“We can destroy what we have written, but we cannot unwrite it.”
-Anthony Burgess, A Clockwork Orange
Words cannot be unsaid. Thoughts cannot be unthought. Once something has entered the world, although we may wish and even attempt to retract it, what’s done is done. While this is often absolutely fine, there are certainly cases when a word or deed, perhaps even a thought can be life altering. We stand at those precipices, however briefly, in the moment before something course changing breaks free, with a choice. Do we unleash whatever it is for all time, knowing somewhere deep down that once done, things will never be the same? Do we hold back? It is these moments that can shape a lifetime.
Kelly Reemsten joined us to discuss her show Focus, which ran until November 27 at Albertz Benda Gallery. The title and the work in the show touches on many things, and in fact comes from Reemsten’s process of creating this show during which she frequently reminded herself to focus on this or that. In general her work focuses on her friends and Reemsten herself and on women’s issues and the timeline of women’s rights as they arc back toward where they once were. To learn more, listen to the complete interview.
Bernd Zimmer sat down to discuss his recent show at Upsilon Gallery. The works in the exhibition are what Zimmer refers to as nature paintings, and they occupy a space that exists between landscape and abstraction. There is a particular focus on water, the element that, as Zimmer says, we need every day in order to survive. To learn more about these beautiful artworks and Zimmer himself, listen to the complete interview.
A few words to keep in your pocket
What are some of the precipices you have stood on?
Outings
Join me at Museo Reina Sofía as they collaborate with Fundació Antoni Tàpies for one of the most complete exhibitions to date of the work of Antoni Tàpies mark the centenary of his birth.
Interviews are available on iTunes as podcasts, and for Android, please click here. All weekly essay pieces are here in a shareable format. The full archive of interviews is here.
More books to read
Ours is a community of readers. Tell us what books you’re reading now by adding your titles to our reading list here. Praxis user Peter suggests Art as Art: The Selected Writings of Ad Reinhardt.
Opportunities
The Luminarts Visual Arts Fellowship awards $10,000 to one-time recipients, with additional funding and development opportunities. Finalists receive $300. For more information, visit the website. Deadline for applications is January 10.