dirt palace

DIRT PALACE DECEMBER 2016 The Dirt Palace is so deeply saddened to have lost our dear friend Nick Gomez-Hall. Our hearts go out to all who lost loved ones in the Ghost Ship Oakland fire.  The fire has been weighing on us heavily as we grieve, listen, take care of each other and hope for a future for our community of artists in a time when there are so many challenges being presented to difference of all sorts.  Our focus has been on reflection, loving each other and holding our community close. At some point there will be things to say, memories to share, and struggles to discuss. But it’s not that moment for us yet. However it feels very important to us to acknowledge the losses so many people in our community and arts communities all over are feeling right now. Here’s a link to Nick’s band: Nightmom.

WHISTLE-BLOWER CLOSING EVENT AT THE DIRT PALACE this Sunday December 11th 4p - 5:30p Program 5:30p - 7p Informal Gathering In conjunction with the Glenna Van Nostrand's installation in the Dirt Palace Storefront Window Gallery, a public gathering will be held at the Dirt Palace on December 11th. The event will include information about what to do in the aftermath of situations of rape and sexual assault, reflections on misogyny and the silencing of victims, particularly in the context of calling out those in positions of power, as well as information about efforts being taken to make Providence’s social, music, art and community spaces more equip to deconstruct and dismantle rape-culture. WINDOW DECEMBER WINDOW ARTIST: GLENNA VAN NOSTRAND The Dirt Palace Storefront gallery presents a video loop installation by Glenna Van Nostrand titled Whistleblower. In the fall of 2014 Rebecca Solnit wrote in her Harper’s column Easy Chair, “Not uncommonly, when a woman says something that impugns a man, particularly a powerful one, or an institution, especially if it has to do with sex, the response will question not just the facts of her assertion but her capacity to speak and her right to do so. Generations of women have been told they are delusional, confused, manipulative, malicious, conspiratorial, congenitally dishonest, often all at once.” (Harpers, Cassandra among the Creeps October 2014) In 2016 we have witnessed the silencing, pathologizing, and dismissal of women reach new heights. Ms. Van Nostrand’s installation is a very literal reaction to workplace sexual misconduct, while simultaneously a challenge to the current political moment. The imagery of the video is as haunting as the blatant silence of the video is jarring; the singular action in the video involves an physical exertion to make noise. It is as if she is anticipating the tendency of our culture to interrogate and undermine the integrity of the voice of a woman coming forward to speak about sexual abuse, and the piece refuses to offer sound that can be inverted in this way. The testimony comes in the form of presence; the insistence on visibility. One can not not watch. The piece may first appear to be one quick endless loop. However, on closer viewing, the video is actually four short pieces that loop as a sequence. Where her eyes are directed is subtle but important. The eyes begin diverted, they squint as force is expended blowing on the whistle. There is an external cry being communicated through facial expressions, but the trauma is held in. By the last video, the eyes pierce out, demanding contact and acknowledgement between the viewer and the whistleblower. The video is uncomfortable, but it’s necessary thematically to play again and again in an endless loop. This repetition plays on the an occurrence common to victims of traumatic acts, the mind loops events and memories, becoming stuck in a unresolved cycle. Van Nostrand’s project is a public work with three inter-related public components: the video that we’ve been discussing, posters like the one below that provide definitions of terms critical to this piece (whistle-blower, rape & nonconsensual), and a public gathering that will be held at the Dirt Palace on December 11th. The event will include information about what to do in the aftermath of situations of rape and sexual assault, reflections on misogyny and the silencing of victims, particularly in the context of calling out those in positions of power, as well as information about efforts being taken to make Providence’s social, music, art and community spaces more equip to deconstruct and dismantle rape-culture. Ho Ho Ho Happy Holidays!!!! looking for that perfect gift for that special someone??? look no further than the Dirt Palace Holiday Sale! DP members past and present, as well as friends of the Palace, will be peddling their wares for you merry shoppers! We will be serving desserts and beverages to quench your thirst and hunger while you shop. Proceeds from which will go to support travel expenses for Providence community members dealing with loss in the Oakland Ghost Ship fire. Dirt Palace Library is home to an extensive collection of zines and comics, magazines and odd books, and will be open for perusal during the sale. Music, DJs, maybe even a few live renditions of holiday classics! Get in the holiday spirit while supporting local artists and enjoying the company of good friends : DIRT PALACE HOLIDAY BAZAAR Sunday December 18th 2p - 7p Drinks! Treats! Pics with "Santa"! PRINTS! BOOKS! COMICS! SHIRTS! and MORE! PARTICIPATING ARTISTS: O Horvath / Swords Inverted Alison Nitkiewicz Daniella Ben Bassat / Club Darnell Nina Ruelle Xander Marro Pippi Zornoza Glenna Van Nostrand / Aura Photography Mimi Chrzanowski / Babytown Cathy Johnson Kristina Brown Mickey Zacchilli / Price Tapes Simon Slowinski Mindy Stock / Moon by Moon Apothecary Anapurna Himal Wagnger/ Sleazy Seagull and more!!!

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