//Intermedia Arts is a catalyst that builds understanding among people through art.//
|
//Intermedia Arts is a catalyst that builds understanding among people through art.// |
| |
Immigrant Status: ContributionsSeptember 28, 2006 - January 6, 2007 |
|
Press Release |
|
|
Media Advisory/Photo Opportunity Intermedia Arts presents
Immigrant Status: ContributionsOpening Night Reception--September 28, 2006, 6:30 PM
Art creates the balance between the chaos around me and the peace inside me. If I can share my culture through my art, maybe you won't be afraid of me. This is my contribution. WHAT:On September 28, 2006 Intermedia Arts will celebrate the opening of its new gallery exhibit, Contributions by hosting an opening night reception in honor of the creative contributions of the many visual, performing, media and literary artists who now call Minnesota home. Contributions is the fourth and final installment of Immigrant Status, a multidisciplinary arts series that sheds light on the many variations of the new immigrant experience. Contributions was created by, for and about new immigrant artists, curators, and community leaders, including curators Edwin Beylerian (multi-media artist, Lebanon) and Koffi Mbairamadji (painter and filmmaker, Chad); and selection panelists Heba Amin (painter, Egypt), Lizbeth Lopez (visual artist, Mexico) and Peter Haakon-Thompson (Intermedia Arts gallery consultant)."I am a Saudi woman artist. My work explores religious and social belief systems, especially those dealing with women, sexuality and understanding the 'other'." (Hend Al-Mansour, textile installations, Saudi Arabia). "I was born in Tlatelolco, Mexico. My artistic life began when I was eight years old. I started making my own toys with empty boxes of chewing gum that we sold in the street." (Betto Limón, sculptor, Mexico). "It is hard to separate life from art. During my childhood in India, I spent time with my grandmother, mother and relatives learning how to decorate the floor of our house with chalk powder or rice flour, decorate our hands and feet with henna, and our clothes with embroidery." (Shakun Maheshwari, painting and photography, India). "Painting is like catharsis. It releases my heart from depression. Ideas come almost everyday - political, religious. I don't know how to write it on a piece of paper but my painting can speak for me." (Toto Sugiarto, painting and batik, Indonesia). "I was 46 years old when I had to leave Iran. Involuntary immigration pushed me into an ocean of loneliness, confusion and depression. My obsession with memories eventually led me to try, however feebly, to recreate my memories of Iran through miniature art." (Niccu Taffarodi, miniature art, Iran). We invite you now to see the world through different eyes. Reception includes international cuisine and cultural performances. Funding generously provided by The Wallace Foundation, The Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation, the Bush Foundation, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation. WHEN/WHERE:Opening Night Reception--Thursday, September 28, 20066:30 PM - 9:30PMat Intermedia Arts 2822 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis Free and open to the public PHOTO/INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:Digital photos, audio, video, interview and photo opportunities are available upon request.ABOUT IMMIGRANT STATUS:Immigrant Status is a multi-disciplinary arts, community and digital program series initiated in 2002 and created in response to the loss experienced by Minnesota's immigrant community following the death of Senator Paul Wellstone. The project uses the arts to explore the impact of current policies and conditions on new immigrants (defined here as having lived in the United States for 25 years or less).Intermedia Arts is a catalyst that builds understanding among people through art. CONTACT:Marlina Gonzalez, Program ManagerPhone: 612.874.2803 Email: marlina@Intermediaarts.org http://www.intermediaarts.org/ |