The Magic Issue

Dear Readers,

What does it mean to be an adult and still believe in magic? For us, magic stands for something that has the ability to remove us from our everyday lives. This could be waking up to a silent snow, the world unexpectedly caked in white. Or it could be more utilitarian, like lucking out on your morning commute, each train, each transfer, arriving just seconds after you step onto the platform. Most importantly, it’s about rising above the forces that tell us to stay in our place, not to stand out, lest we be hunted down and burned on the stake of our differences. In this issue we celebrate those differences: black girl magic, older woman magic, and just plain witchy magic.

For cover artist Grimanesa Amorós, magic comes from working with the miracle of technology: Her large-scale installations using LED lighting inspire wonder in anyone who sees them, in the gallery or on the street. Read our discussion with her on page 03. Yayoi Kusama’s ever-Instagrammable work delves into the magic, light and dark, that can occur within our own minds. Get a peek inside hers on page 70.

In the face of adversity, we’re always stunned by the magic that can happen when women come together to make something new: a business, a movement, a magazine. We invite you to get together with the inspiring women in your life and join our conversation. Visit our shop to get an AWT Magic Issue Share Pack, and use it as a way to voice your frustrations and fears, wishes and goals. From the fascinating desktops of the women who study and predict trends (page 86), to the perilous work of female deminers in Nagorno-Karabakh (page 29), to the strange account of the hysteric girls of LeRoy, New York (page 08), we think you’ll find many stories to inspire discussion. Rants, tangents, and incantations welcomed and encouraged.

Friends, it’s time to come up with our own magical thinking: one that lets us recreate ourselves at any moment, at any age, according to any vision, big or small. Let’s own our powers.

Your AWT Team

For more info, please visit: https://awomensthing.org/blog/the-magic-issue/

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Event

Grimanesa Amorós Portrait, Photo Credit: Gigi Stoll

VISITING ARTIST | GRIMANESA AMORÓS Reception: Tuesday November 14, 6 pm at Chace Center Lobby Artist Talk: November 14, 7-9 pm at Metcalf Auditorium, Chace Center RISD Museum, 20 North Main St. Providence, RI 02903

Grimanesa Amorós is an interdisciplinary artist with diverse interests in the fields of social history, scientific research and critical theory. Through her art she conveys an ephemeral wonder, entrancing viewers from all different backgrounds and communities to become agents of empowerment. She makes use of sculpture, video and lighting to create works that illuminate our notions of personal identity and community. She was a guest speaker at TEDGlobal 2014, earned an NEA Visual Artist Fellowship and an NEA Artist Travel Grant, and participated in the Art In Embassies Program. Her work has been exhibited in the US, Europe, Asia and Latin America. For more info, please visit the link below:

The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)

The Rhode Island School of Design, or, as it’s colloquially known, RISD, is a university dedicated to the fine arts and design. RISD has been ranked among the best art and design universities in the US.

(https://vimeo.com/247539978)
(https://events.risd.edu/event/grimanesa_amoros_site_specific_light_installations#.WjgVwraZNUM)
(http://academicaffairs.risd.edu/tag/grimanesa-amoros/)

https://www.yabyumwest.com/2017/07/yabyum-seven-grimanesa-amoros.html

YabYum

YabYum has been covering music and arts since 2009. Based out of Arizona, they offer daily coverage of new music and artists, as well as local dining and culture. They believe artists should support one another and believe in Living Local. And, of course, they believe in Art as Means to Enlightenment. (https://www.yabyumwest.com/wtf)

MAMA COCA limited edtion laser print

Opening: Thursday, August 24th at 2 PM Discussion Panel: August 26th at 6 PM 19 Rue de la République Marseille, FranceCurators: Leïla Voight and Ariel Kyrou Après avoir enchanté les Alpilles avec ses Paradis Perdus / Lost Paradise, le festival a-part s’empare de Marseille! Du 24 – 27.For more info, please visit: festival-apart.org

a-part festival

The a-part festival is a modern arts festival which takes place every year, located in the Alpilles, between Arles, Avignon and Aix-en-Provence. The contemporary art festival invites multiple international artists to meet the public and showcase their artwork. A key event for contemporary art that promotes diversity of disciplines, and emphasizes the interaction between artists and visitors.