“The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that stands in the way. Some see nature all ridicule and deformity… and some scarce see nature at all. But to the eyes of the man of imagination, nature is imagination itself.”

-William Blake

 

Humanity marches ever forward, paving over the ways of the past, forgetting the teachings of those whose lives were connected to and depended on the land. Our cities teem with more and more people – by one estimate, an additional one million people will pour into cities every five or six days from now until 2100. Our close quarters mean many things – a constant demand for industry to feed, house, clothe and provide all the necessities – and luxuries – these millions need. But as our species blooms to bursting, we smother nature, the ultimate provider, snipping back her tendrils in favor of high rises and parking lots.

Rafael Perez Evans spoke with us in October from Cordova, Spain. He was there involved in a research residency as well as preparing for a gallery exhibit. The theme of his work is “touching earth” and Evans uses his process to help him ease anxieties about the conditions of southern Spain and southern Europe. His work explores the darker side of modernity, those left behind while the world progresses forward. Agriculture in southern Spain is a focus. Evans is the first of his family to “escape” the agricultural profession – a cousin who also escaped still has a small plot of land whereon he installed surveillance cameras to catch thieves who stole his produce. To hear how this is reflected in his work, and more from Rafael Perez Evans, listen to the complete interview.

Ichiro Irie is a busy working artist and curator. For the last few years, he has worked on his own works – ink drawings of junk yards as well as art that incorporates all manner of found objects. Since February of 2019, Irie and a colleague have been collaboratively organizing an artist run art fair in Mexico City. The fair will recommence in February of 2020. Irie has been organizing shows for as long as he has been an artist so this naturally progressed to curation. Today this is a large part of his work. In 2001, he went to Mexico City on a Fulbright Scholarship which led to his first professional art show. To hear more from Ichiro Irie, including the details of his backyard art gallery called Jaus, listen to the complete interview.