Reverse Rehearsals: Phase One

Nathan Lynch and I co-curated an exhibition that I'm really excited about called Reverse Rehearsals, at Southern Exposure. We were working with the idea of reverse engineering a play (sans the play). The project was iterative, happening in three stages involving 13 fantastic artists and writers. 

We started by inviting artists Patrick Gillespie, Terry Berlier and Julie Henson to build "sets" in the space. The only guidelines were that other artists and writers would engage with their "sets" in some 

Next, artists Weston Teruya, Maria Porges and Jenene Nagy built "props for the sets.

And finally, 7 writers were invited to respond to the completed installations. The entire project culminated with an amazing evening of readings in the space. The writers were Dodie Bellamy, Victoria Gannon, Susan Gevirtz, Kari Marboe, Pam Martin, Kyle Metzner and Michael Swaine.

Here are some install shots of the first stage...!

Kala Fellowship

Last year I was honored to be one of the 2011 Kala Fellows along with eight other amazing artists: Randy Colosky, Alison OK Frost, Seth Koen, Vanessa Marsh, Sandra Ono, Francesca Pastine, Lauren Rice and Gail Wight.  The exhibition was up July 19-Sep 15 and Vanessa, Sandra, Gail and I gave an artist talk on Sep 15.

Below are some in progress shots of the residency works!

Pro Arts 2x2 Solos: Wafaa Yasin

I was invited to write a catalog essay about my dear friend and colleague, the talented artist Wafaa Yasin. Wafaa was selected to participate in Pro Arts' 2x2 Solos series, which is a yearly pairing of emerging artists and curators. The exhibition was an ambitious example of Wafaa's poignant political video work. You can download a pdf of the catalog here.

Making a Scene at SOEX

Way back in Oct 2012, I wrote a catalog piece for Torreya Cumming's project Strange Familiars (or Non-Daguerreian Anti-Portrait Studio for Local Types) at Southern Exposure. Torreya's project was one of three in an exhibition called Making a Scene.  You can download the whole pub here!

Inside the Artist's Studio: Chris Vargas

In March, I was invited to write a profile of Chris E. Vargas who was named Yerba Buena Center for the Art's inaugural Community Engagement Artist-in-Resident. I also got to be on the jury panel for this amazing award. Chris' project and work in general is so smart and relevant. It was such a pleasure to be able to spend some time with him in his studio before he, sadly, moved from the Bay. Chris' work can be seen here and you can read the piece here.

Only A Signal Shown

In the summer of 2012 I joined the Southern Exposure Curatorial Committee. Souther Exposure is a fantastic alternative arts organization in San Francisco and the curatorial committee consists of a rotating crew of around eight artists.

I had an excellent time organizing my first program at SOEX called Only a Signal Shown. A handful of the curators each programmed a one week video exhibition as a part of a month and half long exhibition focusing on video. 

My portion of the exhibition (Feb 15-21), to my great honor, included the fantastic work of Weston Teruya, Ranu Mukherjee, Skye Thorstenson and Mik Gaspay.

Inside the Artist's Studio

Over the past couple of years, I've had the great pleasure of writing a profile series called Inside the Artist's Studio focused on the practices of interdisciplinary artists, for Art Practical. These artists have been generous enough to invite me into their studios and give hours of their time as I poke and prod into their lives and work.  These sorts of interviews have been immeasurably fulfilling for me as it affords me the opportunity to see more than just what an artist makes but why, how and who is behind the work.

We also get to talk about all the other things that make up an artistic practice, from day jobs and families to the works that never make it to the gallery or that aren't art at all.

Matthew Gordon is a sheer force when it comes to prioritizing his art and writing practice in the face of day jobs and distractions of life.

Jackie Im curator-artist-writer-editor extraordinaire may singlehandedly recreate the art world.

And Jaime Cortez whose commitment to non-profit arts funding is as inspiring as his art and writing practice.