Project Spotlight: MOLLY SCHULMAN + MAIDEN LA
Once again we're pointing the spotlight at a creative, artist-centered, share-based project by a likeminded community of artists. MOLLY SCHULMAN is an artist, a new mom, and co-founder of Maiden LA, a DIY take on an art festival or biennial. (We should say we are particular fans of this project because members of our Sustainability Network created a show at Arena One Gallery for Maiden LA in 2016!) As Molly puts it: "It can be intimidating and bewildering to navigate the art world and Maiden LA provides a rare forum where an unrepresented artist working out of their garage is on the same plane as an institution like the Getty."
Molly and pup.
Hey Molly! Tell us a little about your creative and professional practice. What do you do in the world?
I am an artist and a brand new mom. My art deals with the absurd and often amusing meaninglessness and dysfunction of technology, language and perception. I like jokes and I like words. Lately I have been making boxes out of boxes. Also, being a car-less Angeleno, I am interested in the obstacles of navigating Los Angeles without a car and have responded by making clumsy, motorized wall sculptures.
It has definitely been challenging to maintain my artistic practice throughout pregnancy and now with a newborn, but I am working at finding that balance. On days when pregnancy took its toll and I couldn’t get to the studio, I worked on an illustrated book for my daughter sketching moments throughout each week--anything from what I had for dinner to the current political climate.
What is Maiden LA and how did it come into being?
Maiden LA is a 100% inclusive county-wide survey of art happenings that encourages the use of alternative spaces. Originally, the idea was riffing off of the “Made in LA” show at the Hammer Museum--a biennial survey that highlights emerging or underrepresented LA artists. My collaborator, Salomeh Grace, and I wanted to expand on the Hammer’s idea by creating a show that represents all of LA’s artists, whether it was somebody working out of their living room or someone who showed with a major gallery or institution. It was a way to blur hierarchical lines and put everyone on the same plane. We also wanted to encourage the use of public or alternative space as a way to demonstrate that artists can work without a budget or feeling confined to the typical white walled gallery setting. So we literally recombined the letters of “Made in LA” to create an anagram (and humorously, a homophone, so when someone says they are in the Maiden LA show, no one will know which show they are referring to), thusly birthing Maiden LA.
A Maiden LA picnic at Barnsdall Art Park in 2017.
Why is Maiden LA needed right now in Los Angeles?
Maiden LA seems especially relevant as Los Angeles gets more and more media attention as a burgeoning artistic hub. It can be intimidating and bewildering to navigate the art world and Maiden LA provides a rare forum where an unrepresented artist working out of their garage is on the same plane as an institution like the Getty.
How does thIS fit into the effort by artists to do their work and build community in an economically sustainable way?
Maiden LA not only aims to connect artists, but also attempts to connect artists to the greater community. Collectively through Maiden LA, artists can open up what are normally private spaces and share their work with the public. And they can do it with little to no budget. Last year artists invited the public to their studios, garages, kitchens, parks, gardens, backyards, front yards, street corners. It was truly incredible!
How can we get involved?
The deadline for project submissions is June 15, 2017, so there are 2 weeks left to send in your details. We want artists to remain autonomous, so there are virtually no parameters except that it must take place sometime during August. And remember, everyone who applies is included. You can find all the details on our website at www.maiden.la/open-call.
Feel free to connect with us on social media and share the call with your friends! And this August, be sure to check our calendar and attend some of the amazing Maiden LA events!
https://www.instagram.com/maiden.la/
