I was introduced recently to a biennale I had not heard of -- The Wrong Biennale. It's an international affair that's been around since 2013. Links below to check it out. And be sure to go into the Digital Arts Blog Pavilion, for which you will need to select an avatar, and then move that avatar around to look at the art - a New Experience! There's a great-sounding documentary film, "Reimagining Safety," screening next Wednesday, Nov. 15, in East Falls. Free. Information below. And finally, University of Pennsylvania Fine Arts has two opportunities! Two openings for full time teaching faculty.
NOTABLE EXHIBITION
The Wrong Biennial
I had never heard of The Wrong Biennale, but Clayton Campbell, an artist and Artblog contributor, has a piece in the this year’s Biennale, in the DigitalArtsBlog.com Pavilion, and he got in touch with the information. I ventured into the virtual Pavilion, having selected an avatar (yes, you must) with short dark hair who looked maybe to be in her 20s (why not). She jumped over rocks, no sweat and walked around peering at the art. I spent more time watching the avatar than looking at the art, it was like have a reluctant teen with you that you had to keep urging forward (I exaggerage). It was an interesting experience. You should check it out and make an avatar and make her jump over rocks and look at art.
From Clayton:
Curator and DigitalArtsBlog.com founder Cansu Peker invited myself and ten other artists to be part of an invitational virtual group exhibition for this years iteration of the Wrong Biennale. The Curator says “The exhibition is about dreaming in 1’s and 0’s to find yourself in nature; the human essence that drives us to find organic in digital, and self in Mother nature.”
“A Storytelling” (Clayton’s piece) evokes an intimate glimpse into a moment of shared wisdom and connection. My new digital art work, 51″ x 88″, was created with original photography, Photoshop, and AI generative fill. Interview with Clayton Campbell on the Digital Arts Blog.
Dooplidoo – The Wrong Biennale 2023/24
The Wrong Biennale is an independent, multicultural, decentralised and collaborative international art biennial founded in 2013. The Wrong has grown to become a massive international community and a reference in the art scene, bringing together curators, artists and institutions, online and offline, every two years. Thewrong.org
NOTABLE EVENT
November 15, 6:30 – 9:30 PM
“Reimagining Safety, (2023)” a 90-minute documentary film by Matthew Solomon
The Fallser Club, 3721 Midvale Ave.
Panel discussion following the movie, with Evan Laine, Menika Dirkson, PhD, and Alex S. Vitale Moderator: Seth Anderson-Oberman
A riveting new documentary, “Reimagining Safety,” flips the script on police reform with irrefutable facts and evidence. Released this year, it’s been winning awards around the country, and re-awakening public outcry for smarter, kinder, more effective criminal justice policy. Ten experts discuss how policing and incarceration create more harm than good, why the system persists, and what changes can be made to make everyone safe. Director Matthew Solomon brings his film to Philadelphia for the first time this November 15th, with a free public screening + panel discussion moderated by seasoned organizer Seth Anderson-Oberman and presented by Mt Airy youth journalist and
activist, Nigel Ousey.
PARTNERS: See Beyond My Skin, Local storytelling non-profit dedicated to making America safe for Black and Brown people Germantown Radio/92.9FM, Northwest Philly’s community radio station The Local paper – Free monthly newspaper exploring Philly through a local lens, with a focus on the people The Fallser Club Innovative community space for everyone, located in East Falls, Philadelphia
PRESENTED BY: Nigel Ousey was twelve in 2020, when he founded See Beyond My Skin as a
way to push back on dehumanizing narratives behind over-policing and under-investment in
Black and Brown communities. Currently, Nigel is an intern at Germantown Radio, with his own
show “Big Questions” where he interviews local guests about big issues. In 2023, he was
awarded a Civic Spring Fellowship from the Institute for Citizens & Scholars to continue his
efforts with See Beyond My Skin. This screening is his organization’s first time co-hosting an
event. “A lot of the time young people are screwed over by the decisions made by people
before we were even born. That is why a lot of people my age are mad. I wanted to
bring this film to the community so you can start fixing the problems that you created
for my generation. Starting conversations and promoting action is the only way to begin
fixing the problems,” he says. He’s excited to promote better understanding and network with others for sweeping, evidence-based reforms.
MODERATOR: Seth Anderson-Oberman is a Black working-class advocate, public school parent,
and lifelong Germantowner. A union organizer for the past 24 years, Seth has been an activist
since he was in college, where he helped lead protests against union-busting and community
displacement in North Philadelphia. He co-founded the Philadelphia Labor for Black Lives
Coalition and fostering youth-led activism as a member of the Board of Directors for the
Philadelphia Student Union. After a very narrow loss to three-term incumbent Councilmember
Cindy Bass for 8 th District City Council last May, Seth Anderson-Oberman is an emerging
Philadelphia leader and community organizer for civic action.
MEET THE DIRECTOR: Matthew Solomon (filmmaker, author and conflict resolution facilitator)
was born and raised in Los Angeles and has been in the entertainment business for most of his
adult life–first in music and then as an award-winning writer/director. His passion for people,
equity, and social justice led him to work as a consultant for organizations needing help with
conflict resolution and partnership building. His Masters degree study involved a deep dive into
understanding policing, the carceral system, and public safety. This film was his capstone
project. Available for interviews and additional screenings, please email
mattytheglue@gmail.com for availability and contact info.
OPPORTUNITY
Two Open Teaching Positions in Fine Arts, Stuart Weitzman School of Design
We are excited to announce two open teaching positions in Weitzman Fine Arts at the University of Pennsylvania. The Department values diversity among its faculty, is committed to building a culturally diverse intellectual community, and strongly encourages applications from women, BIPOC candidates, and candidates with other underrepresented positionalities. Qualified candidates may find more information and links to apply below.
The Department of Fine Arts at the Stuart Weitzman School of Design at the University of Pennsylvania is seeking candidates for a tenure-track faculty position in Fine Arts (Emerging Design Practices). This position is a full-time, tenure-track appointment at the Assistant Professor level with responsibilities for teaching, research, and service.
We seek applicants who embrace a contemporary understanding of design as it critically responds to the social, cultural, political, and ecological realities of our times. Candidates may have backgrounds in interactive media, computational design, design for disability, virtual experience design, conceptual and speculative design, inclusive design, novel material design and fabrication, material ecology, or other emerging design specializations. We welcome applicants from fields as diverse as the arts, humanities, engineering, or architecture.
The Department of Fine Arts at the Stuart Weitzman School of Design, University of Pennsylvania seeks a candidate to teach courses in animation and foundation design courses. The teaching load of this full-time lecturer rank, five sections per academic year, would be considered a full-time position and will be eligible for benefits.
Weitzman MFA Program
The Master of Fine Arts program at Penn is focused on the professional development of visual artists. Through workshops, seminar courses, international residency opportunities and interactions with curators, writers and artists, the program provides an open intellectual framework to foster independent methods of artistic research. In addition to seminars within the Fine Arts department, graduate students are encouraged to pursue topics of science and the humanities through an impressive selection of courses offered across the university. View the Graduate Fine Arts Events Page
