Learners and speakers of Welsh, can you help? 
 
We are pairing native Welsh speakers with learners of the language, to help reinterpret a historic art performance.
 
In 1968, the German artist Joseph Beuys, gave an hour long performance. The words “Ja”, and “Nein” were repeated for the entire 60 minutes!
Some of the audience left. Some laughed. Some fell into a trance to his melodic tones. 
Beuys went on to become renowned in the   avant-garde.

Yes and No in Welsh?
Bueys was fascinated by the Celtic countries. As we mark the 100th anniversary of Beuys’ birth - how should we consider this work in Wales?
The six Celtic languages do not use single words for “Yes” or “No”. One answers according to the context and tense. 
To native speakers this comes naturally.
But learners of Welsh often answer with words for, “OK”, “Sure”, or, “No Thanks”, to avoid on the spot conjugation calculations.

Help the project – Have some fun!
If you’re learning to speak Welsh, or a Welsh speaker already, we wander if you could help?
So, we are pairing native Welsh speakers with learners of the language, to reinterpret Beuys’s performance – in any way anyone may wish.
Either filmed via Skype or Zoom, or in person if Covid rules allow face to face meeting.
Everyone’s contrition’s will be edited into a final film and shown online and in Wales and Germany in May 2021.
Please contact: [email protected]


Who was Joseph Beuys?
Regarded as one of the most influential artists of the second half of the 20th century. A leading member of the ‘Fluxus’ group whos collaborators also included Yoko Ono and John Cale. Beuys’ provocative and ground-breaking works have had a huge influence on contemporary art.
2021 is the 100th anniversary of his birth
For more info on Bueys: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Beuys

What is NWK?
Neue Walisische Kunst (NWK) (New Art Wales) is an art group founded in 2020.
The group holds provocative arts events, makes short films, publishes manifestos and hands out membership cards.
Inspired by the 1960s-70s experimental art movement Fluxus and avant-garde artistes such as Joseph Beuys and the provocative film directors Christoph Schlingensief. Both Germans and the group uses the German language on their name and in their activities, along with English and Welsh.
NWK website: https://deutsch-walisische-freundschaft.jimdosite.com/neue-walisische-kunst/