February is for lovers, so this month we asked several of our favorite local artists to participate in a huge group show about the complexities of love in all its forms. #LOVEISSOWEIRD opens tonight, Feb. 11, from 7 to 9 pm and will be up through March 6. (FB event here, our lovely poster designed by Lisa Hammond.)
Poster by Lisa Hammond
In honor of tonight's opening, we asked all 15 artists, "What does love mean to you?"
ISABELA GARCIA
Isabela Garcia, "Untitled #1" Framed photograph.
What does love mean to you?
Isabela: Love is having your s/o pick up your film across town because you have horrible period cramps. And even though you are a meanie to them they still brush your hair and don't make fun of you when drinking wine out of a curly heart straw. <3
KIMBERLY TROWBRIDGE
Kimberly Trowbridge, "Lovers." Charcoal on paper.
What does love mean to you?
Kimberly: Love is being as weird as I am and you still showing up to meet me.
CHELSEA WERNER-JATZKE & SHAUN KARDINAL
Chelsea Werner-Jatzke & Shaun Kardinal. Still from IDK, digital video with sound.
What does love mean to you?
Chelsea: To try to write love is to confront the muck of language: that region of hysteria where language is both too much and too little, excessive and impoverished.. - Roland Barthes
Shaun: Love is a Smashing Pumpkins song.
FRANKIE BETHENY VIERRA & DEVEN ARTHUR VIERRA
"Heart and Soul Two Folds" (detail) Styled by Frankie Betheny Viérra, photo by Deven Arthur Vierra
What does love mean to you?
Frankie: Love in my opinion is the strongest realm, power, energy in the universe. It is the inimitable essence.
Deven: Love is the mutual bond between two
LAUREN RODRIGUEZ
Lauren Rodriguez, "Beg." Framed photograph.
What does love mean to you?
Lauren: The feeling of falling. the immersion of water. the swallowing. letting go. giving your breath. not needing a mirror.
KERI SCHERBRING
Keri Scherbring, "In the Beginning." Acrylic on board.
What does love mean to you?
Keri: Love means having new adventures with someone you trust to support your growth and make bullshit more bearable. Also ordering dominos pizza at 2:00am.
ANDREW LAMB SCHULTZ
Andrew Lamb Schultz, "Venus." Gouache on paper.
What does love mean to you?
Andrew: First and foremost I am super into disconnecting the concept of love from romance or sex, because I feel like most things in my life that give me the rush I associate with love are platonic or asexual.
When I think of love I think of a giddy electricity that moves me on a cellular level, makes me tingle all over and forces a smile on my face even if I try to fight it. Looking out open windows on a sunny day with a slight chilly breeze or some really good hummus or a cat with an especially cute face all give me a deep happiness I contribute to love.
JAZZ BROWN
Jazz Brown, "Living Legacy." Acrylic on birch.
What does love mean to you?
Jazz:
BRANDON VOSIKA
Brandon Vosika, "True Love Will Find You In the End." Acrylic on canvas.
What does love mean to you?
Brandon: I can't think of what love means to me.
This is sad.
LISA HAMMOND
Lisa Hammond, "Timmy." Graphic Design (digital image on canvas print).
What does love mean to you?
Lisa:
L = line underlining a word or sentence states / the quote or quotes that are true. L originally was not written with the OVE, they put the L on there to underline the OVE, when underlining or quoting something your saying it is true.
O = is a physical O / represents sexual or physical circumstances / present and past of E / the way you see or view others in a physical way
V = verities [Latin meaning the truth] or in modern day [meaning VS.] "the truth in between the physical self and emotional self" A balance between the two O and E / a neutralizing point within yourself and your perspective of others
E = emotion / emotions that dictate judgement or non-judgement of O. O & E often misunderstand each other.
The physical and emotional attachment to something or someone. The V is the neutralizing point between the O & E.
L underlines the rest of the word.
This break down of the word LOVE dissects its meaning in terms of the action / reaction in our lives.
A choice of non-judgmental perspective in every moment of interaction in life both Internally and externally with ourselves, with others, and our environment.
SOFIA LEE
Sofia Lee, "Hey, I never thanked you for listening to me." Digital photograph.
What does love mean to you?
Sofia: "it's a sort of connection, i think—kind of like the Internet."
MELISSA LUDIN
Melissa Ludin, "We are ghosts." Embroidered hair on fabric.
What does love mean to you?
Melissa: For me love is really complicated... I'm scared shitless of it and I'm also obsessed with it....Friends, family, lovers... It's all the same feeling ...the most expansive, beautiful, overwhelming, endorphin induced rush...simultaneously paired with crippling anxiety, disappointment, fear and repulsion. It's similar to liking the smell of rotting flowers... I don't give into it easily and once I do I never fucking let go. Love is the best thing ever and I hate its guts.
EMILY POTHAST
Emily Pothast, "Fear of Missing Out." Archival digital print.
What does love mean to you?
Emily: For me, love is the feeling that every being in the universe contains the same spark of the Divine.
You're either in love or you aren't. If you love some people but not others, that's not love; that's attachment.
(Full disclosure: I curated this show, and yes, I did just ask myself what love means to me. Thanks for reading & I hope to see you tonight! -e)