[-empyre-] changing seasons

[Renate Ferro]

Dear Rachel, 
What a lovely post you made on Friday and yes so reminiscent of the early days of the media landscape in upstate central New York State.  I recall many artists who grew up so to say within the environment of not only media but also new music in Buffalo, Rochester, Ithaca and beyond.  And I agree Barbara’s performance/lecture at the Whitney is a gem for all of us.  Thanks for sharing this link about the New House awards for those with disabilities.  
https://www.wnewhouseawards.com/Pages/Awards.html

It is interesting that Hammer gave us a license to openly talk about aging, sickness and working as an artist.  Certainly, Cindy Sherman and Marina Abramovic have referenced aging in their work lately, but Barbara Hammer takes the issue straight on in a powerful and empowering way.  The state of aging becomes more than a surface but a way to live.  Grace Quintanilla was a very young woman diagnosed with a terminal illness who lived only two months or so after her diagnosis.  Barbara lived with her diagnosis for a good many years so had time to work it through (if anyone does) in a way that was integrated into her life and work.  I mentioned Beatrice da Costa (as did Patrick Lichty) whose research also encompassed end of life issues as she lived through her illness.  

Perhaps Barbara is right.  The art world but I would add the larger world around us shun these issues preferring more packaged palatable content. 

But today many of us are celebrating spring, Easter, Passover and more.  So to all of you—enjoy those around you and breath in the air of this changing time of weather.  (For some on the other side you are entering fall—Melinda Rackam and Tarsh Bates I am thinking of you.) 

Best, Renate
_____________________________


Renate Ferro
Visiting Associate Professor
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Department of Art
Tjaden Hall 306
rferro at cornell.edu