20th November...

Today, was a very moving and touching day for me. I met Karol (whom directs this residency) for the first time. It was so great to meet him, and really interesting finding out why he started the Bridge Gaurd project. It's such a romantic and beautiful idea, bringing scientists and artists to a place where a new bridge has been built, to guard this bridge in a psychic or imaginary way. I know when i discovered this opportunity i thought it sounded quite wonderful. And to listened to this man talking about this dream of his. His connection to the place and his enthusiasm for life and art was very inspiring and touching. Later we met Gjuri, (whom helps run the residency, in a practical way...as he lives here). We meet at the Jewish cemetery here. Both Karol and Gjuri, explained to me their Jewish roots. Many of the stones had dates which stopped at 1945. And i realised that it was because of the war. This took my breath away. I asked Gjuri what happened to his family, he explained that his Grandfather went to Auschwitz and his father narrowly escaped. His father helped forge fake documents in Budapest and saved many lives. I later talk to Karol and his father died in Auschwitz. I was so taken aback by this, and realised that maybe the bridge guard project, is maybe some kind of tribute to the sadness of these times. A positive way of remembering the past, and responding to a bridge, which was last destroyed in world war 2. Later we go to the christian cemetery, and we see a grave stone donated to someone by the association of dear protectors for someone. This reminds me of something from Monty Python and makes me giggle. I spend the rest of the day. Feeling very quiet and contemplative and so very very happy to be here and part of something so special. I am so thankful to Karol. And I hope my work is a worthy tribute to this place, this past and to his dream...