Dear F,

Thank you for this project. 1 Since the Autorésidences program, we’re finally a few days away from going to print! I remember the initial idea: to reflect upon the effects of the pandemic event… as the thing that mostly isolated us. In my opinion, on the contrary, this issue brings us together and closer. L and I are touched by the generosity and complexity of the contributors’ texts and are delighted by the intertwined presence of AXENÉO7 herein. 2

I hope that those who read it, who know neither our stories nor our places, will be able to experience a little bit of that connection; that intimacy that I myself felt while reading it.

Thank you so much! Please also pass on my thanks to all those involved in this issue of Le Merle!

Warm wishes,
M.A.

  1. This publication was produced as part of the Autoresidencies, an residency program initiated by AXENÉO7 from May 2020. Conducted remotely, this program was able to support the research and development of several artistic projects led by visual artists during the pandemic.→
  2. Established in 1983, AXENÉO7 is an artist-run centre dedicated to advocating, promoting, and exhibiting visual arts while fostering critical discourse around them. It serves as a gathering place for sharing and experimentation.Through a thoughtfully curated program, it strives to expand the boundaries of artistic practice and presentation, as well as enhance artists’ conditions for production.→