MERIDIANS LAB: Experiments In Art, Change & Praxis
APRIL 8 – MAY 6, 2017
Jess Solomon & Co.
Transformer presents Meridians Lab, a highly interactive, ephemeral site for cultural work, experimentation and the cross-pollination of ideas and experiences, led by activist & cultural strategist Jess Solomon.
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
Guided by a set of ‘meridians’, specific pathways in which notions of art, change and praxis are explored, this site-specific lab will delve into Emergence, Feminine Economy & Radical Imagination. Exploring these paths with a range of artists, instigators, question-askers, builders and organizers, Meridians Lab seeks to catalyze critical dialogue, creative practice, and world building that can live well beyond temporal space and time.
Solomon expands: “Emergence, Feminine Economics and Radical Imagination are themes that have knowingly and unknowingly guided my practice over the last 10 years. Meridians Lab is a condensed, 'view from the fish-bowl' of those themes in action. We are reimagining what ‘The Gallery’ and ‘Exhibition’ means; I’m excited and curious about what will be left behind. As a cultural institution, Transformer embodies all that this exhibition is about. I am honored to conspire with them.”
Jess Solomon is a culture strategist who seeks to expand and deepen the role of art and culture in the social change sector. With roots in Baltimore and Washington, DC, she believes in leveraging creative processes and products to reimagine strategies for cultural transformation.
EXHIBITION EXPERIMENTS / PROGRAMMING
SATURDAY, APRIL 8th, 6:00pm - 8:30PM
A People’s HISTORY of DC Arts and Culture: 1997 - 2017
We kick off Meridians by building out a collective history of DC arts and culture from 1997 until today. What strategies for today can we learn from our collective cultural past? Native Washingtonian, long-time resident, new transplant? Add your history to the timeline. Co-produced with The General Store. Sounds by Les Talusan, DJ Pinstriped Rebel.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12th, 6:30 - 8:30PM
The Match: Catalytic Connections
Every organization working to make the world better should have a relationship with an artist. The Match is "speed-dating" for artists and change-makers.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19th, 6:30 - 8:30PM
Wikipedia-edit-athon
We have the power to improve the narrative about DC arts and culture on Wikipedia. What’s missing? What should be amplified? Let’s foster more culturally equitable editorship.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26th, 6:30 - 8:30PM
Study Circle: Feminine Economics
Discussion: Business Birthing Handbook by Jennifer Ambrust- RSVP Required
SATURDAY, APRIL 29th, 1 - 4PM
Meridians Art Workshop: Recipes for Survival, Pleasure & Freedom
Create and share radical recipes in collective cookbooks as tools for more joy, creativity, connection, gratification, and power. Led by Jamila Zahra Felton of The Beat of Blossoms.
SATURDAY, MAY 6th, 5 - 8PM
CLOSING: A People’s FUTURE of DC Arts and Culture: 2017 - 2037
We close out Meridians with your visions. Come help us build out a collective vision for the next 20 years of DC’s arts and culture scene. Add your visions.
EXHIBITION HOURS: Wednesday-Saturday, 12-6pm and by appointment.
