Christopher Engdahl about Sweet & Tender Collaborations
Where do they meet?
They meet in smaller or bigger groups at the events they organize. Their first year they met while doing small projects in Portugal, Greece, Serbia, and Germany. They rarely, if ever, meet all together, due to lack of funding and time. I think they communicate regularly via email.
Who is the leader and does everyone share his/her vision?
They don't have any centralized organization but the form of organization differs from time to time depending on in which context it's organized and who does it. They say that they strive for acknowledging every individual's requests and/or ideas.
Where does their money come from?
Each individual member applies for funding for themselves in their respective native country and from other companies/organizations.
Do they do what they say that they do?
Their work is visible through their organized events throughout the world.
How do they differ from a group therapy?
I guess a group therapy has the outspoken aim to care for/support the individuals' mental health, while Sweet & Tender does not have that goal.
Why are you interested in their activity?
My friend Pavlos Kountouriotis talked about them as they started their activity back in 2006/2007. I got interested in it due to its international engagement where they could aid each other across national borders and with the aid of Internet communication. They are organized in a decentralized manner which appeals to me, where centralization and control is consciously avoided.
The name of the emerging artists' initiative you were talking about and the one you are part of:
I was talking about Sweet and Tender (www.sweetandtender.org).
I'm part of Swedance.
