8/2/2002
Generosity Projects
CCAC, San Francisco
Strategies for Exchange in Contemporary Art. A series of interconnecting events and discussions that explore the correlation between generosity and the making of art. The symposium accompanies the launch of an eclectic assortment of artists’ projects, each rooted in the concept of generosity. These projects will take place in various locations around San Francisco.
Strategies for Exchange in Contemporary Art"
Artists’ Project Series (February 1-12)
and Public Symposium (February 8 and
9)
"Generosity Projects: Strategies for
Exchange in Contemporary Art" features a series of interconnecting events
and discussions that explore the correlation between generosity and the
making of art.
The cornerstone of "Generosity Projects" is a weekend
symposium taking place February 8 and 9 on the San Francisco campus of the
California College of Arts and Crafts.
The symposium accompanies the launch
of an eclectic assortment of artists’ projects, each rooted in the concept
of generosity. These projects will take place February 1-12 in various
locations around San Francisco.
Featuring keynote speaker Peter Coyote and panelists Carlos Basualdo, Mary
Jane Jacob, Ben Kinmont, Jorgen Svensson and Jeanne van Heeswijk, the
symposium will examine the unique role that generosity plays in the making
of art. According to "Generosity Projects" organizer Ted Purves, "What
unites these artists is their use of the art project, as conceived both
personally and institutionally, to perform deeds of generosity, seeking to
connect the viewer to tangible goods and services which they might enjoy
and/or benefit from. Aside from making literal the question of what benefits
art can bring to society, the projects explored by these artists also serve
to push outward the boundaries of expanded art practices and ask crucial
questions about what both art in the public interest and art in the
galleries could become."
One of the "Generosity Projects" features local textile designer Michael
Swain, who will wheel a pushcart along a heavily trafficked San Francisco
pedestrian route. Working essentially out of this pushcart, Swain will
provide free public tailoring services to tourists, students, office workers
and laborers upon request.
Another project encourages community residents to barter with Cesare
Pietroiusti, artist and founder of ORESTE, an international artists’
collective that focuses on creating democratic situations for artists’
exchange and communities. In exchange for being taught a new skill,
Pietroiusti will offer the participant a lesson from his own collection of
skills-talents such as making mayonnaise, writing the Greek alphabet or
properly flossing one’s teeth.
Temporary Services, a team of five Chicago-based artists also participating
in the projects, plans to distribute gift packets in several San Francisco
public locations. The gift packets are designed as vinyl "ravioli." Each of
the vinyl ravioli is divided into two parts: The first contains edible
sunflower seeds; the second contains a CD-ROM of stories told by David
Whitman, a resident of the streets of Chicago for over 15 years.
Participants both in the artists’ projects and the weekend symposium hope
to generate awareness of and discussion about this new direction in
art-generosity as a medium.
Established in 1998, the CCAC Wattis Institute serves as a forum for the
presentation and discussion of leading-edge local, national and
international contemporary culture. Through exhibitions, the Capp Street
Project residency program, lectures, symposia, performances and publications
in the fields of art, architecture and design, the Institute fosters
interaction among the students and faculty of CCAC; art, architecture and
design professionals; and the general public.
Significant general support for the CCAC Wattis Institute for Contemporary
Arts has been provided by Phyllis C. Wattis and by Judith P. and William R.
Timken. Additional general support provided by Grants for the Arts/San
Francisco Hotel Tax Fund and the California Arts Council-a state agency.
CALENDAR
February 8 and 9
"Generosity Projects: Strategies for Exchange in Contemporary Art"
Artists’ project series and public symposium
Friday, February 8, 7:30 pm: Keynote address by Peter Coyote
Timken Lecture Hall, CCAC, 1111 Eighth Street, San Francisco
Saturday, February 9, 11 am-6 pm: Symposium featuring Carlos Basualdo, Mary
Jane Jacob, Ben Kinmont, Jorgen Svensson and Jeanne van Heeswijk
Timken Lecture Hall, CCAC, 1111 Eighth Street, San Francisco
Increasingly over the last ten years, artists have explored the idea of
generosity as a medium. Their projects have included the creation of free
commuter bus lines; cooking food in a gallery and serving it to visitors;
designing and planting community gardens; and creating open-access,
democratic radio stations. Panelists consider crucial questions
about how contemporary art can directly connect with audiences and respond
to public interest.
February 1-12
Artists’ projects by Cesare Pietroiusti, Michael Swain and Temporary
Services
During the weeks before and after the "Generosity Projects: Strategies for
Exchange in Contemporary Art" public symposium at CCAC’s San Francisco
campus, artists Cesare Pietroiusti, Michael Swain and Temporary Services
will undertake new generosity-based projects within the CCAC community and
beyond. Projects will include free tailoring services from San
Francisco-based textile designer Michael Swain; a practical-skills exchange
with Cesare Pietroiusti; and distribution of snacks and CD-ROMs from artist
group Temporary Services.
CCAC San Francisco campus
1111 Eighth Street, San Francisco, CA 94107-2247
Phone: 415.703.9500