At the end of April we held the VARES spring exhibition, where Ola Lewczyk, Ben Weir and the artist duo DE JENZ showcased their work done during the residency. Here are some snippets of DE JENZ‘s installation:
When DE JENZ (Vibeke Jensen & Santiago De Waele) arrived in Valga they knew they wanted to work with the local youth and community to create an informal meeting place. The abandoned Kreisi jail in the centre of town caught their attention. Contact was established with the municipality who gave them a green light, and Valga Gymnasium whose students expressed the wish for a place to see movies. During their first visit to the space students came up with the name WABA WANGLA, and immediately started visualising an unconventional response to stimulate free thinking.
DE JENZ harvested used and leftover materials at the closed-down kindergarten and bankrupt furniture factory, and many kind people donated unused mirrors so the project could engage Valga’s youth in taking over the old jail and making it their hangout.
WABA WANGLA features a cleaned up yard where flowers and edibles are planted and events can take place. The entrance is expanded to welcome people in through the hallway where students have made a graffiti wall. Inside, an organically shaped tunnel introduces a different modus operandi and a possible escape from society’s expectations through a periscope. Three platforms provide informal seating on different levels for movie screenings or other events. Inside the space you have a good view of the yard through a strategically placed mirror so you can see who’s coming and what’s going on outside.
Photos by DE JENZ.
The project is supported by the Nordic Culture Point Residency fund.
