September 2011

During the month of September, VALISE gallery is pleased to host the exhibition “Imagining the Future We Want” curated by Beverly Naidus. The work on display was gathered via her Facebook networks and all submissions were accepted. Participants were not required to be professional artists. 

Contributors to the exhibition were invited to create an image and/or text that would focus on a reconstructive vision of the future. The original invitation stated, “as the old system of dominant culture is collapsing, we need to be imagining the world we want to live in, and we want everyone to spend some time developing that vision.” When asked for clarification about what system is collapsing, Naidus responded:  “Neo-liberalism as a system has not worked for anyone except for those who are obscenely rich, and it is collapsing, as is the delicate balance of the ecosystems that determine the abundance or lack thereof of clean water, air and food. The systems that we have been using for education, creating energy, health care, solving conflict, offering equity, etc. are all in disrepair and need to be reshaped in profound ways if our species is going to survive and thrive (in balance with other species). Many options that have been imagined over the past century or so, need to be put back on the table, the wall and the web so that we can engage the imaginations of the public and develop more momentum.” 

In some cases, the works that have been submitted have come great distances, from as far away as Egypt, Iran, Norway, Malaysia, Toronto and New York City. Submissions have also been received from our neighbors on Vashon Island, Tacoma and Seattle. Some of the artists are internationally known, and a few are developing their creative voice for the first time with this project. Featured in this exhibition are twelve “Green Maps” that represent different international communities visions for their futures. In these times of global economic and ecological distress, we will need the imaginations of all who are willing and eager to be focused on the world we want to be living in.

Beverly Naidus is an internationally recognized artist whose work has been socially engaged for over 30 years. Interdisciplinary to her core, she works in many mediums, allowing the content to determine the form. Her subject matter includes transforming nuclear nightmares and the ecological crisis, healing body hate and fear of difference, finding meaningful work and developing her dreams for a reconstructed world. Her work has been written about extensively in contemporary journals and books. Since 2003 she has been co-creating a unique curriculum in art for social change and healing at UW Tacoma. Naidus is the author of several books and essays, including the recent Arts for Change: Teaching Outside the Frame (New Village Press, 2009).  She lectures frequently on her work at universities and conferences, including Bioneers in CA.  Her eco-art project, Eden Reframed, funded by UW’s Royalty Research Foundation, will open to the public at the Burton Adventure Recreation Center (BARC) on Saturday, September 3rd, 2011.  She has been a member of the VALISE collective since its inception. This is her last exhibition with the gallery.

Every Saturday of the exhibition, Beverly Naidus will do improvisational, visual and verbal work in the gallery, both responding to the theme of reconstructive visions and working through some current events that need remediation. These works will be installed in the gallery as they emerge and when space allows.

On September 17th, the artist will facilitate a discussion of the works on display at 4 pm at VALISE Gallery and fellow Vashon Islander, Margot Boyer who is a writer, teacher, beekeeper and gardener, will do a reading.

The exhibition will be open 11am to 5 pm every Saturday during the month of September 

and by appointment

. 

For an appointment or f

or more information about “Imagining the Future We Want”, please contact Beverly Naidus at bnaidus@uw.edu.