“The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that stands in the way. Some see nature all ridicule and deformity… and some scarce see nature at all. But to the eyes of the man of imagination, nature is imagination itself.”
-William Blake
Humanity marches ever forward, paving over the ways of the past, forgetting the teachings of those whose lives were connected to and depended on the land. Our cities teem with more and more people – by one estimate, an additional one million people will pour into cities every five or six days from now until 2100. Our close quarters mean many things – a constant demand for industry to feed, house, clothe and provide all the necessities – and luxuries – these millions need. But as our species blooms to bursting, we smother nature, the ultimate provider, snipping back her tendrils in favor of high rises and parking lots.
Rafael Perez Evans spoke with us in October from Cordova, Spain. He was there involved in a research residency as well as preparing for a gallery exhibit. The theme of his work is “touching earth” and Evans uses his process to help him ease anxieties about the conditions of southern Spain and southern Europe. His work explores the darker side of modernity, those left behind while the world progresses forward. Agriculture in southern Spain is a focus. Evans is the first of his family to “escape” the agricultural profession – a cousin who also escaped still has a small plot of land whereon he installed surveillance cameras to catch thieves who stole his produce. To hear how this is reflected in his work, and more from Rafael Perez Evans, listen to the complete interview.
Ichiro Irie is a busy working artist and curator. For the last few years, he has worked on his own works – ink drawings of junk yards as well as art that incorporates all manner of found objects. Since February of 2019, Irie and a colleague have been collaboratively organizing an artist run art fair in Mexico City. The fair will recommence in February of 2020. Irie has been organizing shows for as long as he has been an artist so this naturally progressed to curation. Today this is a large part of his work. In 2001, he went to Mexico City on a Fulbright Scholarship which led to his first professional art show. To hear more from Ichiro Irie, including the details of his backyard art gallery called Jaus, listen to the complete interview.
A Few Words to Keep in your Pocket:
Leave room for the earth so that we may not forget the very nature that gave us 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 here.
Books to Read
What are you reading? Add your titles to our reading list here. Rafael Perez Evans is reading Constructing the Pluriverse by Walter Mignolo. Ichiro Irie has been taking classes in entertainment design, including one at a local college called Prop and Vehicle Design.
East by Northeast Literary Magazine publishes work by new and emerging artists. Visual art and photography that is bold and innovative will be considered for publication. For more information, visit the website. There is no deadline and no fee to submit.
Deadlines
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.