SOTA

Hello SOTA listeners! In this episode, we interview local artist, Larsen Husby, reviewed the Altered Esthetics Film Festival, and discussed the recent acquisitions of works by women artists at the Brooklyn Museum. See the links below for more info! As always, please subscribe to SOTA, write us a review, and feel free to reach out to us! Reference Links: Larsen Husby’s Website Altered Esthetics Homepage and Film Festival Info GalcierHub article on Scaling Quelccaya by Meredith Leich Altered Esthetic interview with featured artist, Sami Pfeffer Facebook page for band, Inside Voice Featured artist, Reb L. Limerick ArtNews article on Brooklyn Museum Acquisition 

Hello SOTAns, We have some fun things for you this week! In the news we talk about artists participating in the Aichi Trienniale who asked for their work to be taken down, in reaction to a closure of a gallery in the exhibition alleged as censorship. We then talk about the Andy Warhol retrospective exhibition at SFMOMA and if the most famous figures in art history can be presented in a fresh way or, if they even need to be. Then, we have a fabulous interview with local artists Regan Golden! References: Artists Demand Removal of Work from Aichi Triennale Following Censorship Controversy – ArtNews Andy Warhol—From A to B and Back Again – SFMOMA Regen Golden’s Website

In the news, we discuss how the artists of the Whitney Biennial leveraged their very presence in protest of Warren Kanders (of Defence company Safariland) continuing to sit on the Board of the Institution. Kanders officially resigned his position at the Whitney in late July. We discussed how Museums can better equip themselves to appeal to a neurodiverse audience, and what the benefits are for institutions who make small changes to be more inclusive. Finally, Sarah interviewed the talented and dynamic sculptor Kelly O’Brien. ‘It’s Just the Beginning’: Art World Responds to Warren B. Kanders’s Resignation from Whitney Board Warren Kanders Quits Whitney Board After Tear Gas Protests Kelly O’Brien Sculpture Instagram @kosculpture

Greetings SOTAns! This week we highlight ways you can engage in physical activity at some of your favorite local art museums! Take advantage of these while the summer still lasts! We also discuss Hearts of Our People: Native Women Artists at Mia and why it is both important and timely. Sarah wraps things up with an interview with local multimedia artist Jacob Aaron Schroeder. References SculTours at the Walker Yoga at the WAM Hiking with ASI Yoga at Des Moines Art Center Hearts of Our People: Native Women Artists Jacob Aaron Schroeder

Hello SOTAns! This week, we give you a little blast from the past in the news when we talk about former a Mia curator leading the charge to return Nazi-looted art! We then discuss local mental health and art resources–who are they and what services do they provide to the community? Sarah wraps it up with an excellent interview with local illustrator, Christi Furnas. References: “After 75 Years, Germany Will Return a Nazi-Looted Old Master Painting to the Uffizi in Florence” -ArtNet News ARTS PROGRAMS in Minnesota for Adults with Disabilities Avivo ArtWorks Artability Christi Furnas’s Website

Hello SOTAns! This week, we are bringing you the special Pride Program we made in collaboration with KFAI Minneapolis. This aired live on Pride Sunday and features an interview with local, queer artist Christine Furnas, a discussion on local, creative, queer spaces, and a review of the Stonewall at 50 event at Mia! We hope you all had a happy Pride! References: SOTA: State of the Arts on KFAI Quatrefoil Library A Conspiracy of Strange Girls Tailorbird Tattoo Rare Productions Ritual Print Co. Feminist Video Quarterly Stonewall at 50 at Mia

Hello SOTA listeners! This week in the news, we discuss the Arts + All Museums Salary Transparency 2019 spreadsheet where thousands of cultural workers are anonymously presenting their locations, position, and pay. Hopefully, the results can help lead to closing economic gaps in the art world. Next, Jasa helps to demystify the question, “What is Digital Art?” Sure, you may get the concept, but we go into detail about some popular denominations and particularly highlight the realm where digital and sound art meet! This is inspired by our upcoming SOTA Projects launch, Terraforming by Danelle Cloutier, who works in digital sound art. Finally, Sarah presents an interview with Amy Rice, a local artist and printmaker who uses nontraditional print-making methods, often with wet media on natural-based surfaces. She aims to make a tangible or visceral connection between the materials used and the image rendered. Don’t forget to join us TONIGHT, June 16th at 9pm in Boom Island Park for a community star-gazing experience titled Terraforming, by Danelle Cloutier! Details HERE. References: Arts + All Museums Salary Transparency 2019 spreadsheet Museum Workers Share Their Salaries and Urge Industry-Wide Reform – Hyperallergic What is Digital Art? Definition and Scope of the New Media – Medium Danelle Cloutier on SoundCloud Amy Rice’s Website

Hello SOTAns!! This week, in a special mini-episode, Sarah talks to Dustin Steuck (see the episode “Dustin Steuck and Noah Purifoy Outdoor Museum” from October 7th, 2018) to discuss the history of the Stonewall Riots, their impact on the LGBTQ+ Rights movement, and the (FREE!!) Stonewall@50 event at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts happening on Friday, June 14th from 6 – 9 pm. Thanks for listening, and Happy Pride Month!

Hello SOTAland! We are thrilled about this episode! We are switching it up this week, with Sarah serving up the critical discussion while Jasa presents an exciting interview. In the news, we dive right into addressing the budget the Democratic party has recently unveiled, benefitting the NEA and proposing to raise their funding significantly! Unsurprisingly, there are rough waters ahead in this budgetary debate. Sarah presents a segment that we’ve dubbed Getting Wiley with Gauguin! She highlights painter, Kehinde Wiley’s, new portrait series, depicting subjects of people in the community of Tahiti’s third gender. She contrasts Wiley’s powerful portrayals from the well-known paintings of Tahiti by art historical figure, Paul Gauguin, and the related, sordid history. In conjunction with the first edition of SOTA Projects, Jasa interviews Canadian audio engineer and journalist, Danelle Cloutier. Danelle’s work blends captured audio with music and experimental sounds. The sound art experience she is presenting to the public with SOTA, titled Terraforming, uses NASA audio recordings from space to explore the feeling of existential loneliness. Remember to join us on June 16th, beginning at 9pm for the Terraforming experience! The location is TBD so, follow our blog and social media for updates! We will be gathering, lying on blankets, and gazing at the stars while listening to the sound art. Feel free to bring a blanket, headphones, and friends! References: “Dems boost National Endowment for Arts funding after Trump proposes eliminating it” – The Hill National Endowment for the Arts Website Getting Wiley with Gauguin: Original article: Detailed portraits of Tahiti’s Third Gender… Artist Kehinde Wiley’s Latest Paintings Are a Progressive Riposte to Paul Gauguin’s Primitivist Portraits of Tahitians Kehinde Wiley’s ‘Tahiti’ Exhibition Confronts the Legacy of Paul Gauguin Kehinde Wiley’s website Gauguin’s history: ‘The art world tolerates abuse’ – the fight to change museum wall labels Rare Photographs Could Show Paul Gauguin in Tahiti Paul Gauguin Receiving Fresh Spotlight In Two Widely Varying Exhibits Is it wrong to admire Paul Gauguin’s art?

Hello SOTA listeners! It’s SOTA-nice to see you. Just kidding! We are always ecstatic for you to be joining us. The news this episode is about US! We have a Big Announcement! Next month, SOTA Projects will be launching! SOTA will be infiltrating the physical dimension, bringing pop-up exhibitions and happenings around the Twin Cities. Be sure to add your email at the bottom of this page to get notifications for when we announce programs to the public! Also, follow us on Instagram and Facebook to get the latest announcements as well. Please, visit our new SOTA Projects page for more information and check back at our calendar below for event listings. Now, onto the art–why we’re all here. You can look forward to Jasa dealing out the DL on biennials and art fairs–What are they? How do they function in the art world? What’s the difference between them? All shall be answered, friends! Sarah gives a lively review of the exhibition ‘Ardkore, A Thing Like You and Me by local multimedia artist Christopher Corey Allen at Hair and Nails gallery in Minneapolis. Go, and be artful! References: International Biennial Foundation Website Christopher Cory Allen’s Website Hair + Nails

Hello SOTA listeners! We have some delicious ‘sota-flavored offerings this week! In the news, we’re heading back to our beloved Midwestern neighbor, Iowa, as we talk about a statue in the prison system that forbids portrayals of nudity, even in arts and medical educational materials. We then delve into the issue of privilege in the arts, and specifically how coming from wealth increases one’s likeliness of entering the arts field. (No one is surprised.) Then, we present an interview with local artist Alex Peterson, whose color-rich, flat paintings may fool you as prints at first impression! References: “Can Iowa Prevent Prisoners from Accessing and Creating Nude Art?” – Hyperallergic “A Study Says High Family Income Significantly Increases Likelihood of Becoming an Artist” – Hyperallergic Alex Petersen’s Website

Hello SOTAns! This week in the news, we talk about how the Met Museum has hired Marie Kondo to deaccession objects in their collection. Presumably, only that which sparks joy may remain. Jasa took a recent trip to the lovely city of Des Moines, Iowa and recounts the pleasantly surprising art world there. Sarah presents an interview with local artist Alison Hiltner whose work, often mechanical or biological in nature, presents the viewer with an in-depth, organic experience. References: “Art Industry News: Metropolitan Museum of Art Hires Marie Kondo to Deaccession Works That Don’t ‘Spark Joy’ + Other Stories” – Artnet Des Moines Art Center  Alison Hiltner’s Website

Greetings SOTA listeners! This week, the news and critical topic are combined in the wake of the disappearance of an installation Desert X exhibition. Vandalism and theft of public art is no uncommon occurrence when objects are placed in the public sphere and the Twin Cities has encountered these issues in recent history as well. Why even put up public art, especially temporary installations, if they’re vulnerable? We then bring you an interview with local artist, Sophia Songmi, whose work approaches difficult dichotomies: the artists’ identity as both Chinese and Korean, subversive media messaging and patriarchal power, and self-sacrifice versus self care. References: “Desert X Sculpture by Eric N. Mack Vanishes Under Mysterious Circumstances” – Artnews Sophia Songmi’s Website

Hello SOTAns! We’re playing it fast and loose in this episode. First, in the news, we discuss how the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland has gone admission-free, how Twin Cities institutions make that work, and also the affects free admission has on the community. We also discuss the Without Boundaries: Fiber Sculpture and Paintings by Women, on view at Mia. Here, we discuss the intersection of media hierarchy, generated disparity, and fine art vs. craft in museum representation. Sarah brings us a gem of an interview with local artist Teresa Audet, who is also working at the intersection of fine art and craft. Tune in for all this good stuff, plus our gratuitous banter! References: “Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland Will Become Free as Part of Inclusivity Initiative” – Art News Without Boundaries: Fiber Sculptures and Paintings by Women Teresa Audet’s Website

Hi SOTAns! In the news, we give a verbal high-five to the NEA for coming through with their 2019 grants on time, despite the government shut down! We are also so happy to bring you a discussion this week centered around the importance of programming in the arts. Jasa talks about her experience viewing a screening of City of Joy at the Hammer. We then tackle the personal impact of this experience, how programming in the arts works, and why it’s important. Sarah presents an interview with local artist, Tiffany Lang , who explores idea of gender roles while questioning the tradition of painting. References: “Week in Review: Amazon Cancels Queens HQ2, NEA Awards Grants Despite Shutdown” – Hyperallergic “Government Shutdown Jeopardizes Major Exhibition Celebrating Women’s Suffrage Centennial” – Hyperallergic City of Joy film City of Joy Hammer event Tiffany Lange’s Website

Salutations SOTAns! In the news, we discuss the findings of the recently published Art Museum Staff Demographic Survey 2018, which notes that diversity in art museum staff is *marginally* increasing. Then, the big moment is here for the project Jasa has been working on, Desert X! After two years in the making, the opening week is here. Jasa relates the experience about working behind the scenes on a biennial and highlights the unique experience of the exhibition in the desert. Sarah brings us a wonderful interview with local artist, Dakota Hoska. References: Art Museum Staff Demographic Survey 2018 “Diversity in Museum Leadership Has Marginally Increased Since 2015, New Survey Says” – Hyperallergic Desert X Dakota Hoska’s Website MN Original special on Dakota Hoska from 2017

Hello SOTAns! We have exciting stuff for you this week! We dive in with a discussion on how to curate art exhibitions that involves communities which you do not represent. It’s a multifaceted conversation where be both bring personal experiences to the table. Relatedly, we talk about the nudity ban on Tumblr and how it affects specific communities, particularly in the art world. Lastly, we present an interview with local artist, Justin Nelson, whose work was directly affected by this ban. We hope you enjoy! We sure did. References: “Tumblr’s nudity ban removes one of the last major refuges for pornography on social media” – Washington Post “Tumblr’s ban on adult content is pushing artists and sex workers to other sites, such as Twitter and Patreon” – CNBC “What Tumblr’s Porn Ban Really Means” – The Atlantic Justin Nelson’s Tumblr

Hello SOTA listeners! We are excited to bring you our first episode of 2019! We are beginning to implement a lot of changes and improvements starting this new year. We hope you enjoy some of our experiments and as always, enjoy the content as we bring word on our local arts community! This week in the news, we discuss the government shut down and how it affects workers in the arts. Last week, workers officially starting missing their paychecks and many museum remain closed. We also scarped the surface on unpaid labor in the arts, an issue that perpetually plagues the art world. Finally, we bring you an interview with Christopher Selleck, who you may remember from our episode where we reviewed his exhibition This is a Record! Thank you for tuning in, SOTAns! We are so delighted to be with you in the new year! Intro: Gallery 427’s Website Only Human Opening Event Page Government Shutdown and the Arts: National Gallery of Art Closes to the Public, Latest Victim of U.S. Government Shutdown – ArtNews Federal art institutions For more details on current and upcoming shows Transformer: Native Art in Light and Sound – closes Jan. 6 – National Museum of the American Indian City of Hope: Resurrection City and the 1968 Poor People’s Campaign – closes Jan. 6 – National Museum of American History Trail of Tears: A Story of Cherokee Removal – closes Jan. 31 – National Museum of the American Indian Unpaid Labor in the Arts: The Art World Plague of Unpaid Internships – Hyperallergic Women’s invisible labor and the art world – E-flux WAGE’s Website WOMANIFESTO Christopher Selleck: MN Artists

Salutations, SOTAns! This week Sarah interviews Jonathan Aller who is an illustrator turned oil painter who blends his background in animation drawing with classical painting approaches to create works based off conversations with the sitters. Jasa reviews the exhibition From Non-Conformism to Feminisms: Russian Women Artists from the Kolodzei Art Foundation at the Museum of Russian Art of Art in Minneapolis. She touches on some history behind the collection, exhibition design, and highlights some favorite projects such as The Museum of a Woman. In the news, we discuss how the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, New Hampshire has made a free community program that focuses on engaging with those whose family and friends are afflicted by addiction–particularly as an effect of the opioid crisis. References: Jonathan Aller’s Website From Non-Conformism to Feminisms: Russian Women Artists from the Kolodzei Art Foundation at the Russian Museum of Art The Kolodzei Art Foundation Tania Antoshina Website Museum Creates Program for Families Suffering from the Opioid Crisis- Hyperallergic

Greeting SOTAns! This week Sarah catches us up on what past SOTA interviewees have been up to recently. Many exciting things have been going on so, listen in for the inside scoop! Jasa addresses the Egypt’s Sunken Cities exhibition at Mia and leads a discussion on the art museum vs. the history museum experience. In the news, we talk about the cutest story we have covered yet! Two cats have been attempting to enter a museum in Japan, prompting a friendly relationship with a museum guard. ps. We apologize for the belated post! We experienced some unexpected technical difficulties. Please enjoy this episode nonetheless! References: Larsen Husby’s Website Marit Block’s Website Jes Reyes’s Online Store Dustin Steuck on MNartists Egypt’s Sunken Cities at Mia Denied Entry, Cats Try to Paw Past Japanese Museum Security Guard – Hyperallergic