OPENING EVENT: FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 6-9 PM
Participating artists:
Kenneth Alexander, Mary Baddour, Timothy Barker, Nick Canterucci, Len Clark, Saj Crone, Temple Daniels, Judith Dierkes, Charles Dwyer, Brantley Ellzey, Jay Etkin, Adam Farmer, Jan Hankins, Carrol Harding McTyre, Kenneth Johnston, Paula Kovarik, Taylor Loftin, Elysia Mann, Barbi Martin, Sophia Mason, Lester Merriweather, Andrea Morales, Margaret Munz-Losch, Nathan Parten, Alex Paulus, Terri Phillips, Erica Qualy, Carrie Schule, Matt Seltzer, Valerie Shavers, Valerie Sparks, Kyle Taylor, Lance Turner, Jeane Umbreit, Jeff Unthank, Richard Varnon, Keysha Warr, Stephanie Wexler, Jana Wilson & Meredith Wilson
Hi Friends,
Of all the madness in American politics at the moment, it’s nearly impossible to get your head around exactly what’s happening. Somehow, it’s all very funny and sad and terrifying at the same time. Dr. Thomas More asked a question in the opening lines of Walker Percy’s Love in the Ruins that feels eerily appropriate to ask now:
In these dread latter days of the old violent beloved and of the Christ-forgetting Christ-haunted death dealing western world…undoubtedly something is about to happen. Or is it that something has stopped happening? Is it that God has at last removed his blessing from the U.S.A. and what we feel now is just the clank of the old historical machinery, the sudden jerking ahead of the roller-coaster cars as the chain catches hold and carries us back into history with its ordinary catastrophies, carries us out and up toward the brink from that felicitous and privileged siding where even unbelievers admitted that if it was not God who blessed the U.S.A, then at least some great good luck had befallen us, and that now the blessing or the luck is over, the machinery clanks, the chain catches hold, and the cars jerk forward?
But who needs words to describe what’s happening to America? Did you get bored reading that last paragraph? It was kind of long, right? Way too many words for this news cycle. Keep the words short, mean what you say—or don’t. Tomorrow’s another headline.
Millions of Americans are supporting a man for president who has stayed in the forefront of the news by repeatedly saying outrageous things with a very limited range of words, usually 140 characters or less at a time. He’s definitely onto something and knows it, even claiming “I know words. I have the best words.”
This is a season of extremes, but in the words of Extreme’s “More than Words,” “more than words is all you have to do to make it real.”
Please consider yourself invited to submit works of visual art, music, or performance related to the current political landscape (or anything to do with politics, America, etc.) for the upcoming exhibit Say Hello To America! All that we ask is that you keep it real, using words, or not. Whatever.
Here is my submission to the show, made in collaboration with Memphis-based artist Sadie Yanckello. The photo is of my son, with an American made beer, because he loves America. I promise this photo is “real.” It even has words on it to prove it!
Christopher Miner & Sadie Yanckello, The 4.2%, digital collage, 2016
“I believe in an America where millions of Americans believe in an America. That’s the America millions of Americans believe in. That’s the America I love.” – Mitt Romney
Hope to see you soon,
Chris
1.Important Dates
Submission deadline: Sunday, May 15
Selection notices sent: Friday, May 20
Artwork drop-off: Monday, June 6, 9am-6pm
Opening Reception: Friday, June 10, 6-9 pm
Artwork pick-up: Sunday, July 10, 3-5 pm and Monday, July 11, 9am-noon
Dates on view: June 10-July 9, 2016, Tuesday-Friday, 10 am – 6 pm
Other events TBA
2.Size Limit
There is no restriction on size of artwork other than reasonable passage through a standard doorway.
3.Display Requirements
All artwork must be delivered ready to hang/install to be included in the exhibition. Please communicate any specific installation needs (special handling, pedestal needs, AV equipment needs, etc) in submission form.
4.Sales
All proceeds from sales go directly to artists. Crosstown Arts does not take a commission. Crosstown Arts will facilitate sales via cash, check (made out to the artist) or Visa/MasterCard via Square during the run of the show. More details to follow.
5.SUBMISSION FORM
Submit entries online through this form
Contact: For more information please contact us at info@crosstownarts.org
Crosstown Arts, 422 N Cleveland, Memphis, TN, 38104
