This past Thursday, I ventured from downtown Manhattan all the way uptown, to Buttenwieser Hall at the 92nd Street Y for Creative Time’s presentation on Global Residency. As a nonprofit arts organization, Creative Time has always sponsored artist based projects and initiatives and now offers residency opportunities on a global level. Established in 2010, the residency gives an artist a particular window of time to investigate a question relevant to his/her practice. Having a strong interest in globalization and contemporary cultural examination, I was eager to hear each participant speak and expound on their distinct project. After an introduction by Creative Time President and Artistic Director, Anne Pasternak, the artists, including Maya Lin, Emily Jacir, Sanford Biggers, K8 Hardy, Swoon, and Walid Raad, commenced upon 15 minute presentations.

Oranges don’t fall from the sky
Emily Jacir, multi-disciplinary (mostly video/sound) artist, posed the question “What is left of the Left” and traveled throughout a diversified Italy in order to attempt to discover if there is a convergence between Italy’s political past and political present. She conducted interviews in both English and Italian and spoke to native Italians representing various generations, as well as immigrants who for the last several years have been crossing from nearby boarders in search of employment opportunities.

A Feminism Without Women
K8 Hardy, posed the question “How has the spread of gay and lesbian liberation impacted the feminist and punk subcultures in Chile?” Working in performance, film and video K8 Hardy ventured to South America, along with a companion to seek out the LGBT Community which she found is public and present throughout social space and appears to have become more acquiescent, post gay and women’s liberation, due to an empowerment of Chilean youth who have succeeded in radical change within the education system. Her presentation was the longest (having gone over the allotted time), and addressed issues of pop-culture and sub-culture including Chilean all girl punk bands such as Femicido Banda.

“How can artists participate in rebuilding a community that has suffered tremendous loss?”
Swoon, who I was so happy to see in person-the woman behind the wheatpaste-has traveled to Haiti in the attempt of offering artistic collaboration in communities that have been torn apart post-earthquake. She is one of the founding members of Konbit Shelter and has consulted with architects in order to construct sustainable, economic structures that will play a part in rebuilding that which has been lost. The materials are earth based so costs are much lower and are made to be earthquake resistant. As Swoon stated, the project is all about an architect, an artist and a family and seeks to form human connections in the both internal and external process of what it means to build a home.

Good energy and all about the artists!

More soon
xo