I am participating in two poignant shows opening this week that raise awareness of very important social issues: female reproductive health and domestic violence. Life Blood Exhibit, the show I curated about menstruation that focuses on female reproductive health, is traveling to Black Door Gallery in Cape Girardeau, MO. And my Domestic Violence audience participatory project will be included in Domestic Violence: Cultural Perspectives at Urban Art Retreat in Chicago, IL.
Life Blood Exhibit
Black Door Gallery
125 S. Spanish
Cape Girardeau, MO
March 2012
Reception: Friday, March 2, 5 - 9 PM
in conjunction with the Cape Girardeau First Friday Art Walk
Gallery hours by appointment.
Domestic Violence: Cultural Perspectives
Urban Art Retreat
1957 S. Spaulding St.
Chicago, IL
March 3 - April 13, 2012
Reception: Saturday, March 3, 1 - 4 PM
Gallery hours Saturdays 11 - 4 or by appointment.
Although I cannot attend the opening reception for this show, please stop by and check out this important exhibition if you can do so.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
What Is Art?
What is Art?
This question comes up a lot. I'm not going to answer it. I don't personally believe that it is my role to do so.
Artists are often asked what their personal interpretations of art are. Interviewers may be intrigued by artists' responses to the art scene and where they see themselves in it. Or they may wonder what cutting edge or avant garde artists perceive of as art to see where their boundaries lie, to get a feel for how open-minded those artists actually are. Or they may just not know what else to ask.
But in the grand scheme of things, is it really the artist's role to define what art is? In the long run it isn't necessarily the artists themselves who make that determination so much as the critics, historians, collectors, patrons, curators, agents, museums, writers... So it always strikes me as somewhat odd that the question is so often posed to artists when their primary role should one of production and not necessarily assessment.
I personally feel that it is the artist's duty to create, ideally without questioning his/her place in the grand scheme of things. Contemplating what is and isn't art encourages one to make a judgment call. If then overthought, this can lead to self-censorship because it can seemingly invalidate or belittle what is perceived of as non-art to one who desires to create true art. It can also promote elitism about what is real art and what isn't and why. My hope is for artists as producers to learn to question and censor themselves less so that they may see where their creativity leads them without worrying about the validity of what they are doing.
This question comes up a lot. I'm not going to answer it. I don't personally believe that it is my role to do so.
Artists are often asked what their personal interpretations of art are. Interviewers may be intrigued by artists' responses to the art scene and where they see themselves in it. Or they may wonder what cutting edge or avant garde artists perceive of as art to see where their boundaries lie, to get a feel for how open-minded those artists actually are. Or they may just not know what else to ask.
But in the grand scheme of things, is it really the artist's role to define what art is? In the long run it isn't necessarily the artists themselves who make that determination so much as the critics, historians, collectors, patrons, curators, agents, museums, writers... So it always strikes me as somewhat odd that the question is so often posed to artists when their primary role should one of production and not necessarily assessment.
I personally feel that it is the artist's duty to create, ideally without questioning his/her place in the grand scheme of things. Contemplating what is and isn't art encourages one to make a judgment call. If then overthought, this can lead to self-censorship because it can seemingly invalidate or belittle what is perceived of as non-art to one who desires to create true art. It can also promote elitism about what is real art and what isn't and why. My hope is for artists as producers to learn to question and censor themselves less so that they may see where their creativity leads them without worrying about the validity of what they are doing.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
February Anniversary EBay Auctions
Please feel free to check out my art anniversary eBay auctions for February! I am listing some of my Forbidden Fruits pieces in honor of Valentine's Day and Mardi Gras. You can learn more about these listings on the blog or at my eBay store:
10-Year Anniversary Blog
EBay Store
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Art of the Week: Empathy
I had a blast at FLUXFEST Chicago 2012 this past weekend. It was wonderful to meet so many talented creative people from so many walks of life and there were so many great readings and performances and shows. I am honored to have been able to participate. It was a remarkable and memorable experience and Keith Buchholz did a great job organizing and curating it. Thank you and way to go Keith, it was truly amazing and you really outdid yourself!
I performed this piece, Please Have Empathy, in conjunction with the Long Form Flux performances and installations at the Chicago Cultural Center on Saturday to raise awareness of homelessness. My hope is that those who bore witness to the performance will see one another differently later on when they encounter each other on the street. I am posting it here as Art of the Week; in this photo I am sitting in the stairwell at the second floor, though I had also stationed myself in the second floor doorway until it was requested I move because I posed a fire hazard in that location.
The sign reads:
PLEASE HAVE EMPATHY. I am a person too, with basic needs and feelings, and I should not be ignored. Homelessness affects all of us, poverty is everywhere.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Valentine's Day eBay auctions
Happy Valentine's Day!
I am listing some bonus eBay auctions for Valentine's Day as part of my 10-year anniversary celebration. You can read more about them on that blog or check them out at my eBay store.
10 Year Anniversary Valentine's Day listing information
Jennifer Weigel's eBay store
I am listing some bonus eBay auctions for Valentine's Day as part of my 10-year anniversary celebration. You can read more about them on that blog or check them out at my eBay store.
10 Year Anniversary Valentine's Day listing information
Jennifer Weigel's eBay store
Monday, February 6, 2012
This Week
I am excited to participate in FLUXFEST in Chicago this week. There will be all kinds of performances, interactive art stations, mail art shows and other happenings. It will be great fun!
FLUXFEST Chicago 2012
organized and curated by Keith Buchholz
Chicago, IL
Feb. 9 - 12, 2012
FLUXFEST Chicago 2012
organized and curated by Keith Buchholz
Chicago, IL
Feb. 9 - 12, 2012
Friday, February 3, 2012
February Raffle
In honor of Valentine's Day and Mardi Gras, and to welcome the Naughti Gras show at Koken Art Factory, I am offering my Nice Melons piece as the prize for my February raffle, as pictured here. Please feel free to drop by, check it out and enter, just follow the link below.
http://10yearsofjenniferweigelart.blogspot.com/2012/02/february-raffle-enter-to-win-this.html
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