Samuel Seger
While my daughter spends the mornings at a private kindergarten, which absorbs almost my entire stipend, I use the time to work in the studio. Living and working in a relatively confined space does me a great deal of good. Many of the everyday things that would normally distract me are absent here. It is precisely these absences that open up new ways of thinking for me.
In the afternoons, I divide my time between the playground and galleries. Never before have I seen so many strong exhibitions in such a short period of time as I have here in Paris. This year, the city is particularly busy due to Art Basel, and presumably the quality of exhibitions during this period is especially high.
In the evenings, there is then more time to work or to read. I have greatly enjoyed the time spent at the Cité with my family and am grateful to have found new approaches to my work and a renewed sense of focus through the many impressions. I only achieved a real breakthrough in my work during the final month of the residency. Fortunately, there was the opportunity to extend the stay by two months, allowing me to fully inhabit and continue this productive phase.
| 1. | My stay in one word: |
| Pleasant | |
| 2. | Dos & Don’ts in this place: |
| Dos: To feel comfortable and be able to work well over the four months, it is worth acquiring things that make everyday life more pleasant and easier (such as a rug, plants, or a printer). At the end of the residency, these items can easily be given away or passed on affordably via the group chat. Don’ts: One should not expect too much support from the Cité. The team does make an effort, but since you live alongside hundreds of fellows, this is not a residency where individual needs can be addressed in depth. What truly distinguishes a stay at the Cité, however, is its perfect central location and the opportunity to connect with many fellows from a wide range of disciplines. |
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| 3. | Things I miss since I am no longer there: |
| – The vast range of museums and galleries – Having a studio to myself / time to focus on work |
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| 4. | Where to shop great supplies: |
| I relied on Boesner, Gerstaecker (Le Géant des Beaux-Arts), and Rougier & Plé. | |
| 5. | What you should definitely bring from home: |
| If you have enough space in your suitcase or car, it is advisable to bring kitchen utensils that are important to you, and tools if you need them. In addition: passport photos and an artist ID. |
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| 6. | Concerning art at this destination and where I visited the best exhibitions: |
| Alongside the many major museums of art history and contemporary art, such as the Palais de Tokyo, I saw the most interesting exhibitions at the galleries Marian Goodman and Chantal Crousel. I can also recommend making use of the proximity to London. It is easily reached by train and significantly expands one’s access to an international art programme. |
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| 7. | Around the studio – where I shop, drink coffee, and find the best lunch nearby: |
| The small supermarkets in the immediate vicinity unfortunately do not offer a wide selection of fresh vegetables. However, the basement level of the Monoprix on Rue de Rivoli has everything one might need. There are also several markets in the surrounding area. Simply stepping outside, you are surrounded by cafés, bars, restaurants, and small eateries. Directly in front of the Cité, Caféothèque serves excellent coffee. For good food, it is also worth taking Metro line 7 to Chinatown. |
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| 8. | Where I like to spend the evening (dinner, drinks, good sound, networking): |
| As I arrived with my two-year-old daughter, I mostly spent my evenings at home. | |
| 9. | What would have been useful to know before starting my residency: |
| That Studio 1441 is larger and more comfortable than it appears in the photos provided by the BMWKMS. |
Website resident: samuelseger.com