“This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang but a whimper.” -T.S. Eliot
Perhaps this isn’t the end of the world, but there certainly do seem to be some important changes afoot. For many months we have decried the gloom of pandemic, the loss and despair – but what of the changes that could put us on a path to a more enlightened future? They say that every darkness has its dawn, that there are silver linings behind dark clouds – perhaps this is true. We mustn’t discount the tremendous losses that the world has sustained. But we also mustn’t let go of all hope.
Desi Mundo spoke to us a second time – we first connected with him in March as the pandemic was beginning to take hold. This time we spoke about teaching art from a distance about which Desi Mundo said he has to figure out how that will work. His time has been taken up with a mural project but the time has come for him to begin shaping the year ahead at the charter school where he teaches. For the first four weeks of the school year, students will participate in full-time distance learning before the plan is re-evaluated. Consistency is key in teaching, but during this time when the method of instruction is in constant flux, that is difficult if not impossible to achieve. To hear more about this important conversation that touches on some deep and complex issues facing teachers, parents and students, and to hear Desi Mundo’s plans for this initial distance learning phase, listen to the complete interview.
Jamie Martinez also spoke to us previously back in October 2019. Last time we discussed his work and this time we took a deeper dive into The Border Project Space which is a non-political gallery space where immigrant artists can show their work. Martinez opened the roughly 200 sq ft space about two years ago. There he does show the work of some American artists, but the bulk of the exhibitions are dedicated to the work of immigrant artists. The space itself is in Brooklyn. There is a fresh spontaneity to the shows that happen in this space – often Martinez doesn’t himself know the theme for the next exhibition until it is nearly time to open. Through the Border Project Space, Martinez hopes to create a place where those from other countries and cultures can feel at home in a gallery space. To hear more about The Border Project Space, including a discussion of the criteria considered for the artists who exhibit there and how shows come together, listen to the complete interview. Special note – keep an eye on the Border Space Project Instagram for an autumn open call.
A Few Words to Keep in your Pocket:
The world – and human society – have changed many times over as the earth spins on.
Interviews are available on iTunes as podcasts, and for Android please click here. All weekly essay pieces in a shareable format are here. The full archive of interviews here.
Books to Read
What are you reading? Add your titles to our reading list here. Desi Mundo has been booked up working on a mural and has found that documentaries are more his speed during this busy time. One such documentary is Futbolistas presented by KQED. Jamie Martinez is reading The Popol Vuh by Anonymous, translated by Michael Bazzett.
Deadlines
F.E.A.S.T 2020 at VisArts invites artists to create proposals that consider A More Than Human World. Objectives of this call include: restoring active relationships with a wider community that includes animals, plants, natural objects, patterns and phenomena; cultivating many-sided experiences; joining diverse partners for inclusive investigations and generating empathy and engagement. For complete information about this open call, visit the website. Deadline for proposals is August 30.
Weekly Edited Grant and Residency Deadlines – review the list here.
Brainard Carey is an author, artist and educator. He is the director of Praxis Center for Aesthetics. He has written six books for artists; Making it in the Art World, New Markets for Artists, The Art World Demystified, Fund Your Dreams Like a Creative Genius, Sell Online Like a Creative Genius and Succeed with Social Media Like a Creative Genius.