Vol. 3, Issue 2
A publication of the Old furnace artist residency
Featured Artists Irena Azovsky parallelattractions.com peter christenson psychologartist.com Florine demosthene florinedemosthene.com Matt gualco matthewgualco.com Alexander Martin alexanderandrewmartin.com Mary M. Mazziotti mazziottiart.com Magalli Salazar magallisalazar.wixsite.com/portafolio
SLAG MAG, Vol. 3, Issue 2 Š 2017 Published by Jon Henry Guest Curator Catron BookeR — freeandfunky.tumblr.com Edited and designed by Elizabeth Ygartua A production of the Old Furnace Artist Residency The Old Furnace Artist Residency is an ongoing artist project curated by Jon Henry. The residency is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia. It is open to all forms of artistry: sculpture, painting, video, sound, conceptual, poetry, fiction writers, critical theorists etc. Special attention is given to practices which are focused on social justice and being socially engaged. Emerging artists are especially encouraged to apply. O.F.A.R. is accepting residents through 2017. Visit oldfurnace.tumblr.com for more information and to apply.
INTRODUCTION Who are we in this ever evolving landscape of crisis? How might various states of failure open up radiant possibilities for revolution? Will winter cease to exist? Will it be a continuous heat wave? Will the frog jump out of the boiling water? Is this what the onset of an apocalypse looks like? When will 45 be impeached? It is as we grapple with the growing destruction of societies and ecosystems, and are learning to live in a world with normalized state-sanctioned violence, that we present the FUTURE STATES issue of SLAG. Here we introduce an internationally vibrant light of rage — alongside radical and inventive acts of resistance — as an alternative vision of the new “normal.” Yet despite our newly aggressive outlook, we remain ever more mindfully inspired by the possibilities of life (both earthly and beyond) with each nanosecond that blooms before us. — CATRON BOOKER, guest curator As we move into an evermore confusing and dangerous time, I especially value having an accomplice for exploring the unknown. I reached out to Catron Booker to collaborate on an exploration of our futures. Catron is a former resident of the Old Furnace Artist Residency (O.F.A.R). During her stay we ruminated on many of the issues that the recent U.S. election brought to light: the persistence of racism, the dumbing down of folks by the Mass Media, humanity’s future on a dead planet, etc. In this edition of SLAG Mag we look towards the future, but can’t help glancing backwards from where we came. How might one election in the U.S. echo around the world? What modes of resistance are needed? What do our elders’ spirits think of humanity’s current trajectory? Do folks still dream of Utopia or just surviving another day? It’s a pleasure to see the rise of intersectional analysis applied to visions of liberation: it isn’t for some but for all. For this edition, we present a series of orbital points in our ongoing dreams of liberation. — JON HENRY, artist and creator of SLAG & O.F.A.R.
Alexander Martin Oh, Are you The Weekend? 2016 Faux hair, acrylic, glitter, spray paint, and cardboard 2.5 x 2 feet (Dimensions Vary) The Sweet Spot 2016 Poster paint, glitter, cardboard, bubblewrap, and felt on canvas 18 x 24 inches Masculinity 2016 Cardboard, foam, acrylic, nails, and glitter 3 x 2.5 feet
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Matt Gualco Three-ji 2015 Screenprint on paper 11 x 17 inches
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peter christenson Alt-Reality, 2016, Digital collage
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Irena Azovsky Untitled 2012 Collage 9 x 9 inches
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Magalli Salazar Contra la violencia machista, auto defensa feminista #24A y #25N!* 2016 Photography 10 x 14 inch prints “Women from all over Latin America were asked to march against the ‘Las Violencias Machistas,’ (‘Violencias’ in Spanish refers to many types of violence). The movement was called: La Primavera Rosa (Pink Spring). A massive march took place in opposition to gender violence, violent crimes against women, girls and youth, and the prevalence of femicide. The first march was on April 24, 2016 (#24A), from Ecatepec de Morelos, in the state of Mexico, to the monument ‘La Victoria Alada,’ in the heart of Mexico City. I marched as part of the group ‘Contingenta Machete,’ one of several groups involved. (‘Contingenta’ is a Spanish neologism, a feminine form of the noun contingente, meaning contingent.) The second march was on Nov. 25, 2016, (#25N) from ‘La Victoria Alada’ to the Hemiciclo a Juarez (Juarez´s Hemicycle), in Mexico City. I walked beside a transgender group against transfemicides, ‘Colectiva de mujeres trans contra los feminicidios.’ (Colectiva is another Spanish neologism, a feminine noun form of the original colectivo.) Note: Ecatepec is well-known for being one of the most violent places in Mexico, with high rates of femicide and unresolved violent crimes. ‘La Victoria Alada’, aka ‘El Ángel de la Independencia’ (the angel of independence), is an iconic monument where massive groups often celebrate their victories. In Mexican society, especially to feminist women, the choice to call it La Victoria, a feminine noun, reflects the spirit of female empowerment.” *Against the Macho violence, feminist self defense
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Mary M. Mazziotti Screwed - Mt. Rushmore Screwed Series 2017 Applique & hand-embroidery on vintage textile 53 x 51 inches
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Florine demosthene Be Still and Know The Burst Series 2016 Ink, charcoal, metal leaf and oil stick on canvas 30 x 42 inches 2016 Consumed The Burst Series 2016 Ink, charcoal, and oil stick on canvas 30 x 42 inches
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