Sunday, August 14, 2011

A "Midissage in the Mini Fridge" for Edward Lane McCartney's and Cat Coombes' "CRAFTISM: Preserving the Future of Art"

There will be a midissage in the Mini Fridge from 1-5pm this Saturday, August 20 for Edward Lane McCartney's and Cat Coombes' "Craftism: Preserving the Future of Art." Both artists will be present, Cat will be performing a recitation of the Craftism manifesto and brooches will be given away.

This event is taking place at The Kenmore, within the first floor studio of Emily Sloan at Box 13 ArtSpace, 6700 Harrisburg Blvd., Houst...on, TX 77011.

The exhibition will remain on view, Saturdays from 1-5pm through September 10, 2011.



More about the exhibition:
Houston-based artists Edward Lane McCartney and Cat Coombes have inaugurated a new art movement at The Kenmore, located in Box13 ArtSpace, with Craftism: Preserving the Future of Art. The organization of the Craftism movement, unveiling of McCartney’s shrine to art, and presentation of the collaborative’s manifesto will occurred at the opening reception on August 6, 2011 from 7:00pm to 9:30p.m. It remains on view Saturdays from 1-5pm through September 10, 2011.

The exhibition mixes jewelry, installation, and performance in a context that demands audience participation. The physical aspect of the exhibition centers around the transformation of The Kenmore, a mini-Fridge curated by Emily Sloan, into a Plexiglas and gold-leaf, post-modern-gothic shrine to Craftism, holding a single, sanctified jewelry object, by Edward Lane McCartney. During the reception, Cat Coombes presented Craftism’s manifesto to begin the consolidation of the movement. As relics of the performance, the manifesto has been been left on display, and viewers may wear jewelry objects bearing excerpts from the manifesto out into the world.

The artistic goal of the collaboration between jeweler and metal artist Edward Lane McCartney and conceptual artist and art historian Cat Coombes is to seek out a new relationship between “art” and “craft,” in search of an art that features “depth and humanity” as core values. The statement they make may provoke frustration, anger, or relief: “All art is craft. All so-called ‘art’ that is not craft is art criticism, industry, or empty posturing.”

THE KENMORE
Not just another white cube, The Kenmore is a small, cold exhibition object measuring approximately 36" x 24"x 24". The Kenmore's mission is to keep ideas fresh through the opportunity of a unique exhibition context and the experience of collaboration. This project sprung from Aisen Caro Chacin's N Gallery, was initiated by Emily Sloan and is "run" (refrigerator humor) under her development and guidance. By its nature, The Kenmore remains a work in progress.

BOX13 ARTSPACE
BOX 13 ArtSpace is an artist run nonprofit innovative environment for the creation and advancement of experimental contemporary art in Houston. BOX 13 artists create this environment through the offering of affordable workspaces for emerging and established artists, dedicating five interior spaces to the exhibition of artistic explorations, a window gallery for installations and an outdoor courtyard space. BOX 13 promotes dialogue among artists and the art community on current trends affecting the arts.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Reception: Saturday, August 6, 7pm to 9:30pm
Midissage: Saturday, August 20, 1pm to 5pm
Open Saturdays from 1-5pm or by appointment

CONTACT
Emily Sloan
The Kenmore
c/o Box 13 ArtSpace
6700 Harrisburg Blvd.
Houston, TX 77011
thekenmore@gmail.com
713-582-1198

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