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Just wanted to give you all the scoop on the salon in New York a couple days ago. You were missed, but it went wonderfully. We enjoyed a rich day of discussion, critical feedback on work, and fellowship. Here's what happened:
As for the artists who participated, it included many Harvey Fellows, as well as a small handful of non-fellows. All very talented and inspiring artists. I have included a list of all participants for you to see below.
Two organizations hosted the event - Affirmation Arts - a gallery in New York with which I have a close relationship and where I have personally had a couple shows, and Mako Fujimura's International Arts Movement (IAM). Affirmation Arts generously offered us the use of their beautiful conference room for the day's events.
The day began with a brief tour of Affirmation Arts' current show, "Saving Grace: A Celebration of Haitian Art", which is entirely comprised of works which the gallery has salvaged from the wreckage of the recent earthquake in Haiti; the gallery worked together with the Smithsonian Institute to repair and conserve key visual artworks from Haitian culture. You can learn more about the show here:
This was followed a panel discussion, which provided for the opportunity to bring in Christian and non-Christian experts from the fields of art, philanthropy, spirituality, cultural diplomacy, academia, and community activism together for a discussion entitled, "Looking forward: Imagining a creative humanitarianism for this generation of artists", during which the panelists were invited to explore the challenges and possibilities of utilizing art to build a kinder, more compassionate culture and world. Makoto Fujimura moderated the panel discussion in his wonderfully disarming, yet incisive style. There was a brief Q&A following the discussion during which the artists in attendance were able to ask questions and share reflections. In short, the rich and inspiring discussion helped us touch on some of the main challenges associated with using art to a humanitarian end, whether relating to funding constraints and logistics, or more conceptual ideas such as the validity which society does (or does not) afford to art as an effective tool for responding to humanitarian crises. The subjects of the liminal position of the artist and the loneliness, more generally, of people working within the arts came to the fore, which led to reflections on the importance, power, and efficiency of relationships and the phenomenon of Presence.
There was also a lively discussion about the subversive economic status of both creative and relational capital and how these things may be harnessed, in tandem to make a meaningful contribution, since these things to not behave like, or even abide by the same laws of, financial capital.
Following this, we had a lovely lunch which was kindly sponsored by a personal friend from AOL and organized by the staff at IAM. After that, most of the panelists departed leaving only 2 of them to stay on with us for the remainder of the day. The two people who chose to stay, Father Paul Anel and Dr. Nancy Hightower, are also Christian believers, which made for a nice and intimate environment for discussion.
The afternoon portion (and bulk) of the day was dedicated to artists sharing recent work and work in progress and receiving critical feedback from the peers in the room. This was in short, the good stuff! Having the opportunity to witness everyone's great gifts was inspiring all round. In addition, in principle, it was good to receive the depth of feedback from a group that can grapple with the the metaphysical aspects of the work; however, since we had only one afternoon to share work, we were pressed for time, and the depth of the sharing was somewhat limited. From my perspective it felt like we were giving each other introductions to each other's work. It was a very good beginning to something that could grow.
If anything became clear to me throughout our day together, it is that we need to have these salons regularly, as these interactions are so life giving and, from the standpoint of fellowship and critical feedback, needed. I hope to continue facilitating these salons in New York (I am moving there in January)...... As to how often, I am not sure; perhaps quarterly? And the folks at IAM have expressed interest in hosting these the future. It would be really great to brainstorm with you guys on gatherings in the future!
Would love to hear your feedback on this event!! And also whatever ideas you may have for salons in the future. This is a very experimental thing and it would be great to treat the format as such! I also am pasting in the schedule for the day and the flyer so you can see how it was organized.
Warm wishes for holidays and hugs,
Lia
