Readings:

Too Close to See: Notes on Friendship, A Conversation with Johan Frederik Hartle by Celine Condorelli and Support Structures: An Interview with Mark Cousins by Celine Condorelli

How would you define a ‘support structure’?

A skeleton-like structure designed purely for the function of providing support to another structure. Often with no beauty incorporated into its design.

What are some examples of ‘support structures’? Physical, political, conceptual, etc.

A physical support structure is something like scaffolding and buttresses, political support structure could be a government party or voters/supporters. Conceptual support structures anything that is committed to keeping something upright.

What are some conditions or requirements for a structure to be considered a support?

Has a positive impact, is second in priority, committed to the success of the structure.

What is the relationship between the supporter and the supported?

I would say that it is a partnership designed to uplift one by relying on the other.

How might we connected the format of the texts (as conversations) to her notions of support?

Conversation is relationship/friendship which is a support structure in itself. 

What is Condorelli’s creative practice?

Installation artist

Can you identify the threads of connection between her writing and her making? What are they?

Both her writing and making cause you to look at things from a new perspective and reflect on the relationship between things and the result of that relationship.

She identifies ‘friendship’ as having a political dimension. What does she mean by this? How does she discuss this in the text?

I think she means that in friendship you are invested in a certain outcome and are both rooting for that same outcome. Much like politics where you both want the same thing so work together to achieve success to create change or strengthen a way of life.

How would you define ‘friendship’? What about ‘solidarity’?

I would define friendship as a mutual appreciation for each other, the enjoyment of their company and companionship and an investment into their success and wellbeing. I would define solidarity as the reliance on yourself only and the commitment to one way of thinking.