On View February 7–27, 2016

Featured image: Hidemi Takagi, Hello, it’s me, Photo Installation; Digital C-Prints, 2015

The Engaging Artists exhibition features the work of 8 NYC-based first generation and foreign born artists, who participated in the Engaging Artists Residency. The works emerge from grassroots volunteering as a catalyst for social practice. In 2015, More Art’s Engaging Artist Residents developed long-term projects to connect with aging populations through multilingual art-making projects, recreation activities, and conversations at nursing homes and community centers in their home neighborhoods—from Flushing, Queens to Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

This exhibit features works that serve as documentation and response to critical issues associated with aging, health, home, and isolation through the lens of contemporary art. Engaging Artists fosters intergenerational exchange and diverse artistic perspectives on the challenges associated with aging and immigration in New York City.

Featuring artwork by Annie Kurz, Aurélien Grèzes, Christie Neptune, Hidemi Takagi, Michelle Melo, Sara Meghdari, Soi Park, and Uday K. Dhar. Closing reception features a live composition and dance performance by Alon Nechushtan and Andrew Nemr.

Schedule of Events

Sunday, February 7, 2-3:30pm
Artists.Roundtable (A.RT): Art + Intergenerational Exchange
2015 Engaging Artists Residents will be in dialogue around the challenges surrounding working in community settings with immigrant senior populations. The event co-produced by More Art and Artist Volunteer Center and supported as part of the A.RT series sponsored by Musagetes. A.RT is a platform that proposes new models for bridging artistic and scientific methods. Moderated by Silvia Juliana Mantilla, IMI Corona Community Organizer and Artist Services Coordinator, the Queen Museum, Department of Public Programs and Community Engagement. To RSVP for the artist talk email: info@moreart.org. Location: Theater, 2nd Floor

Sunday, February 7, 3:30-5:30pm
Engaging Artists Opening Reception
Meet the exhibiting artists and learn more about their experience process of working with seniors throughout NYC. Location: Community Partnership Gallery

Sunday, February 14, 1-4pm
Family Art-making: “Memory Mats” Weaving Past and Present
More Art teaching artists will lead a textile-based collage activity. Both children and adults (ages 4+) are encouraged to design a set of drawn symbols and brief descriptions of memories on patches of textured fabric. Families will use thread and yarn weave these patches together, incorporating multi-generational perspectives into a single memory mat. The final object can be both decorative and used at family meals. Location: Community Partnership Gallery

Saturday, February 27, 4-6pm
Engaging Artists Closing Reception & Live Performance
Meet the exhibiting artists for a walkthrough of the exhibit and enjoy a live musical performance exploring intercultural exchange and cultural heritage by Alon Nechushtan and Andrew Nemr. Location: Community Partnership Gallery

About More Art

More Art is a nonprofit organization that fosters collaborations between contemporary artists and underrepresented communities to create thought-provoking public art and educational programs that encourage social change. Since its inception in 2004, More Art has produced a wide range of projects reflecting the concerns and challenges of various New York City residents, including: aging, gentrification, homelessness, immigration, and war trauma.

We thank the Artist Volunteer Center for facilitating volunteer opportunities in community organizations.

Supporters
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

Subsidized programming and studio space for Engaging Artists Residency provided by:
School of Visual Arts (SVA) and Industry City