ART OF CHANGE
I am embarking on mid-career change — energizing my arts practice, embracing myself as an artist — a multi-media poet.
Currently, I am undertaking an MFA at The New School for Social Research. Nominally, I am studying Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry.
POETICS AS CODE
For me, a “poem” may be a code for each and every art form.
A poem may be a set of instructions creating any form of art. Painting: Sol LeWitt, Wall Drawings. Dance: Bruce Nauman, Body Pressure. Performance: Yoko Ono, Grapefruit). Film: Maya Deren, Meshes of the Afternoon. Photography: Matt Siber, The Yellow Wall. Music: John Cage, 4’33”.
Indeed, poems need not even have words: Shigeru Matsui, Pure Poems. Or, may be made of images or symbols: Derek Beaulieu, Flatland.
I hold this truth be self-evident that all art may be deemed writing.
POET:ARTIST::ARTIST:POET
To be labeled an “artist” permits one wide latitude to do anything with any medium in the arts — a multi-media artist. Yet, to be called a “poet” usually conjures up a more limited circle of associations.
I hereby grant the poet the same license at the artist. I claim that the difference is artificial and unnecessary. Each role — poet or artist– merely describes one’s focus of study and the starting point of one’s inspiration. Poets need not accept a defined fence around expression.
So, I steal the keys to the jail. And, I launch myself as a multi-media poet.
MY PATHWAYS
I have been supporting other artists and food entrepreneurs for the last twenty years as a consultant and manager. I have been involved in planning, fundraising, building, selling and programming for arts and art businesses.
My first “job” was touring as a musician during and after college with Indie Rock Bands and the becoming a founder of the indie record label, Simple Machines Music.
I have been a co-curator and producer of many art exhibitions and multi-media performances — such as “Displacement” at Center for Performance Research (2005); “Urban Chatauqua” at the New Museum (2010); “Farm City” with French Institute Alliance Française (2010); and “Brooklyn Utopias” at The Old Stone House (2012). From 2011 to 2016, I directed an annual festival entitled “Food +Enterprise” incorporating food, art, design, performance and education.
THE ART OF BUSINESS
I have an extensive background with producing performance and art events. Through my consulting and advisory services, I have supported the work of many performing artists and arts organizations in New York City, such as Chez Bushwick, Think Dance, Brooklyn Art Exchange, Coalition of Mighty Ensemble Theaters (COMET) and many others.
I have previous experience supporting capital projects, overseeing the design, construction, and operational planning for various performing arts facilities in New York City, including Center for Performance Research, Vanderbilt Arts and now-closed Supreme Trading.
And, I have served on the Boards of several arts organizations such as Groundswell.
Now, I embark on my next phase TBD of artistic practice. Stay tuned.