Finally!!! The TalkTalkConvo Mini Doc

My new mini doc!

This documentary documents my TalkTalkConvo experiential piece that took place in several Jacksonville area libraries. I used the library as an artspace for several reasons; chief among them being art access. So often potential art viewers don’t necessarily feel comfortable in gallery and museum spaces. I most wanted to present this piece in a space that welcomed everyone. Minus the setup and breakdown time, loading in and loading out, I had so much fun doing this. My Mom who is like my art show roadie was amazing. I am also sure she was ready to kill me by the end of this experience. This was also a test of a Mother’s love!

This film is just a snippet of what I did for TalkTalk Convo but it means so much. I love the way everything came together in the end. Documentation is such an important component of the art process. It was actually the primary focus of the grant I received from Community Foundation. Though documentation is an important part of the process, it is often thought of last and in an unenthusiastic and perfunctory way.

So here it is. My whole-hearted and intentional documentation of my project. TalkTalkConvo. Thanks again to Isaac of Jellyfish Smack Productions who did the filming and Emily Connor who suggested him. He’s amazing. Take a look at the rest of his work too while you’re checking things out.

The Name Is the Frame

A name is a sort of frame for a picture. For me Thorn, my artist moniker, (which actually is part of my name) is the perfect frame for the picture that is my artwork and advocacy work. Because I received resistance with the various types of artwork and advocacy work that I do (for the incarcerate,formerly incarcerated, and equitable public art access) I began to embrace the resistance. Interestingly enough, I was listening to the book The New Jim Crow and heard a couple thoughts on ‘Gansta Rap Culture’ in what I feel is the proper perspective: “there is nothing abnormal or surprising about a stigmatized culture embracing their stigma”. It is all in an effort to find the positive in the negative. That describes me accurately for sure: definitely always trying to find the positive in all situations.

A name is a sort of frame for a picture. For me Thorn, my artist moniker, (which actually is part of my name) is the perfect frame for the picture that is my artwork and advocacy work. Here’s at least part of the story.

The New Slave Matrix: Inhumanity + Profit in the US Prison System

The New Slave Matrix: Inhumanity + Profit in the US Prison Sysytem

So often artists become their own subject matter. There comes a time when sharing your own story is the only way to educate others. This was tough I have to say…When my brother initially went to prison it coincided with my mother’s cancer diagnosis as well as other oh so traditional familial drama. If nothing else I have more than enough to ruminate on for many an art piece for decades to come. Also what I hope for is to give another perspective for those who look at those who look at those who are incarcerated and the tragic United States epidemic of mass incarceration as a black and white issue.

#TheNewSlaveMatrix is a project that focuses on the #prisonindustrialcomplex the profiteering that happens on the backs of #American citizens and it’s overall affect on family. The first phase of this is to share phone calls between my Mother, brother Darrell, and I on a range of topics. This project is something that has been kind of rattling around in my spirit for the past couple years. Deciding to ask my family if I could share our story as part of this project just happened a few months ago. I express gratitude to them for allowing me to share.
Though I’m sharing my brother’s first days at the first facility where he was held, Santa Rosa Correctional, this wasn’t our first recorded conversation, it is the most logical starting point.
Please #share my brother’s story, our story. It is the story of millions of Americans that goes unheard.
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Listen to his story:

I Just Recently Received a Grant to Do My Project TalkTalkConvo!!!!

Grants Make the (Art) World Go Round.

I remember when I was in college. I honestly knew nothing about the world of being a professional fine/exhibiting artist.

When I truly began to understand that talking to others about my work as well as talking to other artists about their work, was the true path to being a working artist. Then, if you choose to talk to those who fund work about your work, well, it opens doors…in this case grant funding doors. I just recently received the good news that I’ve been awarded a Community Foundation Art Ventures Grant for my project TalkTalkConvo. Yaaaayyyy!!!! I love my work and believe in it and it is also an amazing feeling when you’ve convinced someone else of it’s value. I’m so excited to get started.

4th Times the Charm.

So this year was my 4th time applying for the Art Ventures grant.

Thinking back, I didn’t really believe being an exhibiting artist would be part of my personal journey. I went into the Peace Corps after college and when I finished I thought I’d be working primarily as a graphic designer. I then decided to at least dip my toe into things a little. After hearing that a friend from college received a grant and fellowship,I was fascinated. I asked her how do you do it? How do you enter this wondrous world where people will give you money to do the work you’re simply passionate about that isn’t client based. How do you begin? I asked. She simply said: '‘Just answer the questions.” Ha! What an oversimplified evasive maneuver of a question answer. Over the years I found out she was kind of right but mostly wrong. Answering questions about your artwork is mostly about leaving the fear of talking about your work in the past and being in the present to write about future work you want to create. Simple right? That’s why it took me four times. If there is any advice I’d give someone about grant writing at this point, it would be to give your proposal to someone who knows no details about what you plan to do and see if they get it. Because I so badly want to complete this project I, myself, had to move beyond my fear of allowing someone to help me help others fully understand my vision. It helped.

So What Is TalkTalkConvo About Anyway? And What’s This With You Repeating Words In Your Titles?

My in progress project TalkTalkConvo put simply is about my passion for talking an connecting with others. I read once that to read a book is like connecting to someone else’s dreams, just imagine how I feel talking to people. I truly believe that each of us has these deliciously interesting and invigorating idiosyncrasies just waiting to be discovered. Who doesn’t want to be discovered and understood?

So someone asked me recently why I repeat words in my titles. I swear I didn’t think anyone else had noticed. My last traditional show, PlayPlay, uses a phrase that I and other kids used to indicate that if something wasn’t real, (meaning not having real world consequences) it was playplay. For me the phrasing, just as it is with TalkTalkConvo is about the music and rhythm of conversation and communication, call and response, a refrain, and another opportunity. These words strung together are interacting. Interaction is required for talking as well as for play.

All of that being said, I’m so excited to embark upon this new adventure and new facet to my work. I’m also excited for you to join me. Let’s talk :)

TalkTalkConvo Proposal

We communicate at every moment. Whether or not we say a word. The bigger question: what arewe saying? Take a look at the proposal for my upcoming project.

Read the Proposal