[-empyre-] Shutting down our April discussion. Thanks to our guests and subscribers.

[Renate Ferro]

I want to thank our weekly featured guests: Joanna Raczynska, Tim Murray(US), Ana Valdes (UR), Constanza Salazar, Rachel Fein-Smolinski, Lynne Sachs (US),
Emily V Duke, Jessica Posner, and Patrick Lichty (US, UAE). 
Also thanks to our –empyre- subscribers for sharing your perspectives, memories and inspired work based on our discussion, “Between the Body, Memory, Screen and Culture--In memory of Grace Quintanilla (MX) 1968 to 2019, Barbara Hammer (US) 1939 to 2019, Carolee Schneemann (US) 1930 to 2019, and Agnes Varda (FR) 1928 to 2019.

It is the generosity and openness of all of these women’s art that has inspired me and my own work.  Most particularly, dear Grace Quantinilla whose early CD ROM, Vice Versa, inspired my early work in new media.  The CD ROM created in the platform Director, was designed like a memory book.  Based on two vaudeville performers that were her also relatives, the design was a composite of photographs, images, and narratives that revealed her family’s history.  The layered compositing and slow reveal reflected the transparencies and opacities of remembering and forgetting.  Grace was a giving and gentle person who always shared her work as curator and ambassador of Mexican culture and art.  She will be missed. 

Best to all of you.  Renate

Renate Ferro