“The best laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men
Gang aft agley…” -Robert Burns

 

As we approach the birthday of Robert Burns, famed poet of Scotland, let us reflect on his wisdom that our best intentions are only as strong as the fates around us. The best laid schemes, so he said, but each of us are tempest tossed and might come out battered and bruised although we lay forth our most careful plans. This is nothing more than the twisting journey of life – no scourge laid down by vengeful deities, merely the unmapped road of existence.

 

Ronnie Landfield had just opened a show at the Findlay Gallery in New York City when he spoke to us. He has been represented by Findlay for the last four years. The paintings in the show were primarily new work. Although his style has evolved, Landfield has consistently approached color as a psychological language. From his early minimalist work until the present, this has been an undercurrent of all his paintings. To hear more about Landfield’s extensive career, including the story of Sam Golden, the creator of Golden acrylics, who enabled the process that Landfield uses to create his art, listen to the complete interview.

 

Amitis Motevalli spoke to us a second time – during the first conversation we discussed her work and upbringing in Iran and a number of other topics. This time around we spoke about her creative engagement as an educator, artist, resister – a self-described “thinker and learner” who takes ideas and notions and pushes them. Motevalli organizes events that hold deep meaning, writes songs that tell stories of injustice and generally celebrates those who are typically not celebrated – in particular those in the queer community – or allowed to participate in ritual. Motevalli uses the joy of those who participate in her events as a form of resistance. To hear more from this fascinating creator, including why she was bleeding during her ritual event, listen to the complete interview.