October 7–November 10, 2016
Artspace
50 Orange St
New Haven, CT 06510
www.cwos.org
www.artspacenh.org
Dubbed ”an exhibition the size of a city,” Artspace’s annual City-Wide Open Studios festival creates platforms for artists and audiences to meet. Over each weekend in October, the geography of the festival changes and four New Haven neighborhoods take a turn at playing the role of host. Hundreds of typically off-limits spaces open—from private studios in artists’ homes to shared work spaces in a former Erector Set factory and a historic 200,000 square foot Armory.
For the 19th year, Artspace has produced a series of commissioned works that question the terms of participation within the visual arts festival model. These commissions invite ten artists and artist collectives to explore points of connection between the visual arts, sports and games. With “Game On!” as the theme, the festival recognizes that art, like sports, presents structures and rules for play. Here, the rules and structures are reimagined, challenged and broken.
The commissioned projects include:
Megan Craig’s The Way Things Felt, an immersive touch-based installation that invites up to 40 viewers to simultaneously collaborate on the creation of a 3D work made of felt.
Christie DeNizio’s Competitive Volume, a site-responsive installation that connects the defunct basketball hoops of a court previously used to host the National Championship Basketball Tournament for High School Students.
Nadine Nelson’s Harvest Mandalas, an art project, think tank, café, wellness lab and competitive game that turns food waste into works of art and encourages visitors to contemplate on their health.
Gordon Skinner’s Urban Totems, a series of art-meets-milk crate basketball hoops installed in overlooked places around New Haven’s historic Goffe Street Armory.
Scott Schuldt’s Journey of Discovery, a scavenger hunt rooted in the history of the Lewis & Clark expedition, which requires participants to talk to artists to find clues.
Caitlin Foley and Misha Rabinovich’s Total Jump, an arcade-style game that invites up to eight people to jump and land at the exact same time. (Visitors can practice with the free app at www.totaljumplive.com)
Robert Gregson and Melanie Carr’s Puzzle People, an improvised game that invites strangers and friends to strap on 40 x 40 inch foam puzzle pieces and attempt to connect.
Martin Chaput and Martial Chazallon of Projet In Situ‘s La Ronde, an immersive sensory audio tour that leads festival-goers to the Amory’s most evocative spaces. (The project is co-produced by the International Festival of Arts & Ideas. Tickets are available for tours running from October 8 through 16.)
Site Project’s Find It! Friend It!, an online Pokémon Go style hunting game that tests players New Haven street smarts.
Adam Berkwitt and Phil Lique’s Dr. Plinko, a collaboration between physicians and artists that contemplates the absurdity surrounding pricing and profiteering within the American healthcare system.
City-Wide Open Studios Artist Directory
Don’t know where to begin? Chart out your trajectory on the City-Wide Open Studios Artist Directory, which features the dates, locations and portfolios of this year’s 300+ exhibiting artists.
Learn more
Press contact Katie Jurkiewicz: katiej [at] artspacenh.org / T +203 772 2709
