Books & Bottles 10th anniversary edition was a success

Since 2011, I have held a mid-winter event titled Books & Bottles, the casual evening filled with good friends, silly prizes, tasty food and plenty of drink features a main-event activity each year, the exchanging of an admired book. It has become a much loved party and a great time to gather with folks in person in the middle of a long, cold season of low temps to catch up have some laughs and share books we love with each other. The past two years, due to Covid, the event occurred virtually. This year we were happy to gather together again, live and in person.

However, we’d always imagined the event to be a little extra special when we reached its 10th year. So instead we called the actual 10th year Number 9.5. For the actual 11th year we titled it Number 9.6. Which meant for this most recent gathering we titled it the 10TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION (it only took us 12 years to get here)!

For those who were there and those who were not, here is a list of the books which were offered featuring a live link to Goodreads.

Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card

American Gods - Neil Gaiman

Life is so Good - George Dawson, Richard Glaubman

The Seed Keeper - Diane Wilson

Whole - T. Colin Campbel

Hero of the Empire - Candice Millard

Vacationland - Sarah Stonich

The Phantom God - John C. Wathey

She Said - Jodi Kantor, Megan Twohey

Artisan Sourdough Made Simple - Emilie Raffa

Braiding Sweetgrass - Robin Wall Kimmerer

The Art of Racing in the Rain - Garth Stein

The Sentence - Louise Erdich

Still Life - Louise Penny

Rural Studio at Twenty - Andrew Freear

Murder on the Red River - Marcie R. Rendon

On Bullshit - Harry G. Frankfurt

On Truth - Harry G. Frankfurt

We still remain hopeful...and cautious too

Due to continued concern and the shared-space nature of the MakeRoom artist residency, the program continues to be in pause-mode. We are still committed and hopeful that one day the program will return in full force and offer opportunities for creatives, makers and artists.

Until then we wish you all the best in your creative pursuits and appreciate your understanding.

NEVER did I ever.

We have all felt the challenge, heartache and weight of this year. Covid-19, a global pandemic and a nation divided has effected every corner of this country and the globe.

We have learned to stay at home, work from home and do the best we can. We have found ways to make do, to buy in bulk, to wash our hands and wear our masks. Here at MakeRoom our masks hang on-the-ready by our back door.

We have learned how to socially distance, how to help our neighbors, how to tighten our belts and even how to bake bread. We’ve seen racial injustice on our screens, in our news feeds and on the our streets of our communities.

Here in Minneapolis the murder of George Floyd has shaken us to our very core and forced us to reexamine our beliefs, biases and positions. We have read and listened and we have muted ourselves. We have learned, as we always knew, that Black Lives Matter. We have watched as centuries of justifiable rage erupted. We have seen buildings, businesses and city blocks burned down. We have watched as the very democracy of America is tested and disobeyed. We have all felt the challenge, some much more than others. To say 2020 has been tough might be the understatement of the year.

In fact, the concern for Covid-19 and the uncertainty surrounding its spread lead us to make the difficult decision to postpone the artists residency of Lindsey Claire Newman. She was originally accepted into the MakeRoom artist’s residency for March and would have stayed with us for 10-days. However, we agreed at at that time to press the pause button and host Lindsey in early 2021 instead. But here we are, near the end of the year, with 2021 on the horizon and the pandemic doesn’t show any signs of slowing. NEVER, did I ever imagine we would be facing the same tough decision … again. But here we are.

Despite the challenge, the pandemic and the uncertainty of it all we remain hopeful. We are still, very committed to hosting Lindsey. Still committed to providing a time and space for creatives, makers and artists. We are committed to raising up Black voices, to providing an opportunity to those who apply, to those who create, to those who struggle and to those who hope.

We are still in this together.

Hope, Commitment, Focus and Art, oh boy … During A Pandemic

Despite today’s shining sun, the mellow music playing in the background, a yard full of dark, rich plant-ready soil and the overall bucolic appearance of this being normal, today is not normal. Today is a day like many others recently which are filled with the concern of a global pandemic.

As I sit here typing today feels normal, peaceful and full of lovely moments. In fact, it is all those things and it is filled with challenges, uncertainty and so many plans which had to be paused, changed or cancelled altogether. One of the plans we created but had to be alter was the arrival of Lindsey ____ for the MakeRoom artist residency.

Now in its third year, the MakeRoom artist residency offers a free, 10-day stay to an artist or a pair of collaborating artists in the month of February and again in March. Lindsey was slated to be our February artist. After many situations and life events occurred her arrival date was finally decided on and then low and behold a new situation appeared. Covid-19 was reported and all stays, residencies, gatherings and receptions were quickly cancelled as we sheltered in place and braced for the challenge ahead.

Writing this now, we have been facing that challenge for a couple of months already. When it will pass is anybody’s guess.  We could be on the outside edge of this pandemic or perhaps, we’re not yet the center of this era. Only time will tell. With any luck our perseverance and patience will get us through this. For now, we wait and take comfort where we can – in the warming soil of the earth and the creative urges of artists, creatives and makers who are continuing to produce during these times.

One of the artists who is still producing work is Lindsey. After it was decided her residency was unfortunately canceled, she made a 10-day commitment to herself and decided to focus on work she had intended to bring to MakeRoom. Lucky for us she has been sharing some of the fruits of her labor.

It is with great pleasure that we share that work here. May it be a symbol of hope, commitment and focus during these challenging times.

I asked Lindsey to share some thoughts on these images and here is what she said:

“These three are in-process and are collage, a medium I worked primarily in all throughout college but am revisiting now after mostly paint/mixed media for at least 5 years. I’m shaking it up.”

“The last few weeks have been really enjoyable. Because in the spirit of my Make Room Residency, I took the pressure off making art for sale, or for show, and have just been meandering between books, drawing, taking notes, painting and writing.”

“In my mind, the ‘residency’ still kind of happened. It didn't look like I thought, but the intention was enough to shake up my practice, energize me to work even when I wanted to sleep, and to prioritize my art over the rest of everything going right now. I have settled into a really nice place for now where making work is back to being an all-day thing.”

Meet painter Jordan Ismaiel - painter and 2020 artist in residency

Jordan Ismaiel considers themselves a painter who makes paintings rather than an artist, a distinction they made before we met in person, during our initial conversations. I was intrigued by this proclamation and that intrigue continued as I had the pleasure of hosting Jordan for 10 days during the February MakeRoom Artist Residency . Jordan proved to be a talented painter, a kind soul and wise beyond their young years. During the artist reception which was hosted for Jordan the audience was amazed and delighted to hear their opinion on painting, time, place, identity, love and longing.

As Jordan first arrived to start their 10 days at MakeRoom they appeared a bit nervous and a withdrawn but as time passed and more and more of the residency was experienced Jordan showed themselves to be warm, funny and deeply thoughtful.

To get just a hint of what I’m referring to take a look at the 8 questions asked of MakeRoom Artist Residents.

1. What does the MakeRoom Artist Residency mean to you?

The MakeRoom Artist Residency means to me what I feel it may mean for the other artists who have also entered this space. To enter a completely new space and have the ability to simply work is a means within itself. Coming to this space as a pause from my “regular life” has given me a different point of view on the work that I am making and the usual surroundings that I create for myself or find myself in. Since being here, I have thought more critically about what my work means for me, at least at this point in my life. Ultimately, the opportunity to be here has been a very fortunate and generous one.

2. How will your time at MakeRoom allow you to investigate, explore or deepen your work?

My time at MakeRoom has been interesting in terms of what I have been exploring in my work in context with time. Ten days allows for a plan to develop and change completely within the last few moments, as does most time. I have had the opportunity to think critically about the application of my practice with some things taking 10 minutes while other things took the entire 10 days to develop and process. Thinking about time as a vital aspect of any artist’s working practice, I ask myself how important time is in the process of making and what comes of different periods of allotted time on the product of a process. I have found, at this point, that some of the best things have come from quick impulse decisions in order to aid in longer projects.

3. In 10 words or less, what have you learned while at MakeRoom?

Use a possible opportunity that presents you with an experience.

4. What is your favorite tool or skill in life?

I think my favorite tool or skill in life is the ability to create something for myself that others seem to connect with in similar ways that I do. Or at least just to make something. What that something may be may offer limitless possibilities.

5. In 3 words, what do artists/makers/creators offer the world?

Love and questions

6. Share a podcast, book or film that I should know about, something that really has you thinking.

I would say my favorite book as of right now would be worth considering sharing: Art and Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayless and Ted Orland. This book was recommended to me by a professor for its questions that are raised within the text on the processes of artmaking. After reading this book initially, I was left really considering everything I had known at that point in time on art-making and what that really meant. I find myself constantly going back to the text, referencing it again and again to others as a book that aids in thinking about what it means to create and what abilities and responsibilities the individual holds as the creator.

7. What is on your bucket list?

As of right now, things on my bucket list include going to graduate school, becoming a professor, helping people, and living the life I was meant to be living.

8. Shapes, colors or words – pick your favorite.

Words. Words have the ability to inform and alter how an individual sees shape and color; especially those in context with each other.

Books and Bottles No. 9 was FINE!!

It’s been nine years now that I have hosted an annual event in the depths of Winter called Books and Bottles.

In keeping with tradition I am sharing the books that were exchanged and of course remembering the fun and interesting night that I shared with all my guests.

This years list is as follows:

Title, Author

Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson

Born A Crime, Trevor Noah

They Called Me an Enemy, George Takei

Eating Animals, Jonathan Safran Foer

The Book Thief, Markus Zusak

The River of Doubt, Candice Millard

Fire in the Earth, David Whyte

The Paradox of Choice, Barry Schwartz

Into the Water, Julia Cameron

The Father, Sharon Olds

A Good Time for the Truth, Sun Yung Shin

Travels with Charley, John Steinbeck

Florida, Lauren Groff

The Twenty-ninth Day, Alex Messenger

Love Medicine, Louise Erdrich

To Bless the Space Between Us, John O’Donahue

An interview with artist in resident Tyler Rai

For the fourth ‘installment’ and second season, of the MakeRoom Artist Residency we have had the great pleasure of hosting dancer, improviser performer Tyler Rai of Massachusetts for 10-days.

While primarily a dancer Tyler spent a great deal of her time at MakeRoom focusing on writing about her work. Much of her performance has been informed by a deep appreciation on her part of glaciers and their place in the more-than-human world. Additionally while at MakeRoom, she enjoyed the sun, muddy walks, outings in nature and collaborating with local Minneapolis creatives.

She was kind enough to take a pause from her work and answer the following questions. Enjoy!!

1.      What does the MakeRoom Artist Residency mean to you?

It means making room for parts of my creative process to emerge. it means experimenting with the limitations and opportunities of creative work in a domestic space. it means learning how to make space for myself in my process of creating. 

2.      How will your time at MakeRoom allow you to investigate, explore or deepen your work?

It has given me time to investigate principles of my practice that have been developing beneath the surface of things, and give them more language and attention. It has also given me time to rest, allowing for integration and new understanding of my creative process.

3.      In 10 words or less what have you learned while at MakeRoom?

Be present. Take your time. Stay true.

4.      What is your favorite tool or skill in life?

I love vessels -- bowls, cups, glasses -- which there are a lot of at MakeRoom. They allow me to hold things that nourish me and share them with others. I think art can do the same thing.

5.      In 3 words, what do artists/makers/creators off the world?

Healing, innovation, survival

6.      Share a podcast, book or film that I should know about, something that really has you thinking.

For the Wild Podcast hosted by Ayana Young

7.      What is on your bucket list?

Share as much love as I can in this lifetime. Visit a glacier. Grow my own food. Dance as much as I can. 

8.      Shapes, colors or words – pick your favorite.

Circles.

An interview with artist in resident, Lauren Sudbrink

For the third ‘installment’ and second season, of the MakeRoom Artist Residency we have had the great pleasure of hosting performer, composer and artist Lauren Sudbrink of Chicago for a 10-day stay.

During her time at MakeRoom she has accomplished a great deal and stayed very focused on her work. She has commented often about how valuable and precious her time at MakeRoom is and how much she hopes to maximize her energies to accomplish as much as possible. Toward that goal she has stayed very fixated and determined in optimizing her residency experience.

Her work is performative in nature and varies from project to project. However, while at MakeRoom she has concentrated exclusively on a work titled- 840 Variations on Vexations, an ongoing project that takes inspiration from avant garde French composer Erik Satie’s composition, Vexations.

Taking a break from her work, Lauren was willing to answer 8 questions for us. The answers of which give us good insight into her thoughts on her MakeRoom experience as well as her love for Charolette Moorman and Yoko Ono.

1.      What does the MakeRoom Artist Residency mean to you?

Time is such a valuable asset for artists who are often juggling multiple jobs, social calendars, important relationships with friends and family, (sleep?) and of course, their practice. The practice is often the portion of these responsibilities that is most compromised by the busy lives we lead, no matter how much we try to weave it into our daily tasks and routines. MakeRoom has graciously given me the gift of time.  Time away from my responsibilities and distractions in Chicago. Time to make and think. Time to rest and recharge. Time to focus and time to play. Time to make the morning coffee experience a delicate ritual instead of a rushed affair.  Time to do what I love, all day, every day for ten days. This time has been invaluable to me and I am not surprised that I do not want it to end.

2.      How will your time at MakeRoom allow you to investigate, explore or deepen your work?

Throughout my time at MakeRoom I’ll be able to focus exclusively on aspects associated with my larger work in progress, an eventual book entitled 840 Variations on Vexations. It is my goal to work toward furthering the arrangement of the material that will make up the book, focusing on layout and structure. I will also execute a selection of projects from my annotated list (840 Variations on Vexations) that require intimate attentions to their tedious, durational and/or collaborative nature.

3.      In 10 words or less what have you learned while at MakeRoom?

Thomas should be a cruise director. Chemex > French Press.

4.      What is your favorite tool or skill in life?

Perseverance/focus/dedication. Humor and play. (I can’t pick one)

5.      In 3 words, what do artists/makers/creators offer the world?

Opportunities for (deeper) thought

6.      Share a podcast, book or film that I should know about, something that really has you thinking.

 Hmmmm…

Topless Cellist: The Improbable Life of Charlotte Moorman, a book by Joan Rothfuss. This book is one of the first to really explore and unpack the life and career of Charlotte Moorman, a woman who has essentially been written out of the avant garde canon. She is, of course, the inspiration for my iPhone bra that I created and wore for a panel I spoke on about the Fluxed Body in Parts in Toronto in fall of 2018. Moorman is a hidden gem of the avant garde; a cellist, performance artist and founder of the Annual Avant Garde Festival of New York. I highly recommend bringing her into your life at your earliest convenience.

Somewhere in Time, a film from the 1980s, starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. Essentially a romantic sci-fi tied up in a bow with time travel. It’s incredibly sad and slow and perfectly lovely. 

7.      What is on your bucket list?

 -Finish my book 840 Variations on Vexations

-Have a drink with Yoko Ono-discuss potential collaborations

-Drive the Ring Road in Iceland

-Full-time teaching position at a University

-Visit Siegfried's Mechanisches Musikkabinett (a museum of mechanical musical instruments in Germany)

-Climb a volcano and toss in a wish

8.      Shapes, colors or words – pick your favorite.

Shapes-as they can draw and define languages and other methods of communication, alternative to the written as we know it. This includes music (and other sonic experiences) and mathematics, as well as gestural and other visual methods.

each day

Lauren Sudbrink - now the Artist Resident for February 2019, seeks community engagement

We are excited to announce the new MakeRoom Artist Resident for February 2019!! Lauren Sudbrink of Chicago, an artist, musician and performer.

Lauren’s work is concerned with the possibilities of social engagement. She examines and asserts the notion that art is never passive or static, but a constellation of systems and processes that determine, affirm, and condition our experiences.

By using common objects such as glue, balloons and ice and simple performative gestures like breathing onto glass and burning paper, she explore limits and gains of simple gestures.

Lauren’s current project is a book-in-progress, entitled “840 Variations on Vexations.” The book is an annotated list of potential projects in collaboration with and in response to French composer, Erik Satie’s composition “Vexations,” that range from objects to events, happenings, and performances to sounds, new music and recordings.

Most exciting of course is some of what she’ll work on at MakeRoom will require community engagement!!! Thus the MakeRoom community and the Twin Cities at large have a unique opportunity to engage and interact with art making, events and of course Vexations.

Who knows what will happen during her time at MakeRoom. Stay tuned to find out.

NOTE: Due to unfortunate circumstances the previously announced artist, Kelly Kristin Jones of Chicago will be unable to attend MakeRoom in February 2019

Books and Bottles, episode 8 was a success!!

For eight consecutive years I have hosted a party every January called Books and Bottles. At the conclusion of last year’s party friends asked me to share more about the party - it’s history, how it it operates and the list of books that were exchanged during the event. You’ll see last year’s story here in the Chronicle section if you look for it.

As I sit here on a sunny Sunday with mild winter temps I’m thinking back to last night as about 20 of us gathered for Books & Bottles, episode 8. My home was filled with great friends and great food plus plenty of bottles of tasty beverages and of course a stack of intriguing books.

This years list is as follows:

Title, Author

• Barrel Fever, David Sedaris

• The Reader, Berhanrd Schlink

• The River of Doubt, Candice Millard

• St Francis of America, Patricia Applebon

• Poetic Scientific, Leah Noble

• Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, Jenny Lawson

• Hillbilly Elegy, J.D. Vance

• Invisible Cities, Italo Calvino

• The Signature of All Things, Elizabeth Gilbert

• The Horla, Guy De Maupassant

• Tell the Wolves I’m Home, Carol Burnt

• Homegoings - Yaa Gyasi

• The Grass Harp, Truman Capote

• The Oath and the Office, Corey Brettschneider

• The Blue Zones of Happiness, Dan Bluttner

• New and Selected Poems, Mary Oliver