SCV: How did you go about figuring out which artists specifically to include in the show? And which artists did you choose?
KK: Not coming from a feminist background I began by doing a little over 8 months of research; I followed the written chain from one artist to the next and ultimately compiled a frightfully Excel spreadsheet that should ultimately stand as a tribute to OCD at its finest and includes information on over 400 artists who have done work in this vein. I then painstakingly narrowed the list to fit the venue. But I was committed to the partially invitational, partially juried format because I believe that allowing for a range of works, curating to court the unexpected, is crucial to fostering a dynamic dialogue and so ultimately even this portion of the curating process remained a labor of love. In keeping with this spirit I don’t see a need to distinguish between the invitational and the juried artists…unless of course you’d like to offer me a bribe in which case that extra 23-odd-cents-to-the-dollar will do the trick.
SCV: Are there plans to have the show go onto wider pastures?
The show has attracted an organic interest and I am currently in conversation with a couple of other venues that have expressed interest in the possibility of hosting an expanded version of exhibition. Which would be amazing as I would love to include any number of additional artists. We’re also in the process of planning a couple of events to be held in conjunction with Artbooks @ X-initiative as well as at A.I.R. Gallery itself, we should have finalized details in the next few days.
SCV: Do you think the press does a good job of canvassing feministic concerns and would you argue that the press on some level reiterates themes that serve to aggrandize the way women are perceived (the beauty object, )
KK: It is Vogue’s job to remind women that their most important task is to police their personal appearance. I facetiously pick on Vogue at random as this market strategy obviously holds true for all press publications: if each and every woman is not instilled with a constant, nagging sense of insecurity then what oh what would any media publication’s advertisers have to play to? And without the advertisers where would the media be? Feminism does not pay the bills.
SCV: How does an individual assert their own choices in the face of a too often caustic society with indoctrinated belief systems especially ones that hold women in a particular status quo position?
KK:I’ve always embraced the use of humor and irreverence in re-orienting a bitter system. The use of parody and other devaluation technique are extremely effective in discrediting deep-rooted traditions, plus they allow the individual to enjoy what would otherwise be quite a miserable ride towards reformation. Irony is still a huge driving technique in all things hipster….with enough irony you can even read Vogue.
Editorial update: as received from Kharis.
Just got confirmation from X-initiative and so the momentum builds! A.I.R. Gallery will present a screening + performance event in conjunction with ARTBOOK at X-initiative on Wednesday, January 27th from 6:00-8:00pm. (The “in conjunction with ARTBOOK at X-initiative” is an important bit as ARTBOOK really went to bat for the concept.) Full program details to be announced but it is confirmed that we will be premiering two of Sarah Maple’s new video works which should be quite a treat as her video work has never before been seen on U.S. soil!
