LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

GRAPHITE XIII is an omen.

Or is the thirteen just a coincidence?

How we perceive omens, whether we want to view them as predictions or coincidences, is our choice. How we interpret these signs—whether they are transmissions from the divine, natural phenomena, or the spirit world—is variable and specific. But no matter the source, the truth of the omen remains. Whether auspice or forewarning, omens must be untangled and translated.

Reading omens can be difficult, but mystery is welcome. Do the crows spell luck for love or augur misery? What is to be made of the subconscious tendency to decipher nature as the world’s indications of what is to come? Omens exist outside of the binary of good and evil; they are moments of sibylline reflection.

The artists of GRAPHITE XIII explore omens of the world as signs, indications, or nothing at all. It is the coexistence of fears, intentions, and hopes embedded within an omen that makes them so alluring. GRAPHITE XIII is an investigation of omens on a semiotic/symbolic level and as a personal, intimate belief system.

The theme of omen called to us as co-editors, in the way omens are supposed to – subtly, but with the pull of a rip tide. Our desire to compile this book of omens was strong. We felt the need to reveal the ways artists decode and characterize the signs and symbols of premonition. To uncover an auspice is no easy trick, it takes acute observation and hard belief. The oft-banality of omens, leaves them frequently unread by unfamiliar observers, but they appear for the right eyes (and ears?).

The thirteenth issue of GRAPHITE is brought to you by us and a team of many dedicated GRAPHITE members at UCLA with support from Hammer Museum’s Academic Programs staff. Thank you to Hallie Scott and alea adigweme for your invaluable guidance and trust in producing this journal - we are so grateful for you.

Louise Buckley, Talia Markowitz, and Shari Wei

LEO HORTON

ESTEBAN A. GONZALEZ

TOMMY SVENINGSSON KREK

KYLIE MANNING

ADALI SCHELL

TOMMY SVENINGSSON KREK

F. GARCIA RODRIGUEZ

RACHEL BOS

MAX CAPUS

HENRY CHAPMAN

ISABELLA ROSE

BOB VIERA

CLAIRE DOWNES WHITEHURST

STEPHANIE MEI HUANG

SHANI STRAND

IZZY DENT

GIANCARLOS CAMPOS

MARY HERBERT

CJ