Back into the swing of things.

Yes, Norma and I both had amazing adventures--she in Chile, me in Indonesia. Norma brought back some cool goodies (like horsehair earrings) for the Nest, and I brought back some interesting pics (that will appear in a group show at the Nest in June).

It didn't take us long to dive back into art house madness, as we deinstalled the circus show and up went the meat! Meat and Potato, co-curated with my pal Ashley, is an artistic exploration of meat culture. It opens tomorrow night!

I'm sure it seems curious (for those who know I have been a vegetarian for 18 years) for me to host a show about meat. Things actually were set in motion before I had time to ponder this...but it was actually been a worthwhile introspection for me.  

In Indonesia where I was photographing fish markets and meat counters, I started to think about meat in a new way. Talking with Ashley about the textures and colors in meat that inspire her paintings, helped me see more than dead flesh. I saw a way of life, a symbiotic culture, and a striking beauty in the objects themselves.

But this doesn't mean that I will start eating it. It is a personal choice I made based on my love of animals and hatred of waste and cruelty. The way that most animals exist in captivity for slaughter is appalling and unnecessary. If you have no idea, watch PETA's "Meet your Meat" video:

Pledge to Be Veg for 30 Days!

But I'd also like to acknowledge those out there who are treating the animals they raise with respect and nurturing kindness (like my friends Clare and Brian and probably hundreds of admirable farmers). They have taken the time to examine their options and have chosen the cruelfree path. Kudos.

And the gals at meatpaper have been an inspiration. They are encouraging people to ponder the source of their meat and consider their meat a source of inspiration. I am fascinated by the intersection of art & meat. I guess that's why I've invited artist Tom Patton who puts it so well:

"To me, these images are weird and witty, simultaneously reverent and irreverent and employ the fascination/repulsion that humans have with things that we put into our bodies."

Come see the show for yourself. I am really interested to hear impressions and opinions.

Comments

[edward mycue]

welcome home welcome home ann marie.
edward mycue

[Ann]

Thanks Ed! Shame about Stacey's closing. Will you NOW retire? :)

[edward mycue]

no but i'll be out of a job and trying to figure out what to do.
no pension's involved as you know.
health plan tied to jobs is for countries who governor hate the (while having health plans themselves for all of their lives).
i must be direct to be fair. can't be a fairycake dreamer all the time.
it's glorious young friends and caring citizens who can make the future better for the younger contemporaries coming on.
ed