MY TRAINEESHIP IN PARIS: Andrea Moračanin

Andrea Moračanin
University of Arts in Belgrade, Faculty of Fine Arts

Erasmus+ Mobility for Traineeship at:

Atelier Michael Woolworth, Paris

Through the Erasmus+ Mobility Program, I had the opportunity to spend two months at Atelier Michael Woolworth in Paris, France. Since the seemingly uniform printmaking processes are actually highly customized in each workshop, the traineeship opportunity appeared very intriguing to me as a doctorate student at the Printmaking Department of the Faculty of Fine Arts.

Paris cultivates a unique relationship with printmaking that makes graphic studios and workshops far more prevalent and, therefore, more accessible to the general public than other European cities. There are specialized workshops that focus only on one or two printmaking techniques, ones that support all traditional printing techniques, and studios that offer artists’ residential stays or use their workspace as an exhibition venue in addition to their usual businesses. Moreover, part of the graphic studios are devoted to educational initiatives for high school students and hobbyists.

I was drawn to Atelier Michael Woolworth due to the wide range of artists they collaborate with. They are specialized in lithography techniques, as well as etchings, monotypes, and art books. The Atelier functions as a publishing house and a printmaking workshop. Furthermore, they organize several exhibitions throughout the year. Poetry nights are frequently arranged in collaboration with the association Double Change, presenting up-and-coming authors and focusing on bilingualism—that is, French and English.

Along with my regular work, which included professional printmaking production, I had the chance to interact with artists from around the globe that the Atelier collaborates with, share experiences with them, and observe their creative process—something I find particularly fascinating.

With its extensive history and rich cultural heritage, Paris is a never-ending source of knowledge, art, and cultural events. As a result, I had the chance to see the Pompidou Centre’s exhibition on surrealists and comic book history, the Pinault Collection’s Arte Povera exhibition, the Fondation Cartier’s retrospective of Ogla de Amaral, and the Fondation Louis Vuitton’s Pop Art exhibition. Along with the Museum of Modern Art’s show honoring Hans Josephsohn, the ArtBasel Paris and Paris International were followed by a variety of additional openings and artistic events, both in public spaces and private galleries.

Paris’s multiculturalism is a unique advantage that allows one to learn about the various cultures and lifestyles of people from all continents, which united in one city make the most diverse and truly authentic – Parisian culture.

I was able to grow both personally and professionally thanks to the Erasmus+ Mobility Program. Besides the opportunity to get acquainted with the greatest pieces of art history, I had the chance to see the current state of the art world up close. Having connections with artists of all ages gave me a glimpse into the tendencies of contemporary art, which unfortunately are not often available to us.

Working at the Atelier MW, apart from refining my crafting skills, provided me insight into the internal operations of a publishing house. Personally, it gave me a perspective that allowed me to examine not only my knowledge and myself objectively, but also the qualities of my surroundings—particularly the institution I come from—and, consequently, the room for enhancing and improving creative possibilities.