This Week’s Must-See Art Events: Sign of the Times

What’s eco-feminism got to do with the work of Thai artist Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook, who first hit our radar at Pulse Miami 2012? Well, find out from feminist philosopher Lori Gruen and scholar Arnika Fuhrman on Tuesday night as they discuss the artist’s work. Rasdjarmrearnsook will not be in attendance.
Generally, we’re curious why this artist’s work has been the focus of so much attention over the past five years. We suppose this talk is a good way to find out.

A discussion of current practices in the field of support for New York City’s artists, Open Call will consider the resources most needed by the city’s art community and examine best practices for finding and securing financial support, mentorship, space and other vital resources in a competitive arts-funding environment. RSVP for guaranteed entry: rsvp@artadia.org.

List of participants: Carolyn Ramo (Executive Director, Artadia), Dianne Debbicella (Senior Program Director for Fiscal Sponsorship, Fractured Atlas), Caroline Contillo (Community Manager, Idealist), Susan Hapgood (Executive Director, ISCP), William Penrose (Program Manager, Artist Residencies, LMCC), and Nicholas Weist (Director, The Shandaken Project)

Post-Ferguson, what is the responsibility of the artist? Curator Ryan Wong and artist Dread Scott will discuss just that, and how artists can get to the roots of racially motivated, systemic violence. Scott’s own work has a history of making headlines—he received national attention in 1989 for “What is the Proper Way to Display a U.S. Flag,” an installation that included a photo-montage of Koreans burning flags dropped over  soldier coffins and a flag displayed prominently on the floor. The public controversy resulted in a  Supreme Court case. This background has made Scott a phenomenal public speaker. This event is free, but ICI is really small—you’ll want to RSVP. Just send an email with “RSVP” in the subject line to rsvp@curatorsintl.org with DREAD in the subject line.

In honor of its 25th Anniversary, the Bronx Museum will screen Paris Is Burning. This iconic documentary chronicles New York’s vibrant 1980’s drag scene, focusing on balls, voguing, and the private lives of those involved. Events following the screening include a Q&A, led by BronxWorks’ Sexual Health Promotion Through Youth Leadership, and a voguing workshop, led by artist Kia LaBeija. Free admission.

March 20 promises some portentous astrological events. What better way to commemorate it than with a vocal and electronic performance by artist Marissa Perel, accompanied by an installation by lighting designer Elliot Jenetopulos? The pairing promises an atmosphere of haunted wilderness; an exploration of transference and oppositional forces. Bring it, supermoon.

Artist-led creative team Whoop Dee Doo embodies everything we’d like to see more of in art: an utter lack of pretension, unself-conscious creative collaboration, and a good time. This weekend, the group works with teens from the Abrons Art Center’s Urban Youth Theater Ensemble to create an interactive installation and live performance. Previous iterations have included adults dressed in poo costumes performing a journey through the bowels, and a staring contest for kids  posed in Mount Rushmore face cutouts. If this show has even a lick of the creativity that has driven previous works, it’ll be off the hook. This all-ages, kid-friendly event features artists from the local community, including traditional Tuvan throat singer Robert McLaughlin and the Japanese Folk Dance Institute of New York. Come prepared for active participation throughout the event. (Hint: think contests and lots of dancing.) Free, but RSVP to EZurer@HenryStreet.org because space is limited.

In Escape Pod, artist Jonathan Monaghan’s first solo exhibition—also, it’s the same name for the video installation in this show—a golden stag roams modernist spaces of authoritarian confrontation and material excess, encountering lavish bedrooms, airport checkpoints, and a luxury riot-gear boutique. WTF. Go, because luxury riot-gear boutique.

For dinner, convo, and art, there’s artists’ collective American Cyborg. The collective started Peridot Green, an apartment-salon series that brings all interested parties—collectors, artists, curators, and so forth—together for dinner, some conversation, and (very) reasonably priced artwork. This gathering is cozy by design, so email bluebird@americancyb.org to RSVP.