Show #35:
Julie spoke softly under her long, skinny nose
selections from the Winter 2016 Open Call
Curated by Paulina Bebecka
Director Postmasters Gallery
OPENING: November 3rd, 6-8pm
Dates: November 3rd, 2016 - December 10th, 2016
Hours: Thurs-Sat, 12-6 p.m.
Catalina Ouyang, Nathan Skiles, Sachiko Akiyama + Rick Fox, Jayson Bimber, Amber Boardman, Margarida Correia, Julie Curtiss, Alexandra Evans, Scott Everingham, Nicasio Fernandez, Benjamin Lankton, Danielle Eliska Lyle, Shona McAndrew, Rebecca Ness, Kyle Petreycik, Cecilia Schmidt, Stacy Scibelli, Brian Sparrow
Field Projects is pleased to present Julie spoke softly under her long skinny nose, curated from Field Projects’ recent open call by guest curator, Paulina Bebecka, Director of Postmasters Gallery. The exhibition features works by Sachiko Akiyama, Jayson Bimber, Amber Boardman, Margarida Correia, Julie Curtiss, Alexandra Evans, Scott Everingham, Nicasio Fernandez, Benjamin Lankton, Danielle Eliska Lyle, Shona McAndrew, Rebecca Ness, Catalina Ouyang, Kyle Petreycik, Cecilia Schmidt, Stacy Scibelli, Nathan Skiles, and Brian Sparrow.
Julie spoke softly under her long skinny nose.
What is he saying? Julie said softly under her long skinny nose. No clue. She was already tired. Tired and old. Memories of her young hopes have past and gone, only lingering about like a fleeting yet persistent stench of rot. And now this idiot on the television irritating her with complete nonsense! She would have a field day if she met him in person! That will never happen. He doesn’t know or care that she exists.
Julie’s brain is completely intact. Clear. Sharp. Full of plots and intrigues. Only tired. Tired of remembering to take the meds. Tired of feeding herself. Tired of having no one to speak to except the telephone company’s customer service rep, Janice, who is always pleasant. They talk occasionally. Julie always remembers to dial in; once a month actually. Janice always tells Julie about her three kids. It is a relief, a temporary one, but still a deep relief that there is a connection with a real live someone in Julie's steadily depreciating life. The television doesn’t talk back.
Julie’s body is decrepit. That is where the stench comes from. The nurse comes in once a week with a sterile smile and strong arms. Julie doesn’t trust him. No, no. He once dared to ask her about her family! She pretended not to remember so she wouldn’t have to answer. But he helps her clean herself. He helps so she lets him in her apartment. Reluctantly. The lady in the hospital said she must listen to him. He is kind but she still doesn’t trust him and won't listen to him. He looks too much like her second husband, her greatest love-- the guy who she thought was so impressive but who turned out to be the biggest disaster of her life. He took and he lost everything of hers: Her house, her horses, her hopes. And he lost himself. If only they had lived somewhere else, away from poker and booze, if only she had been able to hold him tighter. If only she…she tortured herself with undeserved guilt. But he isn't there. No one is. She is alone already for over thirty years. If only she knew she wasn’t the only one suffering from loneliness. If only she knew she is surrounded by it. But she doesn't care much anymore. The idiot on TV entertains her basically. She wonders though how long it will take the nurse to find her smelly lifeless body after the day comes she finally parts from this lonely existence. How long will it take Janice to notice?
About the curator
Paulina Bebecka is a New York City based an independent curator, director of Postmasters Gallery and co-founder of +ArtApp. Outside of the last 80 shows at Postmasters, Bebecka has also worked on over 40 contemporary art projects with institutions such as MoMA, The New Museum, Performa, ICP, Times Square Alliance, CUNY Segal Theatre, Socrates Sculpture Park, MoMA PS1, AICA, Public Art Fund, and The NYC Department of Parks and Recreation.
Image: Shona McAndrew, Looking, Ink Jet print, 18 x 24"
