“The world in my head has been far more real than the one outside—maybe that’s the exact definition of madness, come to think of it.” -Awaeke Emezi, Freshwater
Reality. Can we ever claim to know it truly? Those who study the brain and our perceptions will tell you that reality is a construct and that it can be easily manipulated if one only knows how. We view the entire universe through a few inches of ocular space colored by a machine whose job it is to filter our perceptions. While we may question our reality at times, it is another quite difficult task to escape our version of the world.
Jennifer Natalya Fink is working on an experimental novel titled Mischief. She is also at work on a disability memoir which explores her family lineage and dysfunction. Her book Bhopal Dance is based in the world’s worst industrial disaster that took place in 1984. The book explores themes of resistance, perpetration and queer resistance from the point of view of an imprisoned woman who considers herself a “pet” of the state. To hear more from Jennifer Natalya Fink, including a reading from Bhopal Disaster, listen to the complete interview.
Amanda Browder is an artist working all over the US. She is recently returned from Las Vegas where she was chosen to create a piece of public art. Browder’s art involves draping buildings in fabric. She works with communities, sources fabric and hosts sewing days. The building is draped for a short period of time before the piece is dismantled. Browder supports herself with her artistic endeavors having saved up enough money for a year in order to become a full time artist. She is often approached by institutions to create draped buildings – for each of these commissions Browder receives financial support and a liaison to the community. To hear more about her project in Las Vegas and what she learned from and about the community there – as well how she is funded and much more, listen to the complete interview.
A Few Words to Keep in your Pocket:
The world can only be viewed through the lens of your own mind.
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. Jennifer Natalya Fink is reading Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi. To explore books by Jennifer Natalya Fink, including Bhopal Dance, check out her website.
Photographers working in black and white are invited to submit their work to the MonoVisions Photography Awards. The 2019 Competition categories include: Abstract, Architecture, Conceptual, Fine Art, Landscapes, Nature and Wildlife, Nude, People, Photojournalism, Portrait, Street Photography and Travel. Photographers are invited to choose two of these in which to enter their work. There are cash prizes for black and white photo series of the year as well as black and white photo of the year. For full details and to enter, visit the website. Deadline is May 12.
Deadlines
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 the forthcoming Succeed with Social Media Like a Creative Genius.
Signed and doodled copies of these books can be purchased from Praxis Center.
Golden Artist Colors began publishing the Just Paint newsletter in 1989, a source for information about painting techniques, product information, and the latest research in art materials. Now online, JustPaint.org has become one of the most exhaustive resources for technical information in fine art. With the new Just Paint Experience, GOLDEN is expanding the concept to provide artists with quick-reading, studio-oriented content to help bring their visions to life.
When you subscribe to Just Paint Experience (free), you’ll receive access to exclusive content. GOLDEN will also notify you whenever there is new content added to the site.