“The right ending is an open door you can’t see too far out of. It can mean exactly the opposite of what you are thinking.” -Michael Ondaatje, Coming Through Slaughter
In Coming Through Slaughter, Michael Ondaatje attempts to fill in unknown details about the life of jazz pioneer Buddy Bolden, who, for reasons that are to this
day debated, was admitted to an asylum at age 30, where he spent the rest of his life. Ondaatje speaks to our inability to know what life will deliver next – the simple, perhaps stark truth that uncertainty is the only thing we can count on. What may begin as a celebrated path holds no obligation to remain so. Although we may control some small details about our lives, ultimately, we must learn to accept that things happen the way they happen. The vast majority of life lies outside our
grip.
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William Pope.L joined me for a truly unique conversation almost exactly a decade ago. Pope.L, who died on December 23, just last week, was best known for his work in performance art and interventionist public art. He also produced art in painting, photography and theater. He was included in the 2002 Whitney Biennial and is a Guggenheim Fellow. What’s more, he was an educator, working as a professor at both Bates College in Lewiston, Maine and the University of
Chicago. Pope.L leaves an indelible mark on the art world and on a generation of students whose lives were changed by their time with him. When I interviewed him he asked me if he could speak in his own invented language and I agreed – I encourage you to listen to
the complete interview.
“From him, I learned that it’s difficult, but not impossible, to prime a wall once it’s been painted with peanut butter. That linoleum is a challenging material to drape, especially when covered with chewing gum. And that simply being present and open to providing a forum for others self-expression is more important than any amount
of time spent in the spotlight.”
-Chris Mathien, former student and mentee of William Pope.L
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Helia Chitsazan spoke with us about her recent group exhibition, All Our
Puny Sorrows. This show featuring five emerging young artists explores the collective anxiety of a generation facing a future filled with new and ever growing uncertainties. To learn more about the exhibition and Chitsazan’s work, listen to the complete interview.
Read
the summary of this week's interviews and resources.
