Swiss-born Mai-Thu Perret has spent the past 16 years making work born from a fictional feminist art commune she created called The Crystal Frontier. Set in New Mexico, the imaginary women of the commune make work that runs the visual gamut, from the painterly to the sculptural.
For Sightings, Perret built upon on this project, installing recent ceramics and paintings, along with a new body of work that relates her interest in utopian societies to the recent development of the secular Kurdish community in the Syrian region of Rojava—a place that has been described as a utopia for its championing of women as leaders and practice of democracy among its inhabitants in the middle of war-torn territory. In collaboration with the Soluna Art and Music Festival, Perret also presented a recent performance entitled Figures at the Nasher Sculpture Center June 2, 2016 and a newly commissioned world-premiere performance on June 4, 2016.
Download Transcript of 360 Speaker Series: Mai-Thu Perret
“I think we all, at times, wonder how it would be if the world were different, that’s the essence of imagination. I don’t think utopian ideas are bound to fail, but quite likely when they become real or succeed they stop being called utopias.” – Mai-Thu Perret
Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor: Martha and Max Wells
The 360 videography project is supported by Suzanne and Ansel Aberly: this support enables digital recording of all 360 Speaker Series programs and the creation of an online archive for learners of all ages. Additional support for 360 Speaker Series provided by Sylvia Hougland and the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs.
The Sightings series is generously sponsored by Lara and Stephen Harrison.
Sightings: Mai-Thu Perret is supported by the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia and FABA Fundación Almine y Bernard Ruiz-Picasso para el Arte.
