Overview
X-Initiative's NO SOUL FOR SALE – A Festival Of Independents (June 24 – 28, 2009, New York, NY) brought together the most exciting, creative and respected not-for-profit centers, alternative institutions, artists’ collectives and independent enterprises from around the world that contribute to the international art scene by inventing new strategies for the distribution of information and by supporting a diverse cultural program. X invited more than 30 art spaces to travel to New York City to present themselves, their programs and the artists they support. With a gesture of radical hospitality, X provided free space to all participants within the premises of the X building. The participants were allowed to show whatever they choose, be it art, performances, publications, videos, or simply themselves. - www.x-initiative.org
Transformer was honored to be among the dynamic art spaces invited to participate in this exciting festival. We presented works from our FlatFile program, and an engaging new work, the brick project, initiated at the festival by DC-based artist Geoffrey Aldridge.
Now in its third year, Transformer's FlatFile program consists of a growing collection of eclectic, unframed works on paper in a variety of two-dimensional mediums, including: photography, painting, drawing and printmaking, all approximately 16" x 20" in size and smaller. Developed to further grow audience and collectors for emerging artists in tandem with Transformer’s exhibition series, FlatFile includes work by over 50 emerging artists based regionally, nationally and internationally.
The brick project is an interactive work by Washington, DC based artist Geoffrey Aldridge that explores the creative and intellectual process of planning, fabricating, and executing an artistic concept from beginning to an unknown outcome. Timed to take place in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, Geoffrey transformed the Transformer booth space at the NO SOUL FOR SALE festival into a working studio, encouraging the public to engage with his process. Using video, drawing and sculpture, Geoffrey detailed the process of fabricating yellow brick strap-on shoes, and a plan to place them in the public realm. Much like the unpredictability of social, cultural and legal processes that gay men and women encounter daily, the brick project was intended to reflect the processes involved in the continued battle for equal rights, raising questions about futility and efficacy.
The brick project was a precursor to an exhibition of work Geoffrey Aldridge would be presenting at Transformer October 31 – December 5, 2009. Geoffrey Aldridge is represented by *gogo art projects, Conner Contemporary, Washington DC.
