Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Fade

“So obscure are the greatest events, as some take for granted any hearsay, whatever its source, others turn truth into falsehood, and both errors find encouragement with posterity.” -Tacitus

How will future generations observe our moment – this time we are living right now which feels so vivid and unusual to us will blur, the edges fading as the decades and centuries soften so many things. War, famine, the fall of nations, all are remembered but few are still mourned hundreds and thousands of years hence. They are looked upon as curiosities, fascinations, something to be remembered in the pages of a book. So too will the present with all our intimacies and uncertainties, be washed out by the ravages of time.

Erik Beehn lives and works in Las Vegas. Currently he maintains a private studio practice as well as running a printing press publishing house from his studio called Test Site Projects. The onset of the pandemic gave him time to catch up on projects for the publishing house and a chance to reflect more than make. At the same time, Beehn is working on a series of new paintings that are more personal than his typical work which he says is a result of this quarantine-induced reflection. Trained as a photographer, the medium has always influenced his paintings. About five years ago he began depicting found images and this continues into his current series, co-mingling with more personal layers. To hear more about his work and more, listen to the complete interview.

Elise Ferguson recently delivered a number of works on paper for an upcoming gallery show. Many of the pieces were ones she didn’t have the chance to finish until the pandemic opened up her time. As there is still a global pandemic, the show itself will be a hybrid of online viewing and the opportunity to make an appointment to see the work in person. Ferguson plans to produce a short companion video about her studio practice and the meaning behind the work to complement the show. She feels this is a more honest way to explain her process than a written document which she says would not be her strength. To hear more about Elise Ferguson’s work including her process and background, right down to the way in which the color combinations her mother wore in the late 70s/early 80s influences her artistic aesthetic today, listen to the complete interview.

A Few Words to Keep in your Pocket:

Every moment lived feels quite opaque to whomever lives it but will fade to the translucency of history before long.

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. Erik Beehn talked about the book Composition in Retrospect by John Cage. Elise Ferguson is reading essays of late, some about artist Emma Kunz among others.

Deadlines

Craft Futures Fund directs resources to those working in craft-based education programs. The program runs until October, distributing one time, unrestricted grants of $5,000 for a total of $30,000/month. Check the website for more information. This is a time-restricted fund.

 

Weekly Edited Grant and Residency Deadlines – review the list here.

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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.

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