Satpreet Kahlon
curator
why The Alice? Because I've always trusted The Alice. Because it was the first place that I showed in Seattle. Because in a world of sterile white boxes that made me feel uncomfortable in my own skin, The Alice was the first gallery in Seattle that I knew I could go to and get at least one hug. Why now? I'm not sure. I'm not even sure if now is the right time, but I trust the other Alices to know that if they think now is the time, then it probably is the time. And why the fuck not now? Has there been a better and worst time to be creating community in the arts? Probably, but I'm too busy lamenting about our current situation to think deeply about the bigger picture, so let's just say, fervidly and assuredly: NO, there has not.. |
|
what do you think makes an exhibition strong?
Authenticity, the promise of a challenge, the promise of a strange comfort, intentionality. I like things that are well done but not necessarily polished. I want to know that work is coming from a true place, a place of effort and skill, but I like work best when it feels raw, too, like indents left by your nails in the palm of your hand when you're uncomfortable -- precise, cathartic, yet painful.
I want to leave a gallery feeling that my brain has been stretched a bit, changed a little. I want to narrow my eyes and not feel sure and maybe feel stupid and sometimes feel smart.
I am tired of work that is too aware of itself, of its audience, and especially of the market. That's too simplistic of an evaluation, but you know what I mean, right?
what are you excited to learn from the other Alices?
omg. Everything. I hope Julia will teach me how to truly listen, and how to find cool clothes on the sidewalk. I hope Molly will teach me how to make artists feel completely not judged, and also how to talk so quietly and passionately at the same time. I hope Surface will teach me how to make my brain into a seriously impressive art and community database, because holy cow, what a wizard. I hope Natalie will teach me basically how to be her, because she's my current Alice crush (this changes weekly), and I hope Emily will teach me how to be in a band, because, duh.
what are your day job(s)?
Lots of little things, like everyone else, I'm sure. I teach at the Seattle Art Museum, I do freelance design work, I create fine art commissions for art consultants, I talk and teach small workshops, and I occasionally photograph weddings/take portraits. Little things that keep me guessing, keep my growing, and, most importantly, keep me paying my bills.
Authenticity, the promise of a challenge, the promise of a strange comfort, intentionality. I like things that are well done but not necessarily polished. I want to know that work is coming from a true place, a place of effort and skill, but I like work best when it feels raw, too, like indents left by your nails in the palm of your hand when you're uncomfortable -- precise, cathartic, yet painful.
I want to leave a gallery feeling that my brain has been stretched a bit, changed a little. I want to narrow my eyes and not feel sure and maybe feel stupid and sometimes feel smart.
I am tired of work that is too aware of itself, of its audience, and especially of the market. That's too simplistic of an evaluation, but you know what I mean, right?
what are you excited to learn from the other Alices?
omg. Everything. I hope Julia will teach me how to truly listen, and how to find cool clothes on the sidewalk. I hope Molly will teach me how to make artists feel completely not judged, and also how to talk so quietly and passionately at the same time. I hope Surface will teach me how to make my brain into a seriously impressive art and community database, because holy cow, what a wizard. I hope Natalie will teach me basically how to be her, because she's my current Alice crush (this changes weekly), and I hope Emily will teach me how to be in a band, because, duh.
what are your day job(s)?
Lots of little things, like everyone else, I'm sure. I teach at the Seattle Art Museum, I do freelance design work, I create fine art commissions for art consultants, I talk and teach small workshops, and I occasionally photograph weddings/take portraits. Little things that keep me guessing, keep my growing, and, most importantly, keep me paying my bills.