The Cassandra Complex: An introduction
This complex is the end result of about 1 year of active research, and maybe 2+ years of ongoing conversations. About a year ago, it became clear that changes in the SF Bay Area were unavoidable and were not sustaining our individual and collective visions/dreams/purposes. The writing was on the wall with Jeff’s studio. Changes in rents in SF were pushing artists, art galleries, and independent art stores out of their longtime homes in SF, and some were not finding new places to land, or finding places, only to be displaced again shortly. Jen saw her neighborhood in Oakland completely transformed within a single year, and calculated that she’d be priced out of her apartment in 2-3 years. We decided we could indulge in wishful thinking, or we could look for some concrete solutions. Right from the beginning we considered all of our options, from compound living to moving back to the midwest. The idea morphed and changed along the way, and none of us could have predicted the outcome of this journey.
The Players: Jefferson Eisenberg, Jennifer Jett, Jen Merrill
The Challenge: Finding a way to finance a lifestyle that affords time for art-making and could support artistic endeavor in a meaningful way (Jefferson). Staying in Northern California and all of its wonderful know-how, resources and weirdness (Jennifer). Affording my own place, a studio, and a savings, while fostering a creative and cooperative lifestyle. Buying instead of renting so I can avoid being pushed out by rent increases (Jen).
The Method: Jennifer took a map of the Bay Area and drew a circle that represented the dividing line of 1 ½ hours drive from the Bay Area (SF/Oakland), and an inner circle of all of the immediate Bay Area that we were going to be priced out of within a year or 2 (our estimate).
The Work: Jefferson, Jennifer and Jen then started taking weekend trips all over the designated area, looking at downtowns, looking at real estate listings (not actual properties, but prices), getting the vibe, trying to sense the potential to host our vision and meet our needs.
The Cassandra reference: Jefferson and Jennifer are total Cassandras. Always projecting doom and disruption into the future, and trying to stay ahead of it. We’ve recruited Jen to our side (it was not very hard!). This entire journey and resultant properties and lifestyle changes are a result of this way of being. We’re embracing our inner Cassandras (in fact, we always have), and are happy with the result. Not only the tumblr is called the Cassandra Complex, but the 2-house compound is as well. Someday, when we have more than chainlink fences, we’ll get an official nametag!
