“What happens with you when you begin to feel uneasy, unsettled, queasy? Notice the panic, notice when you instantly grab for something.” -Pema Chödrön, When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times
In those moments when we feel we might break, when our hearts and minds are so heavy and full that we don’t know how we’ll bear it – what can we do? For so many of us, the answer is to remove ourselves from the pain immediately. Turn it down, numb it, make it go away. But what if, instead of disappearing at the first sign of distress, we leaned in to see how things go? This is always an option, though certainly never the preferred or easy one. But it is something we can begin practicing. And just like everything else in life, we won’t be experts right away. In fact, we probably never will. But that is not reason not to keep it up.
Julien Gardair joined us to discuss his dual show alongside his wife, Melanie Vote. Concurrence runs until November 3 at Garvey|Simon Gallery and features a pairing of the couple’s works side by side. Melanie creates representational work, often painting en plein air. Meanwhile, Julien’s work often speaks to the ruins of modernity and is inspired from within. To learn more, listen to the complete interview.
Laura Whitcomb spoke to us about the show Astrocultural Messenger, on view at Andrew Edlin Gallery until October 28. Whitcomb curated this exhibition of the works of Paulina Peavy. There are two rooms of work in the exhibition. In one, a dramatically lit space, masks are displayed. These were Peavy’s ceremonial way of engaging with Lacomo, a disembodied entity who served as her guide. To learn more, listen to the complete interview.
A few words to keep in your pocket
Consider sitting with the hardest parts of life.
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 is here.
Books to Read
What are you reading? Add your titles to our reading list here. Praxis user Ana de portela is reading Why Orwell Matters by Christopher Hitchens.
Moab Arts Reuse Residency invites artists to apply for an experience in which today’s waste-making culture is challenged through the intersection of art, community and waste systems. To learn more, visit the website. Deadline for applications is October 31.
Brainard Carey is an author, artist and educator. He is the director of Praxis for Aesthetics. He has written six books for artists, most recently Making it in the Art World.