How To Foster Provacative Art
Artwork by Martin Durazo, Photo by Jay Oligny
Dear Art Advocate,
Shahid Nadeem, a playwright and human rights activist, has been imprisoned under three military regimes in Pakistan. I’ve often worried about him over the last 10 years since we co-hosted him as a writer-in-residence with PEN International. He was living at 18th Street Arts Center during the Sept. 11th attacks and we were scheduled to present one of his plays that week. As they say, ‘the show must go on’ yet following the production Shahid opened the floor to the audience for a deeper and profound conversation around the recent tragedy. So it was a wonderful surprise to see Shahid this summer, while here for a theater conference. We took the opportunity to interview him and capture his reflections on the impact his residency had on his work. To watch his video CLICK HERE.
More recently, installation artist Martin Durazo, took his three month residency in our main gallery to an extreme level in his “Pain Management 101″ project. Martin transformed the gallery into an evolving psychedelic-rave environment questioning both the illegal drug trade and the legal pharmaceutical drug economy. His almost illicit show definitely ‘pushed’ some hot buttons among visitors, art press and local teens from the Virginia Avenue Park Teen Center. In a reality-style video project filmed and edited by the teens under Martin’s direction, they grappled with the complex issues they all face with regards to drug use/abuse. Later we screened their video in the gallery for their friends, family and the public. To watch his video CLICK HERE.
These are just two examples of dozens every year demonstrating how we put our mission to provoke public dialogue through contemporary art making into action. Through extended residencies for award-winning[1] artists like Shahid and Martin, we introduce the artistic process of honing creative skills to the public. This is what makes 18th Street Art Center so special – and why we’re asking for your assistance. This coming year we will give $193,000 in direct support to over 40 notable local and visiting artists – in the form of artist fees, art supplies, travel, high profile marketing and dedicated studio space. Nearly 75% of this budget is already secured. We need your help for the remainder.
When you underwrite our residency program with a tax-deductible contribution to 18th Street Arts Center you will be advancing the work of extraordinary artists like Martin Durazo and Shahid Nadeem and helping us foster artistic exchange and dialogue. You may send a check to 1639 18th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404 or just CLICK HERE. Make a donation by January 31, 2012 and receive our Pacific Standard Time: Art in LA 1945 -1980 catalogue, Collaboration Labs: Southern California Artists and the Artist Space Movement.
Wishing you a wonderful holiday overflowing with creativity and joy,
Jan Williamson
Executive Director
P.S. If you would like a complete list of the artists you will be supporting this coming year, please contact me directly.
[1] Shahid Nadeem is the foremost and most prolific playwright of Pakistan. He has written over 30 original plays and adaptations and ten TV serials and telefilms. Martin Durazo has received a California Community Foundation Fellowship for Visual Artists, has exhibited in Los Angeles and Tokyo and was in the SUR: Biennial.
