Tuesday lecture with Adam Carr
Felix Gonzalez-Torres
"Untitled" (USA Today)1990
https://www.moma.org/collection/works/81073
Curator and writer, and an artist whose visual thinking has left me feeling motivated and inspired.
https://kadist.org/program/adam-carr/
Attending the Tuesday lectures has been a bit of an unconsciousness discovery with the artist referencing and untapping the visual imagination of spell-binding words of knowledge in each of every presentation weekly.
Each presentation is a performance of enchanting tales bringing in information about artists where there is a real presence of each artist felt through a tragic/romantic lens. Every artist development is described through their experiences; trauma, pain, heartbreaks, loss of loved ones, addictions and wanting to help bring a difference to the world for the good of humanity, which I can heavily relate to. Being able to just listen, I notice a new experience of another person’s journey in art can expand by practice visually which moves me into a new space from my usual physical preoccupations within art. I have always been stubborn when it comes to looking at other artist works as I felt it would have a negative impact on my own, as when I compare myself, I feel I lack the ability and skills. Since I have attended the Tuesday Lectures, I have found that Adam Carr knows exactly who would be inspiring to research as I love editorial works, fashion, and politics, and all these things when rolled up within art speaks to me on a deep level. As someone who has always feared written work of any sort and dodges it like a bullet, I have delightfully found myself wanting to expand myself verbally as well as academically to further my professional practice. In the past I have allowed my fear of showing my writing in public due to Dyslexia. The high standard of sophisticated demonstrations of information help further my sense of well-being and trust in myself as an artist and be more self-assured in my practices.
The lectures have helped bring a theory element to my practice, which I cannot express enough, is totally new to me, as I have always worked practically with my hands. I have found a new way of encouraging my willingness to research other artists, visit galleries, and extend my practice and exhibition-making. The lectures break down ways to look at your practice from all angles which has given me the permission to feel encouraged to explore a wider range of materials and media, performance and how to present your work. Carr has a wide range of knowledge about art and the importance of the relationship between the two, including the benefits of recontextualization, ‘mashing up’ the academic side with a contemporary vibe. I was at one time dismissive of contemporary art but have learnt it enables an artist to understand the importance of many areas of life such as community, history of politics, and music, which can allow me to be open-minded in all subjects. This has enhanced my curiosity, leading my practices to be more confident and explorative on a deeper level. I have gone from painting to construction of mixed media and writing to express meaning and take me from audience-pleasing to infusing the personal element more strongly.
All this brings a difference and exciting freedom to how I want to approach my practice. As an essay and blog dodger, this freedom allows me to learn and explore new words, and get focus on reading as it like a new-found poetry, now more amalgamated with my mixed media practice
https://www.adammcarr.com/exhibitions/post-notes-midway/ith words
Post-IT Notes is my work which are like mini canvases for me. These little colourful bad boys of elegance and delicate in size are something I have used since my early 20s for creating written affirmations. This also encouraged the introduction of the written word as a new form of media to my practice as I find at times, I can get vocally stuck in self-expression and how I am feeling, by using these snippets of thought, I have found it liberating, self-healing and a reminder that I am on the right path in life.
I have come to discover another reason why I found it so important to extend my professional vocabulary of words was thanks to my father Norman Garnett who was such a brilliant, smart, intelligence and genius of a man, who used a language of brilliance, which was so endearing and expanded my mind. So, when I attended Tuesday lectures, this opened up a new ‘home’ for my affirmation post-it expressions and the memory of a wordsmith grandfather, to explore my past and a sense of nostalgia in my present works.
Carr’s coverage of a range of artists has given me the confidence to explore the performance aspect of myself. Previously, I used to create ‘How to Hair’ videos online, which I had put to one side as felt it was all about the ‘sale of the soul’, whereas now, I find if I document my works I have much more fun in doing so as there is no pressure or need to enter the world of consumerism. When I am presented with a wide range of artists to examine, I automatically resonate with a side of myself as a lover of the curious and unfamiliar. I feel the cutting-edge iconic artists showcased in the lectures shows how all areas of space and opportunities can be utilised and exhibited.
My overall view the Tuesday lectures is that they are a magical experience. I am extremely grateful to see the effort that goes behind each prestation weekly, and this inspires my own work ethic to be conscientious and motivated.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EL1B3K-SusQ&list=PLG6QejE1y9HxM5k9X8M-RNy8sWd6311pa&index=92&ab_channel=WORKPLACEFOUNDATION
Simeon Barclay in conversation with Adam Carr was most motivating to watch, hearing a men’s point of view of life experience of fitting in with society using fashion as part of your ‘armour’ and how this can impact your statement of self with the world. I enjoy how education was presented as a fun, learning experience but can socially impact you if you feel different to others. I found this video when I was at a place of confusion and had the lost the willingness to continue my studies feeling somewhat of an outsider. I have always felt that way from a child, and seeing this video made me feel a place of acceptance and to own my self-worth, knowing it’s okay to not care for what others think of you if your heart is in the right place.
