“There are four good things worth practicing. Being kind toward everything alive. Staying level and steady. Feeling happy for any creature anywhere that is happy. And remembering that any suffering is also yours.” -Richard Powers, Bewilderment
We live in a time and culture where incessant noise in every form has a tendency to distract us from what really counts. In fact, it is the very aim of much of that noise to do exactly that. Whether to quell our boredom, direct us to purchase more and more in an endless quest to become someone we can never really name, or to gain attention or power for the untold numbers creating content all day every day, it can be a real challenge to break through and remember the basics. But when it comes down to it, does anyone really reflect back on their life and wish they’d had just one more handbag, watched a few more hours of television, or scrolled away more time? Or do we, at our very core, know that the words of Richard Powers ring true – that there are only a few things that truly, truly matter, and if we can work toward getting these right, maybe the rest will begin to show itself for the hollow promises they are.
Jenna Gribbon joined us to talk about Projections, her upcoming exhibition at David Kordansky Gallery running from November 6 – December 19 as well as a current survey show at the Rose Art Museum at Brandeis entitled Entwined. To hear about the work in both, listen to the complete interview.
Loren Erdrich recently chatted with us about The Echo, her show at Shrine Gallery running until December 5. The work in this show departs from some of her past exhibitions in that Erdrich includes more sculptural works than paintings. While she has shown her sculptural work in Europe, this is the first time she has dedicated a U.S. show primarily to the medium. To learn more, listen to the complete interview.
A Few Words to Keep in Your Pocket.
What is one thing you can do today that really matters?
Outings.
Join me at Baxter Street Gallery for Dean Majd’s Hard Feelings.
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 Rita is reading Little Big Man by Thomas Berger
Opportunities.
LMCC’s 2027 Manhattan Arts Grants are open to Manhattan-based artists, collectives, and nonprofits across all disciplines and backgrounds seeking project funding. Learn about all opportunities at the website. Deadline for applications is November 12.