigger challenge in damp weather, with rain pouring the entire week.

I was a bit disappointed not to find the right container for pit-firing, I exhibited the artwork only bisque-fired, but I’m currently experimenting with wash and targeted burning to create a similar effect. Hopefully, it turns out even better than I imagined!

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The days leading up to the exhibition took me back to university—those late nights before an important evaluation, with everyone working intensely. It was great sharing the space together and helping each other whenever someone needed an opinion here or a suggestion there for how the artwork could be better.

The exhibition itself was incredible, and everyone’s pieces were truly stunning. It felt like the perfect way to wrap up this museum chapter, with the Cucuteni exhibition as the last of the four.

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We had a much-needed break after the exhibition—everyone was completely exhausted and sleep-deprived. We looked like zombies! :’)

Ramadan also started on March 1st, and it’s my first time spending it away from my family. It definitely doesn’t feel the same, but having a good number of people here also fasting makes it feel a little more familiar.

I’ve been missing home extra lately, so I’m really looking forward to heading back in the next few days and spending some time with my family for Ramadan. Hopefully, the trip goes smoothly and helps me recharge for the final stretch of the project.

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This month, like the ones before, had its ups and downs too. Having Joshua -who we met at the midterm in Bucharest- join as a guest artist for the Cucuteni Museum was a really nice and refreshing addition, and Ella’s return was amazing news! On the downside, Saleh left the project earlier than expected, and I think we were all a bit disappointed to find out after he had already gone—we didn’t even get a proper goodbye after all the time we spent together.

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One of the things I’m really glad I did this month was finally baking! I had missed it so much, and even though I’d been meaning to bake for everyone since I got here, I rarely had the time or energy.

I made my famous toffee biscuit cake, baked some savory pastries, and finally whipped up some mouth-watering brownies. Not to brag, but they turned out really good! :’)

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It’s surreal that there’s only one month left. Honestly, I expected the final period to be more laid-back—fewer events, more paperwork, and wrapping things up—but somehow, we have one of the busiest schedules ahead of us. 

There’s a mix of events and tasks coming up, but I’m hoping things will feel a bit more relaxed as we get closer to the end. I’m also trying not to stress about everything all the time… but let’s just say it’s a work in progress.

Six months down. One more to go.

Report written by Salma ElGendy, she's from Egypt and she's one of the 14 volunteers participating in Arts Lab 6.0, a project co-funded by the European Union through the European Solidarity Corps program.