WE-ARE-FAMILIA is an extensive global network of creative individuals from all disciplines. Our primary ongoing project is a series of 25 one-of-a kind keepsake boxes made from recycled furniture and surplus materials, each showcasing original “mementos” contributed by our family of artists. This summer, with help from Art Assets, Atlantic Assets and GFI Realty, WE-ARE-FAMILIA has also transformed a formerly vacant storefront into a POP-UP! Gallery, Open Studio and Art Event Space at 539 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, New York. Please see below for updates and become our fan. For inquiries via e-mail: art at we-are-familia dot com
You are invited to We-Are-Familia’s writing workshop hosted by Randy Antonia Lott and Nikki Burst. Photocopies of miscellaneous text are cut into small word groups and literally pasted down to form a chaotic and random basis for experimental short stories. The technique can be traced to the surrealists in the 1920s, but was popularized by writer William S. Burroughs in the late 1950s. It has since been used in a wide variety of contexts– Collage, which was popularized roughly contemporaneously with the Surrealist movement, sometimes incorporated texts such as newspapers or brochures. In the 1970s, David Bowie used cut-ups to create some of his lyrics… and since the 1990s, Jeff Noon has used a similar remixing technique in his writing based on practices prevalent in Dub music.
Cut + Paste Writing Workshop
Thursday, July 29th 6 to 9pm
We-Are-Familia POP-UP! Gallery and Event Space
539 Atlantic Ave Brooklyn, NY
rsvp: art at we-are-familia dot com
This Saturday, July 31st, Open Space Gallery presents Electric Windows 2010. Thirty artists including We-Are-Familia members Thundercut and Chris Yormick will converge in Beacon, New York to create live artwork and have their work installed on the exterior of a 19th century factory building and 2 additional Installation sites. The day also includes live music acts, food vendors, dancing by M*POWER ELITE TEAM, and live screen printing by Buxtonia. Other participating artists include: Big Foot, Buxtonia, BoogieRez, Cern, Chor Boogie, Chris Stain, Depo, Elbow Toe, Elia Gurna, Ellis G, Erik Otto, Eugene Good, Faust, Gaia, Joe Iurato, Kid Zoom, Mr Kiji, Logan Hicks, Lotem & Aviv, Michael De Feo, Paper Monster, Peat Wollaeger, Rick Price, Ron English, Ryan Bubnis, Ryan Williams, and Skewville.
Flarf is an international avant-garde poetry movement of the late 20th century / early 21st century whose 30+ practitioners explore “the inappropriate” in all of its guises. Their method is to mine the Internet with odd search terms then distill the results into often hilarious and sometimes disturbing poems, plays, and other texts. Recently profiled on the front page of The Wall Street Journal, the Flarf Collective create hilarious, shocking, and sometimes downright offensive works. Tonight, host and Flarfista Sharon Mesmer will introduce some of the collective’s New York members: Shanna Compton (Down Spooky), Katie Degentesh (The Anger Scale), Nada Gordon (Folly), Gary Sullivan (PPL In A Depot), Brandon Downing (Dark Brandon), and Drew Gardner (Petroleum Hat).
Reading:
Thursday, July 22, 2010 6 to 8 PM
We-Are-Familia POP-UP! Gallery and Event Space
539 Atlantic Avenue Brooklyn, New York
Growing up in a rural environment, isolated from urban and popular culture, Jacob Williams began creating at a young age, making toys and games for himself out of the materials around him. Now, inspired by his youth, traditional and popular cultures, iconic imagery, and his chaotic journeys abroad, Williams’ work reflects the emotional and physical extremes of the human experience. Traditional figures, familiar cartoon and anime characters collide in his collages, creating vibrant worlds teeming with colors and images, always appearing on the verge of chaos or violence, juxtaposing the beautiful and the unnerving, joy and pain. “Ghosts, devils, monsters and lunatics often populate my paintings,” says Williams. “I would say these are somehow facets of the human personality in extreme. I see my characters like people with their masks off, revealing human psychology with latent desires and hidden intentions made bare.” His equally vibrant and energetic sculptures, whether a message in neon wire or a flaming sword, reflect the themes of entrapment and desire, as well as
the confrontation between life and death, as they reach out and command their space. Join us in Jacob Williams’ celebration of the exuberance and strangeness of the human spirit.
Opening
Thursday, July 15th 6 to 9PM WE-ARE-FAMILIA
POP-UP! Gallery and Event Space
539 Atlantic Avenue Brooklyn, New York
On view every weekend 1pm to 6pm until August 15.
art at we-are-familia dot com
Here is the cheeky instructional video companion to We-Are-Familia contributor Mike Skinner’s installation at PS1/MoMA in conjunction with his Arup team and So-Il, winner of the Young Architects program this year. It is amazing what they accomplished by turning fiberglass poles into interactive instruments. Please head out to PS1 this summer and give it a try!
Former Kidrobot Creative Director Chad Phillips shows us how to reuse everyday objects to create fun toys. Bring an empty 2-liter bottle or any plastic drinking bottle with you to customize. Other supplies and ideas will be on hand. Fun for all ages!
TOY MAKING WORKSHOP
at WE-ARE-FAMILIA’s
POP UP! Gallery and Event Space
539 Atlantic Avenue Brooklyn, New York.
Sunday, July 11th 2010
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Please join us this Thursday, June 24th from 8:30 PM to 9:00 PM for “Strong Sweet Waves” (Magic Trick). Sea and love songs by Khine Cho Hline and Nina Mehta of bands First Nation and Rings from Animal Collective’s Paw Tracks label. Video installation by Jonathan Turner. DJ Toy Baron spinning afterwards. Also on display: We-Are-Familia’s ongoing Keepsake Box project and photos by Tobias Zarius.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
8:30pm – 9:00pm
We-Are-Familia Pop-Up!
539 Atlantic Avenue Brooklyn, NY
art (at) we-are-familia (dot) com
You are invited to an opening reception for Jeff Lewis’ grid drawings this Friday, June 11, 2010 from 6 to 8PM, followed by an interactive electronic music performance and DJ set by Mitchell Akiyama from 8 to 10PM. Also on display: Our ongoing Keepsake Box project + photos by Tobias Zarius.
WE-ARE-FAMILIA
POP UP! Gallery and Event Space
539 Atlantic Avenue
Brooklyn, New York
What would happen if you had every generation of the greatest designers interpreting a modern day design icon? New York is a city that loves a challenge. When Joe Doucet and Chad Phillips engaged the most famous and innovative designers working in this great city to create one-of-a-kind interpretations of Kidrobot’s iconic MUNNY character, they jumped at the opportunity. The result is a never before seen group event featuring generations of design icons in one location transforming one form. Profero has created an innovative online event to document this moment in history and to extend the experience to those not fortunate enough to attend the event in person. Participating designers include Brad Ascalon, David Weeks, Dror Benshetrit, Frederick McSwain, Harry Allen, Jason MIller, Jeff Miller, Jeffrey Bernett, Joe Doucet, Josee Lepage, Karim Rashid, Lindsey Adelman, Manuel Saez, Marc Thorpe, Marcus Tremonto, Mathew Bradshaw + Sergio Silva, Rich Brillant Willing, Richard Shemtov, Sebastian Errazuriz, Stephen Burks, Tobias Wong and Vladimir Kagan.
Press Preview
Saturday, May 15th 7pm-8pm
Ace Hotel
20 W 29th St?New York, NY 10001
RSVP rsvp@munnyexhibit.com
