The New Museum

It has been about 3 weeks since my visit to the New Museum of Contemporary Art. The experience still resonates and is relevant. As such, it has clearly become a part of my process and making.

The space affected me first. Having just come from MOMA where I felt condensed, congested, and rushed the New Museum was a drink of fresh water. I immediately felt calm and energized. The juke-box played someone’s favorite song, and curious minds, interested in more than museum-row status-quo, surrounded me. It was in this space that I rode the elevator to the 3rd floor and stepped into a mirrored world of Urs Fischer’s creation.

Wish You Were Here

 

Standing Ovation

 

Wish You Were Here 

January 9, 2010

Seven Stages

Featuring: Jon Goode and Theresa Davis

In a conversation with Kodac Harrison before the opening of the show, I expressed my naive desire for it to be perfect. In response he offered, “I doubt it will be perfect, but maybe it will be better than perfect.” And so it was, wonderfully human and honest, a simple balance of wit, sorrow, and insight. There was nothing perfect about the event. The occasional lights were off cue, a few lines were lost, voices cracked and then cried. At times awkward, Theresa and Jon were never perfect, in fact, they had the gall to be themselves and it was beautiful. 

Sometimes, there are moments when success is so deserved, so honest, and so right that the excitement, intensity, and strength of it is felt by everyone present. With Jon Goode and Theresa Davis, theirs is this kind of success.

show

I presented my work a Eyedrum’s Show and Tell – I haven’t felt that comfortable in eons. I was in my element, talking about my work, engaging an audience that is informed, and in truth – performing. It was the best 15 minutes I have spent. The art committee I presented my work to seems incredible receptive and excited about what I am doing. So much so, that 3 days later they offered me an opportunity to show my work.

All I know right now is that the topic of the show is discourses in gender and that my work fits into this. Also, Mondohomo will be happening simultaneously during part of the exhibit. The dates are May 19- June 26. 

I assume that Eyedrum is interested in me exhibiting Woman Mat in some capacity or another. I am looking forward to collaborating on this installation with photographer and sculptor, Lea Bennett. More to come about this!

 

Photo: Lea Bennett

 

 

Starting all over again

I spent the weekend at our family home in Floyd, Virginia. I read voraciously about 20th century art in order to prepare for a talk I’m giving on Tuesday. My objective is to situate my work in Contemporary Art, and to identify the dialog that my work is engaging in.

Leaving the studio for 4 days was difficult, but allowed me a needed respite as well as time for study and reflection. The theme of performance is surfacing in my work, and Nell Ruby has encouraged me to pursue this concept further.  

Today I cleaned my walls and feel at the brink of something new.

There is something always liberating about letting go.

benefits of communal space

I’ve been thinking so much about painting lately, and I have been questioning my desires to paint  - where they originate from or are they valid? Painting seems so dated – so “old school” , and unrelated to contemporary art. So today when my studio mate and fellow Agnes Scott woman, Stephanie Keichian, told me that painting is bad-ass, I was brought back to reality. I love to paint, for one, because it is a literal extension of myself. Who cares if it seems passe? I paint well, and if I’m not painting – the only thing standing in the way is myself.

Today I am glad that I have a shared studio space and am surrounded by so many intelligent women.