The last Art Party happened at TBA, all photos are by Wayne Bund, I believe.I want to thank Jenny, Raijah, Tuesday, Kjerstin, Bronze, Mike, Seth, Katharine, Kirstan, Light Asylum, Kaitlin, Dexter, Timmy, Hannah, Oliver, Jess, Derek, Alaistar, and everyone who came. I DON'T want to thank the horrible sound guy. Seriously, I can't believe that PICA, who is comprised of amazing human beings and volunteers, and who is one the my FAVORITE arts organizations on the planet, could rehire some guy who doesn't know how to EQ. This was seriously one of the worst performances I have given in my life, and it was because I simply could not hear on stage, something that almost anyone could have solved. The same shit happened last year when Seth and I DJ'ed Gang Gang Dance. Down with bad sound and badder sound guy attitudes/subtle misogyny/homo-phobia. But, all said, it was nice to go out with friends all around, and it reminded me of why Jenny and I did Art Party, and how everyone, everytime, totally brought it, whether through performance, art, music, fashion, installation, etc. Portland artists, you are incredible. Jenny Hoyston, you are a genius and I am happy to know you are in the world. Let's figure out a way to get some money up in this piece, though, FA REAL.
So now I'm in
graphic design grad school in California, so my postings will probably be less frequent, who knows. Happy times all around, I'm so blessed and lucky and inspired.
Specifically, the concerns when I was a youth. I am now 30. the point is, i find myself revisiting thoughts and looking at images and listening to music i was obsessed with from that time. sonic youth, the minutemen, crass, bad brains, babes in toyland, the haggard, rita ackermann, bikini kill, james baldwin, judith butler, lacan, fanon, kiki smith, patti smith, the list could go on for pages. A lot of these bands were punk. They analyzed class and gender and colonialism in a way that made sense, they expressed howls of vivid discontent, or at the very least, illustrated the social narratives that were going on around them... What I am trying to say is, I am still punk, but I think somewhere along the way, I forgot. Got too concerned with, like, supporting myself after college and paying off my student loans.
It is really strange that it is grad school to bring this all back up in me. However, it makes sense, as I am, for the first time, not 100% worried about money (living off student loans, not very poshly but its quite a wonderful and privileged life to not have to work at the moment. I mean, I want to start to play the guitar again, so I can start a punk band, and I haven't touched a guitar in maybe 2 or more years! There's more, this isn't so coherent at the moment.....stay tuned. Here is an amazing cover by the amazing band I am excited about, Anika.
