I curated a show: Sense of Self at Xchange Gallery at The Arts Exchange

Aaah! I did a thing I've never done before and curated a show with 6 artists, only half of whom actually live in Atlanta.  Pretty pumped for the opening in two weeks.  More updated, particularly during my first time installing a show with other people's works, as time progresses.  Info about the artists and show below.

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Sense of Self features the work of six artists: Elaine Alibrandi, Elyse Defoor, Elnaz Javani, Kelly Kristin Jones, Grace Needleman, and Iman Person. Through diverse mediums the artists explore the impacts of society, culture, and community on identity and varying ideas of womanhood. Each artist approaches these themes differently, whether exploring their own relationship to the world outside themselves, a specific community's concept of womanhood, or observing general perceptions on the idea of women.

The Arts Exchange Gallery Hours:
Xchange Gallery Thursday through Saturday, 1­5 pm
750 Kalb Street, SE
Atlanta, Georgia 30312

Contact to view by appointment:
404­624­4211 Jessica Caldas
jessica.r.caldas@gmail.com

The Artists:

Elaine Alibrandi graduated from Massachusetts College of Art in in 1981, studied at the New England School of Art and Design, and is currently based in Boston. She finds inspiration for much of her work from nature and female imagery, both of which to her express strength and vulnerability, power, mystery, and creative potential. Alibrandi is also influenced by her lifelong activism for women's rights. While creating art gives her the freedom to express herself personally, politically, and socially, the various media she employs seem to transcend cultural and linguistic barriers.

Elyse Defoor is a multi­disciplinary artist who is inspired by a person’s connection to their inner spirit and unconscious world. From this passionate inspiration, she produces artwork that can be both bold and mysterious yet often playful. Her drawings, paintings, photography and large scale installations have gained international recognition and national exposure. More recently, a collection of over fifty worn wedding dresses has become the basis of an ongoing series of installations, exhibitions and photographs entitled "Relics of Marriage". As Defoor continues to explore the many forms, both hidden and exposed, of the feminine body and spirit, "Shed 6" is a work from the series "After Ever After" which incorporates sculpture and photography.

Elnaz Javani is an Iranian visual artist whose work examines violence, identity and gender issues that underpin her daily life and experiences. She creates sculpture, drawings, photography and installation with
different materials such as fabric, thread, photo and sound .She is studying Master of Fine Arts at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from Tehran Art University.

Kelly Kristin Jones is an Atlanta­based artist who earned her MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Jonesʼ relationship to photography is flexible as she explores community and culture through photographic documentation influenced by performance and a post­internet approach. Jones is the recipient
of a number of awards including the MINT Gallery Leap Year Artist Award (2013), the James Weinstein Memorial Fellowship (2012), The Union League & Civic Arts Foundation Prize (2012) and the Municipal Art League Fellowship (2012).

Grace Needleman is a Chicago­ based artist and educator. Her work questions the meaning and experience of belonging. Through collage, she animates the characters, myths, symbols, and rituals of her family and communities As a teaching artist, she works with the Teen Creative Agency of the Museum of
Contemporary Art Chicago and other youth across the city to explore questions of art in society, participation and invitation, and the museum. She received her MA in Contemporary Art Theory from Goldsmiths and her BA in fine art from Yale University.

Needleman’s work is a collaboration with Elisa Gonzalez, who writes poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. She is a current M.F.A. student in poetry at New York University and a 2011 graduate of Yale University with a B.A. in English.

Iman Person is a visual artist based in the Atlanta area. Her use of found materials and environmental consciousness breaths heavy in her work and creates a hybrid reality between physical, ethereal and metaphysical realms. In 2010 she received her B.F.A from Georgia State University and has shown in numerous exhibitions since. She has become a fixture in the Atlanta arts community both in the exhibition
sphere and in public art arenas. She is a member of the Atlanta based collective, Dashboard Coop, is a Hambidge fellow and one of twelve Walthall fellows for 2013­2014.

Doing something different: Teaching a workshop!

Apologies for my woefully outdated blog.

To bring myself back into focus, here, I thought I'd share my upcoming workshop at MINT Gallery (the lovely hosts of my current, and soon to be ending, Leap Year Residency).  Scoutmob reached out to MINT with the idea of hosting a workshop series in October.  Lead by local emerging artists, folks will be able to sign up each week to learn a different skill.  Aubrey Longley-Cook, Chelsea Raflo, Ashley Anderson, Evereman, and I will all be teaching.

I'm teaching flagbooks, which seemed the easiest and most appropriate thing to share with folks in the highly limited time frame (only two hours).

Scoutmob's well written re-write of my idea:

"Wednesday, October 30: Flagbooks with Jessica CaldasThough Jessica primarily works as a printmaker creating large-format narratives like these, her appreciation for all things hands-on and process-oriented extends beyond the printer to the book arts, which she describes as a close cousin to printmaking. Her workshop will focus on flagbooks, a form of deceptively simple but fascinating and dynamic, accordion-like handmade books. Students are encouraged to bring old books, magazines, photographs or any other paper material gathering dust on the shelves that they can transform into a piece of beautiful artwork. (Translation: yes, you can turn those hoarded back-issues of Cat Fancy into something more.)"

I should note, I sent examples of flagbooks I found online and they used those as header images.  I asked them about it, since they aren't my work or my images, but no response yet.  Sorry to the artists who actually made those lovely things.

You can find more information about the classes and sign up here:
http://handpicked.scoutmob.com/atlanta/hand-picked/mint?ref=r1c0

All the art things from every direction!

Ah, it's been awhile since I updated this thing here.

A LOT is going on.
First in my non art life I managed to sprain my foot as well as fracture it (I didn't know you could do both at the same time but boom, there it is) while caring for my younger brother and sister on my own for a week.  It's made all the other stuff going on really really interesting.

The Atlanta Office of Cultural affairs Public art program is hosting Elevate again this year and my proposal, which I made along with a poet and spoken word artist Avien Reese, was selected among I think about 6 other major projects.  We're highlighting the work and membership of the organization Back on My Feet, an org I volunteer with and Avien is an alumni of, and in particulars the amazing stories and connections that are made through the organization.  The project is centered around Avien and I creating visual and oral narratives which tell the stories.  I am completing multiple large scale murals (wheat pasted on paper-yay printmaking) around several locations downtown.  It's been daunting because the notice was fairly short and I had to conduct the interviews on my own (in the midst of babysitting two small children)-but the people are amazing and I have no worry that this won't turn out great.  Details for the events and locations are found on the here.

Additionally we are hosting, with Back on My Feet, a run/walk art tour of all the Elevate locations on October 20th.  the membership of Back on My feet is going to be involved and it's going to be excellent and challenging and wonderful.  I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to learn how to collaborate with different groups and make things happen-it's not easy though and I'm not sure how suited I am for it.  But I will learn to love it as it is what I really want to do.

Also as a part of Elevate is Wonder Root's, MOCA Ga's, and Kennesaw State's Imaginary Million event.  100 artists were selected to show their work and will be given an imaginary 10,000 to bid on each other's work.  I'm participating and will actually have two pieces in the show from my DV work earlier this year which is pretty neat!  A bunch of artists I admire and love will have work in the show so hopefully I can grab some pieces I would not normally be able to share.  I'm pretty pumped-I only hope I get to dress up hard core for the event.

 


I'm also in the midst of preparing for my show at the Cube gallery in November.  It's been a bit on the back burner due to Elevate stuff but it should be pretty excellent as well.  The artist I'm showing with is patient and outstanding.

Finally, there's a ton of other stuff I'm sending work out to and applying for.  We'll see what happens with all that.

That's the update, quick and sloppy but I needed to have something here.

Yay!

Two Openings Back to Back

The Framer's show opening reception is Friday, May 18th at 6:30.  Should be fun and the proceeds from all the sales go to APS which is killer!

In addition, my solo show opens that night as well and the reception starts at 7.  I'm pumped and nervous and excited and freaked out all at once.

Here is the brief statement I wrote for the facebook event page (I hate writing this crap) and the details for the reception:

"People interact with mundane objects every day. For some, objects can take on considerable meaning and symbolism and the mundane can be transformed into the significant. This can happen in different ways and to varying degrees. A person sometimes chooses to assign meaning to an object, such as a piece of jewelry which they feel has brought them luck, and often people will look on a nostalgic time and remember a particular object, such as the car they took on family vacations, and think of home and loved ones. In light of the past year, during which I have been working with domestic violence survivors, I am particularly interested in the portrayal of the experiences that are more overpowering, those that people can rarely control and that are often inflicted by outside sources. Within the context of violent relationships, I have watched the objects we use everyday become twisted into tools of fear, control, and cruelty. As merely an advocate I can never completely comprehend the experience of the survivors of these incidents but I continue trying to scrape the surface of understanding as my own perspectives shift and deepen with each encounter."


Object and Experience-Prints and Drawings by Jessica Caldas
Opening Reception: Friday, May 18th, 7-10
Show dates: Friday, May 18th-Saturday, June 16th
The Arts Exchange
750 Kalb Street, SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
https://www.facebook.com/events/138778076255575/?ref=notif&notif_t=plan_user_joined

Color details from a few of the backgrounds-having camera issues and didn't want to wait to take pics of the finished prints.  Lovely though there is a slight blue tinge to them I didn't mean to add-alas I fail at the photography.

Life check point, December Ponce Crush, "Alchemy" at Beep Beep, and a holiday party

A finished triangle..with a red SOLD dot!!!

So, a friend of mine pointed out that December 3rd was actually kind of a significant night.  What I had failed to realize was that exactly one year ago to the day I had my exit show at UGA (never mind that I haven't officially gotten my degree YET-damn those pesky core classes I'm taking online).  Interestingly, it was also the night of the opening for the "Alchemy" show at Beep Beep.  While it's a big group show, and my pieces were small and unlike the work I normally do, it was kind of a big deal because back when I wrangled the invite for the show it was really the first success/step in the right direction I had outside of the residency at APS.  Since then I've been getting a little lucky: I got into the "Wholly Georgia" show at Mint, got some work put in a group print show at the Portal Gallery, and found out there may be an APS residency show at MOCA GA after all in late spring.  Essentially, my friend pointed out that December 3rd may be a good point in the year to stop and reflect on what I'm doing and sort of check in on my life.  Good advice I think.  This whole December 3rd date was solidified by the really awesome experience I had at the Ponce Crush too.

In any case here goes some notes from my reflection:
Accomplishments I am really fucking proud of:
-Emerging Artist Residency at APS
-Applying for a ton of grants (even if I don't get them)
-Getting into the show at Beep Beep
-Getting into Wholly Georgia
-Doing the Yea Big! Stumptown Printers thing
-Arranging a meeting with the other people I exited with to talk about a group project for the new year
-developing my idea for the Domestic Violence project
-Applying for a studio space at ACAC even though I knew I wouldn't get it
-Getting involved with Print Big and more involved at APS
-going to more shows and events (Flux, Elevate, Crushes, etc)
-Actually writing in this blog

Things I'm not proud of:
-How little time I've spent in the Studio since my residency finished
-The amount of of events and shows I haven't been to
-The fact that I'm still way too shy and introverted at the shows and I don't always make an effort to talk to people
-That I'm not saving more money or at least spending the money I'm spending on art stuff
-I haven't been exercising enough
-I've barely started any of the projects I've been planning and working on

Things I'm gonna work on:
-Go to everything!
-Talking to people
-getting in the fucking studio
-exercising and doing more of the fun stuff I love
-drawing, all the time
-saving money

I think I'm moving in the right direction.  It feels good to know I've actually been taking steps.  I don't know, I don't feel like I've gotten very far yet but at least I'm making moves and doing something.  I do really really need to work harder though.

On to the fabulous time I had at Ponce Crush:

One of mine!

Neat idea...

Some friends and I started at Beep Beep.  "Alchemy" looked cool and their were a ton of triangles I would have bought if only I had any money (like those by Sean Abrahams among others).  The most exciting thing, for me, was we got there around 7:30 and two of my triangles had sold already!  I was surprised.  Mine were some of the cheapest though (I priced each at $25).  I learned yesterday that all four were sold by the end of the night which feels pretty good.  We didn't stick around too long at Beep Beep which I kind of regret now because it turns out a few people I work with showed up (actually, two of them bought pieces which is pretty nifty of them).

Beep Beep Gallery

Next was Kibbee which was another group show.  I think I love most, out of everything, the small drawings of Jason Kofke hiding in the back room.  I didn't snap any pictures of the show though, but sat around wishing I knew more people there while my friends gabbed.  This was one of those points where I needed to be less shy and introverted and fucking blabber so I could meet people.

That's me (left) at Young Blood!

What I thought was the final stop was the show at Young Blood.  It was my least favorite of the three but still enjoyable.  It was there I ran into an old class mate from UGA who works at Young Blood now and expressed interest in me participating in a print show.  That was nice but we'll see if she actually emails me (I hope she does, that would be exciting).  In addition to that little tidbit I also learned from someone who works at Mint that one of my prints from that show sold.  Seeking to be exact.  One of the big ones. For $300.  Mind was completely blown by that news.  It's still hard for me to fathom anyone actually spending that much money on art-much less my art but damn I was pretty excited by that point.

PARTY!

To top of the night, the people I was with new about this Holiday party happening next to Young Blood.  Walking into it was, for me, like being transported to some crazy city like New York where fancy over the top Studio parties probably happen all the time.  Maybe I'm young to be so impressed but geez, I was really fucking impressed.  I felt really disoriented by the whole thing in an awesome kind of way.  The rest of the night gave way to boozing, talking, and attempting to find a dance partner and was the perfect ending to a night full of good news.

The Second Friday Art Stroll at Castleberry Hill: April Edition

I don't know how I didn't know about all these art walks before but Atlanta seems to have quite a handle on them.  I experienced my first Castleberry Hill Stroll this past Friday evening.  Lately the area has been hot with art galleries and artistic events and this walk featured the opening of a new gallery (from what I understand anyway, I wouldn't have been able to point out which one was which!).

The building in the back is the pub itself...

As always, I didn't know quite where to begin so I simply chose to start at Elliott Street Deli and Pub where I had been once before with friends.  I was flying solo initially and so spent around an hour getting to know the bartenders Michael and Jordan (yes, those were really their names).  Mike told me about some of his sailing adventures and the proceeded to give me the lowdown on which galleries I had to see.  He is also one of the owners of Elliott street pub so he shared some of the startup pictures of the place and then gifted me with a poster of the image they used for their t-shirts this year!  The image was printed at Danger Press, which is a neighbor to Atlanta Printmaker's Studio (where I'm doing my residency).  I think I got the print because I recognized the name but it doesn't really matter...I'm a huge fan of free prints!  I will probably be making my way back to the pub on a regular basis because apparently they do a lot of art events, including a photography night on Tuesdays with live models.  Also, the craziest stuff seems to happen at the end of the stroll here, although I didn't get to stay out too late last Friday since I'm babysitting the little brother and sister.

Laffargue, "Sous La Voilette"

Since my art stroll cohorts had yet to show up by 7:30 (the stroll runs from 7 to 10) I decided to begin on my own.  From the pub I managed to stumble across Zucot Gallery.  Right outside the gallery was an art auction for what I'm not quite sure but it featured artist working on paintings and some nice atmospheric music.  Personally, and not just because I'm a printmaker and I need a press which is often difficult to procure for public events, I don't like the idea of producing work in front of others.  I admire people who do sign up for that sort of thing since I'm sure it requires some sort of gusto.  Of the work inside the gallery I really liked the French artist Laffargue's large paintings.  I asked (what I think was) the curator about the work and he could really only tell me that it was a Parisian based artist and that the work was very feminine.  I think he actually thought I could afford to buy something, for some reason, because he asked if I was interested in any particular piece and tried selling me on their feminine qualities.  Of couse, 3000+ is a little out of my budget.

None of the work really stood out to me at the next few spaces which included the Emerging Art Scene Gallery and Besherat Contemporary.  The coolest part of the former was the DJ they had on the balcony and the latter the three storied space with lots of potential for really interesting and dynamic installations.

By far my favorite exhibit was the Sketchbook Project.  Featured in both The Granite Room and Big House Gallery the exhibit is one that has been/is travelling all over the states.  It has 10000 sketchbooks that they sent to anyone who signed up and received back filled with whatever each artist wanted to do in relation to one of the many (spectacular) themes.  I almost signed up for this and am kicking myself for not doing it.  I'll definitely be a part of the next round.  Sketchbooks ranged from basic drawings or written entires to complicated puzzles to little book sized installations.  It was really interesting to see the range of effort and creativity as well as the interpretations of the themes.  I think in total I saw about 10 different themes but there were probably closer to 25.

I really enjoyed the ink drawings of this book.
A whole story about love amongst coffee and cigarettes.

 

I Believe the name of the artist was Duncan Reid...this whole sketchbook was filled with insanely impressive paintings.

While sitting at the exhibit reading (I was there for close to an hour) my friends finally caught up to me and we made our way onward.  Along the way to Marcia Wood Gallery we stumbled in and out of smaller galleries, some of which doubled as homes I'm pretty sure.  I think that might be my favorite part of the neighborhood, is how obviously geared it is towards this stuff.  I suppose when I moved to Atlanta, this is where I should have looked first.

It was getting late and I needed to pick up my kid brother and sister (who I have been caring for the past two weeks...that's another long and strange story) so we made out back to Elliott Street Pub where the late night show often features fire, intense crowds, and who knows what else.  I think it might have been a little early because the show was still tame.  It's alright, I have something to look forward to next month when I have no obligation to getting myself home early.  Apparently as the weather gets warmer these strolls get rowdier which is what I'm all about.

April Ponce Crush

I went to my second Ponce Crush here in Atlanta. The basic rundown is that it is a gallery walk down Ponce De Leon Ave between Beep Beep, Kibbee, and Youngblood Galleries They have opening receptions at each on the first Saturday of every month. The main problem is that Beep Beep is definitely a slight trek (although really not so bad for someone without a car who is used to walking, like me) from the other two. The other problem I've encountered is that I'm not sure if it's a huge group of people or just sort of a "do your own thing" kind of walk. Both times the galleries have been mostly empty which is somehow a little disappointing on opening night thought I'm guessing I just happened to have missed the crowd.

I did manage to run into a large group at Young Blood this past Saturday and that was, like the show itself, intense. There was so much work, and so intricately done that I wasn't surprised to find it was the work of two artists; David Hale and Kris Davidson. Conceptually I really enjoyed the work at Kibbee gallery the most. The artist, Yana Dimitrova, took some time to explain the work and I really enjoyed her perspective, particularly with respect to the installation she had in one of the rooms. It had a lot to do with prioritizing and planning and the things we do and don't do in life....all very interesting to me and relevant to me (seeing as I rarely get the things I need to done in any kind of respectable time).

The installation featured large "to do" lists. After completed items on the list, she would add "paint check" and every item on the list had a corresponding square painted in either blue, green, yellow, or red for different levels of priority. Only the squares of finished items got checks so we were able to visually judge the relative priority of the things she actually managed to get done.

In any case, I look forward to more exciting Ponce Crush experiences in the future. tomorrow night I attend my first Castleberry Hill Art Walk and I'm definitely pumped for that one.