Recently I attended a two-day symposium leading up to the opening of an exhibition at the New Museum by Carlos Motta titled We Who Feel Differently. I wrote a piece for Hyperallergic about the symposium and the ideas behind it. TheContinue reading
The Role of Artists
As some of you may know, I’m working on a book about the role of artists and the arts in society, particularly the US. While I’m working on the book, I’m also working on publishing journalism around the topic. Just recently I’ve published two OpEds on the subject, specifically related to funding for artists:
• New Data Reveals Artists Aren’t Gettin’ Paid
• Aren’t They Happier That Way? Artists and the NEA
There will be more articles on the subject going forward, so keep an eye out on my Twitter feed.
Continue readingInformal Reading of New Play
I’ve decided to do an informal reading of my newest play at the place that helped inspire it. It’s free and open to the public, plus those in attendance are welcome to read parts from the script.
Here’s some basic info:
Useless
Written by Alexis Clements
Friday, May 11 at 7pm.
Informal reading at the Lesbian Herstory Archives (484 14th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215)
Free.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Some of those present will be able to read parts in the play – actors welcome.
There are seven roles in the play, all female. Ages range from 15-78. Multi-ethnic cast.
Read more about the play here.
You can get the full info about the reading on Facebook. You can also get in touch if you need more info or are interested in reading one of the parts.
Continue readingCollaborating with Seniors at University Settlement
This spring I’ll be working with a group of seniors at University Settlement’s Houston Street Center on a project to generate a short performance piece with the working title, How to Get By in New York City. This is my first time collaborating with a community organization. My hope is to incorporate dance, video, and performance into the piece.
University Settlement is the oldest settlement house in the US and they just celebrated their 125th anniversary in 2010. The organization has a fascinating history, including anecdotes about Eleanor Roosevelt teaching dance classes there as a young woman. For the 125th, I did an interview with Alison Fleminger, who runs their Performance Project. If you didn’t get a chance to read it, you can have a look at the link below:
• “The Rebirth of the Settlement House Movement“
Cultural Strategies Initiative
I’ve recently joined the Cultural Strategies Initiative as a Fellow. It’s a relatively new organization that’s focused on building “cross-sector projects and knowledge that will help to illuminate and activate art’s role in saving the world.” No small ambitions here!
Anyhow, as a fellow I’ll be continuing my arts journalism work and undertake a new book project that I started on late last year. In this book I’ll be examining the ways that the arts are currently valued in the US and suggest an entirely new way of thinking about their value. No small ambitions here either…
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