Brainard Carey

“Facts do not cease to exist because the are ignored.” -Aldous Huxley

The truth is increasingly pliable in these days of fast facts and fake news. We live in an age of subjectivity, when objective fact is put to the test against a cascade of competing narratives. Over the millennia, we have slowly emerged from the dark toward a world of evidence. And yet for most, even the most concrete assurances are not enough to shake the foundation of a strongly internalized script. We, all of us, have a natural tendency to lean toward those things that support what we already believe. In a sense we merely bolster our own personal truths, leaving total objectivity to the side.

Mary Mattingly spoke to us once again after a previous conversation five years ago when she discussed a floating barge-based installation. Currently she still lives and works in New York though she has just returned from Colorado where she spent a semester in fellowship at University of Colorado, Boulder. The project that unfolded in Boulder was a collaborative work with systems scientists, graduate students from the university and other artists to create what she calls taxonomical sculptures. Mattingly created a library with four main themes: Commons, Art & Poetry, Ecosophy and Geology. Within each theme were books, objects and sound-based artwork. Mattingly sought to locate art that would fit into these categories and that represented the idea of a tool, that is something that aids in work going forward. To hear more about this project and more, including an upcoming project at Brooklyn Public Library involving watershed stewardship in New York City, listen to the complete interview.

Bob Holman is a poet. In our interview with him, we spoke about two of his works, Life Poem and The Unspoken. Although both are new out right now, Life Poem began 50 years before The Unspoken. Life Poem is one continuous poem written over 100 pages. The Unspoken is a collection of recent and selected poems. It began with the title Bob Holman and the Spoken Word Movement. Holman is generally associated with the spoken word/slam culture in poetry. To hear more about both books, including live readings by the poet, listen to the complete interview.

A Few Words to Keep in your Pocket:

Never forget that your truth is at odds with the truths of those around you.

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. Information about the work of Bob Holman can be found here.

Deadlines

Galveston Artist Residency is open to emerging and established artists working in any medium who are at a point in their career where they will benefit from intense, focused studio time. The residency comes with a $500 travel budget as well as $1,000 monthly stipend and apartment housing. No meals are provided. Those interested should visit the website for more information. Deadline for applications is March 9.

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 Succeed with Social Media Like a Creative Genius.

As the light returns and spring begins to whisper in the near distance, the time may be right to think about taking the time to get away for the sake of your art. A residency period can be enriching as well as an incredible bolster for your network. Not sure you’re ready to travel for your work just yet? No fear, there’s time for that when you do feel ready. Tucked beneath the residencies this week you’ll find an interesting nugget, a small call for flash art. Breathe in the last remaining gasps of winter and see what’s out there.

Galveston Artist Residency is open to emerging and established artists working in any medium who are at a point in their career where they will benefit from intense, focused studio time. The residency comes with a $500 travel budget as well as $1,000 monthly stipend and apartment housing. No meals are provided. Those interested should visit the website for more information. Deadline for applications is March 9.

The Gulbenkian Grant supports on artist for three months at AIR 351 in Lisbon, Portugal. The AIR 351 program allows access to individual studios as well as communal spaces. There is also connection to art events and network in the host city. Selected grant recipients receive travel budget, monthly stipend as well as accident/health insurance for the duration of the residency. For more information, visit the website. Deadline for applications is March 14.

Artists at any stage – and not necessarily those working in the video medium – are invited to submit a video of exactly one minute in length to Folie Culture’s Minute Video. The theme for this year is Walk on Eggshells. For more details, visit the website. Deadline for submissions is March 15.

Praxis Center offers you the tools you need to take your career to the next level. We help guide artists through the process of applying to grants, residencies, and more. What’s more we offer a selection of opportunities to explore as well as an interactive classroom where you can meet and greet colleagues, expanding your network while seeking expert advice on your documents and all the questions that come along with a career in the arts. Join us today and discover what you’ve been missing.

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.

Photo credit: Galveston Artist Residency