In the Path of the Stones - Arlington International Film Festival

On Saturday November 9 from 4-6 pm, 13FOREST Gallery is pleased to host a post-screening reception for the US premier of the film In the Path of the Stones, as a part of the Arlington International Film Festival. After a screening of the film at the Capitol Theater at 2:30 pm, we will be joined by the director of the documentary, Marco Antonio Pereira, for refreshments and a Q&A at 13FOREST.

In the Path of the Stones/No Caminho das Pedras

This mosaic of stories was created to honor the 450th year of Rio de Janeiro and to celebrate its process of urbanization. The film chronicles the rich history of the famous sidewalks made of Portuguese stones, since their appearance in Lisbon in the mid-19th century to their arrival in Rio de Janeiro, revealing the art, referencing the cultures and the omnipresence of the stones under the Carioca’s and Portuguese’s feet. The film includes the participation of musicians, poets and visual artists from Brazil and Portugal who were inspired by the works of art. Watch the trailer here.

About the Director

Born in Cordisburgo, Brazil, Marco Antonio Pereira is a film director, illustrator, publisher, music producer and guitarist. He has a degree in journalism and also studied film at the Escola Livre de Cinema in Belo Horizonte. Pereira founded the Arte e Vocação social project, a series of mobile film workshops held throughout Brazil. His short film A retirada para um coração bruto has screened at festivals around the world.

---

Outside|In 2019

13FOREST Gallery is pleased to present our third annual Outside|In event highlighting public art around Arlington. In collaboration with the Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture and Arlington Public Art, this year we are excited to host artists Freedom Baird, Michelle Lougee and Katherine Shozawa. Please join us on Friday, October 18 from 6-8 pm for a reception and discussion with the artists. The reception will start at 6 pm, the talk at 6:15 pm.

Freedom Baird's installation Room to Grow was set just off the Minuteman Bikeway near Spy Pond during the summer, and was part of the PATHWAYS project to bring contemporary art to the bike path. Room to Grow featured reclaimed furniture that Baird arranged like a bedroom. She filled the room with native plants that grew over time and took over the space she created, encouraging the viewer to think about the relationship between man-made and natural habitats.    

Michelle Lougee has been appointed to a year-long residency for the town of Arlington. Lougee will work with the community through the Crochet Collaborative to create a large-scale outdoor sculpture that will be placed along the Minuteman Bikeway as a part of PATHWAYS. Lougee crochets colorful, organic-looking structures out of recycled single use plastic bags to call attention to the deadly impact that plastic waste has on the health of the environment.

Katherine Shozawa heads up the Vita Project, a participatory public artwork that explores cultural vitality as a form of physical fitness. Through interactive sculpture and performative prompts, the Vita Project invites the public to experience an inventive reinterpretation of the existing Vita Course — a series of Swiss exercise stations, also known as “parcours,” dating from 1968. These fitness courses were once adapted for parks throughout the United States; the remains of Arlington’s Vita Course winds along walking trails in historic Menotomy Rocks Park.

---

#OnePulse #OrlandoStrong

Nayda A. Cuevas with her installation #OnePulse #OrlandoStrong

Schedule of Events

Sat 10/19 - Sun 10/27: #OnePulse #OrlandoStrong window installation at 13FOREST Gallery

Sun 10/27, 4-6 pm: Día de los Muertos - #OnePulse #OrlandoStrong reception with artist Nayda A. Cuevas and events throughout Capitol Square

---

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a holiday of reverence for one's ancestors that dates back to the Aztec celebration of Mictēcacihuātl, Queen of the Underworld. Though Día de los Muertos originated in Mexico, people across the Americas have adopted and modified the tradition with their own unique cultural contributions. Each October Capitol Square brings Día de los Muertos back into focus with Latinx memory altars, food and activities. For this year's Día de los Muertos festival 13FOREST Gallery is pleased to highlight the work of artist Nayda A. Cuevas, who will install her #OnePulse #OrlandoStrong series of paintings in our window.

#OnePulse #OrlandoStrong is a series of paintings honoring the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting on June 12, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. Forty-nine primarily Latinx people were killed in what is now recognized as the second deadliest mass shooting in the United States, and the deadliest incidence of violence against LGBTQ+ people in American history. Cuevas completed the series of paintings, one depicting each of the 49 victims individually, during a residency that took place shortly after the shooting. Struggling with her own feelings of dismay and mourning, Cuevas undertook the project as a way to memorialize the people who died in the horrific shooting and to process her emotions. As mass shootings become more frequent and consume more of our collective consciousness, it can be easy to feel numb and to forget victims and their families once a new shooting takes place. Cuevas' portraits bring the identity and humanity of these victims back to the forefront. As a Catholic, Cuevas observes All Souls Day; her window installation at 13FOREST marks this holiday and honors the memory of victims of gun violence.

Beyond paying respect to the people who were killed during the Pulse shooting, Cuevas' series of paintings serves as a larger exploration of portraiture in modern times. Each painting in the series is a recreation of a selfie taken by a victim of the shooting. Cuevas reflects on the meaning of selfies and the effect of taking a digital image and rendering it in a more traditional medium: 

 Just as the modern artist exploited the portrait’s potential to convey identity, the 21st century selfie trend extends this practice to the common person, the non-artist. Exploring the selfie and its increasing prevalence in our culture led me to realize that there are subthemes within how people examine or present identity such as ethnic, gender, or religious identity. Selfies are an expression of one’s identity, however contrived or imagined it may be. At the same time by engaging in traditional forms of portrait painting —namely, naturalistic representations of people rendered in oil on panel— I seek to challenge how we currently consume images at an alarming rate and volume, without devoting substantial time or energy to sufficiently digest, contemplate, and understand what we see. This condition is created because we now experience the world through digital devices such as cell phones, which provide easy and instant access to imagery from a wide range of sources. Over-reliance on devices is harming our ability to have valuable face-to-face conversations — the most human thing we do — by splitting our attention and diminishing our capacity for empathy.

---

About the artist

I started making art in order to deal with a sense of alienation and the absence of familiar people and places in my life. At the age of ten, my parents made the decision to move our family from Puerto Rico to Florida. Being relocated at a young age evoked a new sense of self-exploration and need to establish connections with people. Painting the figure became a means to understand people and create connections in my community, while exploring a visual language to better articulate my observations and interpretations of my Latin@ American Experience. It is this identity that guides my work to cultivate awareness of “otherness" in American culture, while raising questions about belonging and feelings of displacement.

---

Call of the Wild!

The mission of 13FOREST Gallery is to introduce the work of new and established artists to a broader public. In this vein, we are taking the unusual step of issuing this call to New England artists for our spring exhibition.

Our intention is that participants will include artists whose work we have already shown as well as representatives from the broader community of artists in New England. From the submissions we receive, we will choose a group of about 15 to 20 artists to exhibit in our spring show, Call of the Wild, running from May 18 to July 12, 2019.

---

Explanation of Theme

Animals is the theme we have chosen. Humans have a broad range of interactions and relationships with animals, from the pets we keep in our homes to the food we eat. We are looking for work that reflects the significance that animals have in our lives, encompassing folklore and fables, religion and spirituality, environmentalism and conservation, and pure fantasy. The work does not have to exist already; you can also submit a sketch and description of a piece you would like to create. We have listed our submission requirements and calendar of deadlines below; please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing your submissions!

Submission Guidelines

• To submit a proposal for new work: send a sketch and description of how thefinished piece will appear by the submission deadline 

• For work that already exists: please submit images of the finished piece and a brief description of the intent/content of the work

• Artwork must have been created within the past five (5) years

• Artwork cannot have been shown before at the gallery

• Preference for two-dimensional work, some sculpture or performance pieces will be considered

• Maximum of three (3) submissions per artist

• Size requirement: no larger than 20" x 20"

• Artists must reside in New England

• Send submissions via email to info@13forest.com

Calendar

Wed 3/20: Submission deadline
Wed 3/27: 13FOREST will notify artists if their submission has been chosen
Fri 4/5: Submit images (if you want to be included in press release)
Sat 5/4: Submit images of finished work
Sat 5/11: Drop off work - framed, wired, ready to hang
Sat 5/18, 4-6 pm: Opening reception
Sat 6/29, 4-6 pm: Summer party

---

Portrait of an Artist

Please join us on Saturday, March 30 from 4-6 pm for Portrait of an Artist, a conversation with painter Catherine Graffam. (Due to inclement weather, this event has been rescheduled from March 2.)

Navigating the art world as a marginalized person can be frustrating, but it is possible! Join artist Catherine Graffam as she talks about finding her life-saving creative path as a trans woman, and gives advice on how to kick in the art world door to make space for yourself once you’re inside. Graffam has recently been profiled in The Jealous Curator's new book A Big Important Art Book (Now With Women!) for her emotive and personal artwork. Author Danielle Krysa acknowledges the value of Graffam’s extremely intimate and honest portrayal of her journey as a trans woman: "I have always seen Catherine Graffam's work as very brave." 

Graffam has exhibited at The Museum of Contemporary Art in Jacksonville, Clark University, the University of Rhode Island, the University of New Hampshire, and many others. She has spoken at the University of North Florida, the University of Virginia, and currently teaches at Lasell College.

Catherine Graffam, Self-Portrait with Two Eggs and a Handkerchief, oil on panel

Valentine's Day Gift Guide

At 13FOREST Gallery we have a wide range of unique gifts for every special occasion. With this year’s Valentine’s Day Gift Guide, you can find the perfect handmade, one-of-a-kind gift to show the special people in your life how you feel. We’re always getting new things in the gallery, so make sure you stop by soon to shop our whole collection.

---

Working with industrial materials like steel and automotive paint, Amanda Kressler makes distinctive geometric accessory bowls that are stylish and functional.

---

Kathleen Buchanan creates her atmospheric images of Maine landscapes and wildlife using a style of printmaking called collagraphy, which involves assembling a printing plate from cut out materials glued to a board.

---

Wendy Jo New’s whimsical designs feature unique materials like resin, argentium and keumboo; the result is jewelry that feels both contemporary and fun.

---

The elegant form and subtle color of Peter DeCamp Haines bronze sculptures convey a simple yet sophisticated beauty.

---

With colorful hand painted designs, Allison Glick’s wheel-thrown pottery makes the perfect gift to brighten anyone’s space.

---

Maeve Mueller’s geometric porcelain jewelry is enhanced with a unique gold luster glaze that lends just the right amount of sparkle.

---

Accessory 2018

This holiday season we are excited to bring back Accessory, a trunk show featuring new work from our talented group of jewelers. Join us from 12-4 pm on Sunday 12/9 for refreshments, a chance to meet the artists behind our fantastic jewelry collection, and of course some unique holiday gift shopping! Last year’s event was great fun, and this year will be another perfect opportunity to treat yourself or someone special in your life. And don't forget, all jewelry is 10% off as part of our Holiday Sale.

Karenna Maraj, Maeve Mueller, and Wendy Jo New will join us in the gallery for Accessory 2018, and we will also show new work from Lisa Gent, Ilana Krepchin and E. Scott.

---

Meet the artists!

Karenna Maraj

Maeve Mueller

Wendy Jo New

Also featuring new work from

Lisa Gent

Ilana Krepchin

E. Scott

---

Outside|In 2018

Together with the Arlington Commission on the Arts and Culture and Arlington Public Art, 13FOREST Gallery is pleased to continue Outside|In, a series of artist talks about public art along the Minuteman Bikeway.  Last year’s program featured several compelling public art projects, which you can read about here.

For its second year, APA, the Arlington Commission on the Arts and Culture and curator Cecily Miller have commissioned temporary works of art for a section of the Bikeway in Arlington's newly designated Cultural District.  Artist Resa Blatman and environmental educator Ellen Reed have collaborated on a set of cards with portraits of ExtraOrdinary Birds and tips to encourage birdwatching on the Bikeway and to help birds in your own backyard.  Christopher Frost has created Colony, an enchanting miniature village perched in the branches of a large tree at the Linwood Street entrance to the Bikeway. Please join us on Saturday, 10/20 from 4-6 pm at 13FOREST Gallery to hear Blatman and Frost speak about their projects.

Resa Blatman, Extra Ordinary Birds

Christopher Frost, Colony, painted wood. Photo credit: Lee Kilpatrick

Coco Cultures: The Raver's Altar

Schedule of Events

Sun 10/21 - Sun 11/4: Coco Cultures: The Raver’s Altar window installation at 13FOREST Gallery

Sun 10/28, 4-6 pm: Día de los Muertos - The Raver’s Altar opening reception and events throughout Capitol Square

Sun 11/4, 2-4 pm: Coco Cultures: The Raver’s Altar - artist talk with Auddie Rodriguez

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a holiday of reverence for one's ancestors that dates back to the Aztec celebration of Mictēcacihuātl, Queen of the Underworld. Though Día de los Muertos originated in Mexico, people across the Americas have adopted and modified the tradition with their own unique cultural contributions. Each October Capitol Square brings Día de los Muertos back into focus with Latinx memory altars, food and live music. For this year's Día de los Muertos festival 13FOREST Gallery is pleased to highlight the work of artist and designer Auddie Rodriguez, who will install The Raver's Altar, part of her ongoing project Coco Cultures, in our window.

The skater, the survivalist, the gamer, the collector, and the raver - the five egos of Coco Cultures

Coco Cultures is an appropriation of subcultural identities through the use of Auddie’s alter ego “Coco.” Through design branding, multi-media art production, photography and video, Coco shares the lifestyles, passions, and preoccupations of the five different subcultures she embodies. For Auddie, this multi-media presentation of Coco is a tool that interprets the ego of personal identity, while simultaneously appealing to the ego of creativity.

Auddie’s long-term, immersive project began with an exploration of five subcultural identities: the gamer, the collector, the skater, the survivalist, and the raver. For each identity Auddie, as Coco, had to acquire the knowledge, skills, and accoutrements necessary to become a member of that group. Coco manifests a gamer’s obsession with completionism, a collector’s meticulous hunt for Durand glassware, a skater’s repetitive practice of an Ollie, a survivalist’s conviction for TEOTWAWKI, a raver’s vigor for catching the moment when the beat drops, and places these crafts on the same level of importance as the obsession, meticulousness, practice and conviction that goes into the act of creating as an artist or designer.

Coco the Raver’s prayer card

Auddie began Coco Cultures in her final year of the Graphic Design and Interactive Design program at The School of Visual Arts, approaching the project from the perspective of a designer and not an artist. For her thesis presentation of the project, her professor challenged her to find a way to put her project out into the world. Auddie decided to kill off one of Coco's iterations; the raver was her victim. As her final presentation, Auddie had an obituary printed in a newspaper for Coco the raver, and designed a traditional memorial prayer card.

For our Día de los Muertos window installation, Auddie is constructing an altar to commemorate the life of Coco's raver persona. The altar will play with the traditions of Día de los Muertos while incorporating elements specific to the raver subculture.

Speaking about the scope of her project, Auddie explains that "Coco Cultures is for everyone or for one person, it doesn’t have a deadline and will continue until my own death, it can take many shapes, it can live anywhere, it serves the narratives of individuals and their passions; because that is what subcultures do - they display the complex blooming of the human experience with tenacity."

Window installation at 13FOREST Gallery by Auddie for Día de los Muertos

---

About the Artist

Auddie  Rodriguez is an artist and designer currently based in Boston. Originally from New York City, she was raised in the tri-state area and all over New York State. Auddie graduated with an Associate's Degree in Graphic Design from Bronx Community College in 2010, and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the School of Visual Arts in 2013.

As an artist, Auddie has sought to develop work through the lens of her upbringing and experiences. She uses her nickname, Auddie, to erase common first impressions of race and gender in her art and design work. She identifies, first and foremost, as a woman because she has spent most of her life balancing multiple socio-cultural identities. As a second generation Puerto Rican-American, Auddie grew up having turkey for Thanksgiving and pernil for Christmas. Coming out as a bisexual woman in the early 2000s, she has spent years switching between masculine and feminine demeanors.

Auddie plans to create future work that brings into view narratives often forgotten in art and design, such as the history of colonization and immigration of Puerto Ricans, closeted bisexuality, the intersectionality of cultural identities, and stories of substance abuse, among others. Auddie continues to push emotional risk-taking in order to reminisce, realize and say something in her work.

Auddie as Coco the Raver

---

Wilhelm Neusser - Field Trip

Congratulations to Wilhelm Neusser, whose new body of work will be featured in Field Trip, a solo exhibition at Galerie Knecht und Burster in Karlsruhe, Germany from September 15 to October 13, 2018. Watch Neusser give a tour of his studio and explain the new paintings, which depict his first American landscapes, in the video at right. Fortunately as he was preparing for the Germany show, Neusser made a few extra cranberry bog paintings for our P-town Pop-up, 13FOREST at 444 - see below.

Neusser's paintings currently on view in our P-town Pop-up, 8/29-9/11. (L-r: Nocturne/Moon (1804), Bog/PinkOrange (1822), Bog/Angelus (1820), all oil on linen)