“When a person is lucky enough to live inside a story, to live inside an imaginary world, the pains of this world disappear. For as long as the story goes on, reality no longer exists.”
Stories serve many purposes in our lives. Sometimes they transmit important information, or they hand down traditions through generations. But stories can also allow for escape. And sometimes, escape is exactly what we need. Stepping outside the confines of our daily lives, or even moving beyond the realm of reality, can be a thoroughly healing and self-caring act. Whether you prefer stories that pack an intellectual punch or a pulpy beach read, there’s no such thing as a wrong answer when it comes to diving into a bit of fiction.
Jimena Velarde-Alvarez joined us recently to talk about La Sombra del tiempo, her show at Margot Samel, which runs until August 28. The work began as a series when Velarde-Alvarez was going through her personal diaries. As she sifted through, reflecting on experience and how things shift over time, the process of layering to erase as well as provide legibility came forward. Petals added to the pieces represent the ephemeral nature of words. To learn more, listen to the complete interview.
Joyce Weidenaar spoke with us in 2025 about her exhibition Flying Colors at Pleiades Gallery, featuring single-edition monoprints on paper created with an acrylic plate and soy-based ink. Her vibrant works emerge through an experimental layering process in which she blocks portions of the plate with objects, then runs it through the press again without them, creating ghostly, unpredictable impressions. By reusing the same materials in different configurations, Weidenaar embraces chance and variation, allowing each print to develop its own unique character. Listen to the complete interview to learn more about her work and process.
A Few Words to Keep in Your Pocket.
What are some stories that help you step beyond your day-to-day?
Outings.
Join me at Derek Eller Gallery for Melissa Brown’s Window Shopping
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 Amy Spitzer is reading Buckeye by Patrick Ryan.
Opportunities.
Discover AMAZÓNICA 2026, a four-week international residency in Iquitos, Peru, connecting artists with Amazonian biodiversity, Indigenous communities, culture, and decolonial practice. For more details, visit the website. Deadline is August 31.