Welcome to spring 2022 at the Arts Research Center, where we have programmed a compelling set of events and are delighted to welcome artist/researcher Dario Robleto as our Artist-In-Residence. It’s challenging to predict how the semester will unfold since we face ongoing uncertain circumstances, but we hope to see you at some of our (largely virtual) conversations, readings, and talks!
First, I want to emphasize events that are related to the course Indigenous Arts in the Americas: Old and New Media I am co-teaching with Prof. Natalia Brizuela and Prof. Beth Piatote—an artist’s talk with Jeffrey Gibson on Tuesday Jan. 25, and a presentation by Wendy Red Star in conversation with Beth Piatote on Friday April 1. These talks are part of an incredible array of conversations on campus this semester featuring Indigenous artists and thinkers from North and South America, including films at BAMPFA and dialogues hosted by the Center for Latin American Studies.
As we continue to explore our multi-year initiative on Poetry and the Senses (sponsored by the Engaging the Senses Foundation), ARC is pleased to announce that we have extended the fall 2021 fellows cohort for the entire year. You can find their reflections on the theme of coexistence on ARC’s blog here; given how deeply they are engaging with each other, we have decided to continue to support their collaboration through the spring. (We will have a new cohort of fellows in fall 2022, applications will be available in early April.) Several readings are scheduled as part of this initiative, including an event that celebrates Kundiman—a national organization that supports Asian American creative writing—with Cathy Linh Che, Chen Chen and Jenny Xie on March 10; and one inspired by poets with Detroit roots featuring Tarfia Faizullah, Vievee Francis, & Matthew Olzmann, in conversation with Chiyuma Elliott, April 28. We also are preparing to release a new round of our beloved Flash Readings during National Poetry month – short but nourishing blasts of poetry from local writers.
Our Artist-in-Residence Dario Robleto, who has worked in collaboration with everyone from SETI scientists to cardiologists, is the perfect embodiment of what arts research looks like. He also describes himself as a “materialist poet,” and brings a visual artist’s perspective to our Poetry and the Senses project; he will give a talk on Tuesday March 15, followed by a conversation with me.
Lastly, I want to extend my profound gratitude to Chiyuma Elliott for serving as ARC’s Acting Director in the Fall; she oversaw a thoughtful and dynamic program that you can catch up on here.
All my best for a happy spring as we hopefully emerge from the darkest days of this pandemic…
Julia Bryan-Wilson
Doris and Clarence Malo Professor of Modern and Contemporary Art
Director, Arts Research Center