Rhizomatic Arts spotlights artists who push us to think differently about how artists live and work. MARCUS CECILIO KUILAND-NAZARIO describes himself as “a Cultural Mercenary” and an “Art Doula.” He says: “I am less interested in ‘the field’ and more and more interested in ‘the field workers’. How can I help my fellow artists? How can I become a better artist?”
"Artist > Activist > Leader": an interview with Allison Wyper
The Center for Cultural Innovation recently published an interview where I talk about my work as part of the Creative Industries Incentive Network (CIIN). I talk about my perspective as an artist coming to Los Angeles from San Francisco, and how the community-centered energy I found here in the experimental performance scene led me to build a career around exchange and collaboration.
Artist Spotlight #16: KATELYN DORROH
Rhizomatic Arts spotlights artists whose creative practices push us to think differently about how we live and work. KATELYN DORROH self-describes as "a collective making art in Los Angeles. Their practice at this time consists of exercising accountability for the privilege they have, the resources they have access to, and to act expansively to the structures of power in which they exist. Dorroh has worked as a preparator, studio assistant, fabricator, line producer, and custom framer.”
Project spotlight: Karina Vahitova + Void Academy
This month I'm spotlighting another "sister-project," by which I mean, a creative, artist-centered, share-based entrepreneurial project by an artist who seems to see the world much like I do! KARINA VAHITOVA is a poet, movement artist, and co-founder of VOID ACADEMY. She says, "Artists cannot depend on institutions and so we are helping them to find ways to have thriving careers outside, or at the very least alongside, the kinds of support institutions can sometimes provide to them."
Artist Spotlight #15: TOBAN NICHOLS
We're spotlighting artists in our Sustainability Network whose creative practices push us to think differently about how we live and work. For TOBAN NICHOLS, a sustainable career as an independent artist means "relishing the work I do, not hating it, or myself. Not feeling limited by someone, or some company."
Artist Spotlight #14: KYM PRIESS
Looking into the near future, performance artist / musician / singer-writer / web series host / actor / comedian / acting coach / aspiring stuntwoman KYM PRIESS wants to see "art in general becoming more interactive and blurring the lines between forms [...] without losing respect for the individual mediums."
We're one of "Five L.A. Arts Orgs You Should Know"!
Artist Spotlight #13: KARINE FLEURIMA
For "Avant-Electro-Soul-Singer-Performance Artist" KARINE FLEURIMA, "silence is just as important as good music. Art is a form of meditation and meditation is an act of resistance."
Artist Spotlight #12: DEF.SOUND
DEF.SOUND is a Hip Hop musician and producer who wisely declares: "Sustainability doesn't mean there isn't a struggle involved in the creation of something, it means longevity and the ability to continue at an honest frequency. It means I don't have to question how I put out my music once it's made. It's infrastructure that allows me to be of service for as long as I choose to create."
Project Spotlight: MOLLY SCHULMAN + MAIDEN LA
MOLLY SCHULMAN is an artist, a new mom, and co-founder of Maiden LA, a DIY take on an art festival or biennial. As Molly puts it: "It can be intimidating and bewildering to navigate the art world and Maiden LA provides a rare forum where an unrepresented artist working out of their garage is on the same plane as an institution like the Getty."
Artist Spotlight #11: NICOLE RADEMACHER
NICOLE RADEMACHER (nicolerademacher.com) makes a living as an artist and digital communications professional. She currently serves as Digital Communications Manager for the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA). Before working for the City she was Director of Communications & Outreach at 18th Street Arts Center in Santa Monica.
Artist Spotlight #10: NEHARA KALEV
NEHARA KALEV is a choreographer and performer, and the owner of the glowbox, a movement and aerial arts studio and event space in downtown Santa Monica.
Artist Spotlight #9: PHILLIP T. NAILS
Artist Spotlight #8: JODY ZELLEN
JODY ZELLEN is an artist, designer, writer, educator, and co-creator of What's on Los Angeles, a comprehensive weekly online listing of local arts exhibitions, openings, and closings in L.A.