#wrong clothing

Undeterred. Look and learn. 1940.

Just around the corner from SMFA, on Vancouver St., you may have noticed a curious sign that reads YES.OUI.SI. To find out a little bit more about what goes on under that mysterious sign, we spoke with founding partners of the space, Miguel de Braganza, a Berklee School of Music student, and Olivia Ives-Flores, a 2011 SMFA alumna. What’s the meaning behind your name YES.OUI.SI.? Olivia: Triple affirmative yes! And it’s also a play on words: “yes we see.” How was it started? Olivia: We started as an informal group of friends who enjoyed collaborating with sight and sound. We frequented museums, concerts and basement shows, but found no place where music and art were united. Then, under the identity of the GreatFruit Collective, which was comprised SMFA, MassArt and Berklee students, we started doing these spontaneous pop-up shows, in houses, in the streets and empty office buildings. Miguel: We found that exhibiting art and music in the same space created an exciting synergy, and that’s something that we became, and still are, really interested in. So after having hosted several successful pop-ups, we sought out a permanent space. It was to be the destination of choice for the supporters of contemporary artists and musicians, a unique, multi-sensory venue that offered a vibrant environment where both connoisseurs and the curious could gather and experience firsthand the creativity of fresh new talent. Tell us about some of the events you’ve had. Miguel: Well, since YOS’s conception, we’ve hosted numerous art shows, concerts and film screenings. We have a lot of friends at SMFA, MassArt, Berklee and NEC, so naturally there is a lot of collaboration. Olivia: We’ve exhibited the work of several SMFA students including Steven St. Francis Decky, Alexa Guariglia and Jaques Cazaubon Seronde, all of which were outstanding shows. Do you have anything coming up? Olivia: There are three upcoming shows featuring the work of recent SMFA graduates, Michael Miguel Horowitz (October 9), Adrian Molina (November 11), and Zacharie Lanoue whose show “Wrong Clothing” opened Saturday September 10.  Zach’s opening was a great success and a ton of fun–it  featured a burlesque performance choreographed by Pamela Passion, with costumes by Zacharie Lanoue and music by Mobtet. Miguel: Not your typical gallery opening. We’ll be posting footage online soon! Be sure check out their website and blog for news about upcoming events, or to see how you could become involved with the space: www.yesouisispace.com www.blog.yesouisispace.com

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