“How Far From Home Are We?” Photos and update!

There is something magical about having a vision of something for a long time and then coaxing and birthing this vision into reality. This is how I felt with the recent collaborative exhibition, “How Far From Home Are We?” that has been/will be installed for the month of April at the Harwood Arts Center in Albuquerque. The process of bringing this show into the world was more magical because it was all done with my project collaborators Anna and Becky in the UK. The show took shape over the course of months through flurries of emails, reports and reponses. And then I manifested our vision at the Harwood with the indispensable help of my husband Chris and my friend Aimee Deans.

It all started over two years ago when I applied to have a show of “How Far From Home Are We?” at the Harwood Art Center in 2009. At the time, Chris and I were still in New Zealand and the dates for the show seemed far off. And they got moved from that fall to the next fall and then to the Spring of 2011. So this show was a long time coming and it is wonderful to see the vision and the many experiences of the journey that the show comes from in a new form at the Harwood Art Center in Albuquerque!

Peruse images of the show and opening here.

Listen an excerpt or the entire Radio Journey here! (It was broadcast on Sound Art Radio in the UK and on KRZA radio Alamos-Taos during the exhibition.)

Check out images of my “Sounds Surround Workshop” here.

Read about the exhibition in the Taos News here.

The project website is howfarfromhomearewe.com We’d love to have your feedback on the show!!

How Far From Home Are We? – Opens April 1st

“How Far From Home Are We?”
An illustrated Radio Journey
by Anna Keleher, Claire Coté and Rebecca Beinart

Opening Reception April 1, 6 – 8pm

Exhibition installed April 1 – 29, 2011
Harwood Art Center, 1114 7^th St. NW, Albuquerque, NM
Gallery Hours: Mon – Fri, 10 AM to 4 PM, and Fri Apr. 15^th 6-8 PM

Making its debut in the United States, this exhibition is the collaborative outcome of a voyage in a small van from Totnes England to Helsinki Finland via the Baltic States and back through Scandinavia, across 16 borders, over 5,700 kilometers and all in seventeen days. On-site recordings and creative reflection are woven together to provide illuminating glimpses of a journey by land and sea. Collaborative pen and ink drawings created over bumpy roads and by the light of headlamps offer illustrated glimpses. Whittled tally-sticks provide a sculptural “account” of the expedition. Come and experience this intimate multi-sensory journey and join the collaboration through listening, smelling and drawing!

Dates pending for broadcasts of this radio journey on Sound Art Radio 102.5 fm, Totnes, England and KRZA Radio 88.7 fm , Alamosa CO. / Taos, NM. Check our website below of updates and live streaming opportunities!

Sounds clips, drawings and more info at: howfarfromhomearewe.com

‘Sounds Surround’ Sound Journeys Workshop

Harwood Art Center, 1114 7th St. NW, Albuquerque, NM
Saturday, April 2, 10 am – 12 noon

Workshop Facilitator – Claire Coté
Workshop is $15 – Preregistration Requested
Morning tea and scones provided

The sounds surrounding us are an often neglected, but very important part of our perceptual experience of places and the world in general. This workshop provides guidance on deepening our listening in each place and how to bring soundscape awareness and sound journeys into our work. The workshop will include brief introductions to sound, listening and sound art as well as providing participants with experience-based listening exercises in and out of doors, to open our ears and minds to the sounds surrounding us.

“Sounds Surround” is open to all, but is especially geared towards artists, teachers, park rangers and interpretation specialists.

To register for the workshop please contact Claire Coté at 575-586-2362 or by email at email@clairecote.com.

‘Sounds Surround’ is presented in connection with “How Far From Home Are We?” an illustrated radio journey and a multi-sensory installation at the Harwood Center for the Arts. More information online at: howfarfromhomearewe.com

Mail Art Call “My everyday object”

one of the postcard contributions

This is an interesting exhibition opportunity, in which I plan to participate. I invite you to join me!

The deadline is coming up fast  – March 31, 2011!

Name: Polifemo Fotografia
E-mail address: polifemo.news@gmail.com
Homepage URL: http://www.polifemo.org/

The Exhibition will take place  in Milan, on the occasion of Salone Internazionale del Mobile from April 12, 2011
through April 17, 2011.

Mail Art Call “My everyday object” –  one object, one postcard
Dead Line: 31st of March 2011
No returns, No participation fee, No selection, No jury, Free Technique
Postcard size only (A6 / 10,5 x 15 cm / 4.25″ x 6″)
All works must be sent by snail mail

Each participant can send one or more postcards for each object chosen:
one object, one postcard
Dead Line: 31st of March 2011
Documentation online at polifemo.org
(please include your email address for 
notification of documentation)

Send to:
Polifemo
La Fabbrica del Vapore
Via Procaccini 4
20154 Milano
Italia

Exhibition: from April 12, 2011 through April 17, 2011 at Polifemo,
La Fabbrica del Vapore, Milan, Italy

La Fabbrica del Vapore, a center especially devoted to the youth’s cultural
productionand belonging to the Milan City Council, is house to several
associations promoting many activities aimed at young people.The 50°
Salone Internazionale del Mobile involves the city of Milan, providing
an opportunity to continue a reflection on design, on creativity and on
culture.Polifemo, a cultural association working inside La Fabbrica del
Vapore, wants to reflect on the usage of everyday objects by creating a
great international mail-art-exhibition held inside its space on the
occasion of the Salone Internazionale del Mobile.

Join us! Feel free to forward this Mail Art Call!

Thank you.

Join us to “Follow The Money” this Saturday!

This Saturday, I will be collaborating with a group of enthusiastic artists and activists to lend a helping hand to New Mexico Governor, Susana Martinez to assist her in following through with her campaign promise of transparency in New Mexico State Government.

Where: The Round House, New Mexico State Capitol, Santa Fe, New Mexico

When: Saturday, February 26^th 11:30 a.m.

This event is created by newly formed NACFR, The National Association for Campaign Finance Reform. NACFR is a project initiated by a group of artists, activists and concerned citizens eager to fulfil their civic duties through supporting and encouraging all Governors and members of Congress in their quest for transparency through events performances and art exhibitions. Learn more at nacfr.org.

NACFR agrees with Susana Martinez that, “Only bold change will end rampant abuse in state government,” (9/15/10 NMPolitics.net). And we know it’s hard, so we’re here to help!

‘Follow the Money’ is the first in a series of local and national events staged by NACFR to encourage and support our political representatives’ commitment to transparency.

On Saturday, Feb. 26th join NACFR’s own “Governor Susana Martinez” for a rare press conference and Follow the Money, patch by patch on her new official, state NACFR jacket, emblazoned with her sponsors, who coughed up cash for her election campaign. She will be flanked by her pit crew, TEAM Martinez, representing Oil and Gas industries, Dairy and Ranch industries, and Medical and Pharmaceutical companies, just to name a few.

“The Governor” will also applaud the US Supreme Court’s 2010 ruling, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, blocking bans on corporate political spending and reaffirming corporate personhood (Dartmouth College v. Woodward, 1819 and Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Railroad, 1886).

All of this is in the spirit of civil-minded transparency so YOU the voter can decide whose interests are being represented in the Round House.

Hope to see you on Saturday at the Round House in Santa Fe!

18 Days Opening – wow!

The 18 Days opening was absolutely packed with art enthusiasts, both exhibitors and the general public. As we drove up to the CCA, I found myself wondering if there was a big event happening at the nearby church or the Children’s museum (there were cars overflowing out of the parking lots onto the shoulders of Old Pecos Trail). All too soon, as we tried to find a parking place at the CCA, we discovered it was all for the 18 Days opening reception.

The work was varied and interesting with a wide variety of subject matter encompassed mostly by painting, prints, and drawing but also by photography, fiber, video, installation, welding, and “upcycled” fashion. All work was mounted on the wall, except for a select 3-4 piece,s which were suspended from the high ceiling.

My piece is tucked on the west end of a free-standing wall near the back of the gallery.

My favorite aspect of the opening (besides getting to talk with lovely people of course!) was having the opportunity to observe people to peering at my piece, leaning in close to examine its many small squares stitched together.

If you’re in the Santa Fe area before March 20th, I recommend a visit. It is a show worth seeing and not just because my piece made the cut!

Click here for a little promo article from the Santa Fe Reporter.

18 Days

I am happy to announce that my piece, “63 Daily Nested Thoughts”, pictured above, has been chosen to be included in “18 Days” Fine Arts Exhibition and Performing Arts Event at the CCA in Santa Fe. Visit my portfolio to learn more about my “Daily Nested Thoughts” series.

Please join me and other selected New Mexico women artists for the opening of “18 Days” this coming Friday, (tomorrow) February 11th, 5:30 – 8:00 pm at the Munos Waxman Gallery at the Center for Contemporary Arts, 1050 Old Pecos Trail in Santa Fe. More information can be found at ccasantafe.org.

The Exhibition runs February 11th through March 20th at the  The Munos Maxman Gallery. The Gallery will be open Fridays and Saturdays 12-5 and Sundays 12-4 during that time. If you can’t make the opening, hope that you can stop by the exhibition in the next six weeks.