Multi-platform, virtual exhibition opens at Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE)
As part of its virtual programming strategy to continue offering opportunities to explore and engage with contemporary art and artists as we shelter at home, Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE) presents The Velocity of a Page, a multi-platform virtual exhibition on view May 2–May 23, 2020. The exhibition is being presented across the gallery’s website and Instagram page. Curated by Christopher Kardambikis, the online show explores the cross section of contemporary practices in book arts and publishing pulling together books, zines, publications, and book-ish objects created by artists and organizations across the United States.
Exploring space, process, and narrative, the exhibition features 32 artists and publishers ranging from Pioneer Works in New York, Candor Arts in Chicago, and Martian Press in Los Angeles to regional creators Emily Fussner and Pellinore Press. In addition to still images, the exhibition includes short videos that provide an expansive look into the craftsmanship and appeal of the objects.
“The book as an object, as a practice, and as a place wields a specific gravity,” states Kardambikis. “They are tools to build and support communities. They are spaces held for individuals and documents of experience. This multifaceted world reveals a nuanced and complicated view of what it means to publish and what it means to distribute ideas and art via objects that are held, open, and explored by hand.”
A bibliophile and zinester, Guest Curator Christopher Kardambikis founded Paper Cuts, a podcast and publishing platform that documents the contemporary world of zines and artist publications. He received his BFA from Carnegie Mellon University and MFA from the University of California, San Diego. In the fall of 2016, Christopher joined the faculty at George Mason University as an Assistant Professor and the Director of Navigation Press.
Velocity of a Page can be viewed online at restonarts.org/exhibition/the-velocity-of-a-page and on Instagram @restonarts.org #velocityofapage.
Join us for The Velocity of a Page public programming
Opening Reception and In Their own Words
May 7, 6pm
Conversation with Guest Curator Christopher Kardambikis and featured artists.
FREE and open to the public. RSVP in advance at info@restonarts.org for Zoom Room link and password.
Sponsored by Reston Community Center.
Creative Response
May 21, 6pm
Join the Greater Reston Arts Center to hear and watch performance artist Rex Delafkaran respond to Velocity of a Page. The short presentation will be followed by Q&A.
FREE and open to the public. RSVP in advance at info@restonarts.org for for Zoom Room link and password.
Sponsored by Reston Community Center.
For more information please visit restonarts.org.
Pictured at top:
Left: Imin Yeh, My Sister’s Chinese Dictionary, 2019
Right: Image credit: Sarah Hulsey @sarahmhulsey
The Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE) serves tens of thousands of people annually, providing Virginia, Maryland, and DC’s diverse communities with abundant opportunities to experience and explore contemporary art through exhibitions, education programming, and the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival. Greater Reston Arts Center strives to increase understanding of different cultures through art, brings diverse audiences together around a common interest, and ensures access and opportunity for engagement in the arts to all residents, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, or income. Admission to the GRACE gallery is always FREE, as are most programs.
GRACE gratefully acknowledges the leadership of its Board of Directors and the support of its sponsors, members, and patrons. GRACE is a Virginia Commission for the Arts “50 for 50 Arts Inspiration Award” winner in the category of Bedrock Institutions and is supported in part by ARTSFAIRFAX, Reston Community Center, Virginia Commission for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
