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Press Release January 2002
theARTproject
Artists Respond
to Terrorism
a virtual exhibition: www.theartproject.net
Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, many questions
have been raised concerning the role of art in these times.
Responses have run the gamut from: there being a need for the
"healing nature" of art to the concept that: the
distance of time is necessary to create anything of consequence.
You are invited to experience theARTproject
and form your own conclusions.
theARTproject speaks
through images not words. It was launched on 9/26/01 by Nina
Meledandri, a painter living and working ½ mile from the
site. Sharing the overwhelming desire experienced by millions
to be part of the recovery effort and inspired by the outpouring of
written reactions posted on the web, Meledandri created a forum for
visual artists to share their personal responses to the tragedy.
To date, over 125 artists have contributed work to theARTproject;
work that ranges from traditional media (painting, drawing,
photography, sculpture) to web art, video and communal projects.
theARTproject is
divided into three sections: the exhibition,
discussions
I: an ongoing journal and discussion
II: an on-line forum
the exhibition
consists of thumbnails (linked to larger images) of work contributed,
posted chronologically as they are received. This format offers
the possibility of discovering whether or not there is a general
shift in the nature of the response over time. One can also
browse the site through an alphabetical listing of participating
artists who have the option to include on their page, a personal
statement and/or links to other sites.
discussion
I: an ongoing journal allows
participating artists to continue to contribute work, created in
response to 9/11, to theARTproject.
This section is organized alphabetically so that images can be seen
in context of each artist's vision
discussion II:
an on-line forum is itself a web based
project. Borrowing from the tradition of mail art, it
duplicates the concept of an on-line discussion, with
"threads" created through images instead of words.
Artists submit an image in response to one exhibited on theARTproject
and the work is posted with the referenced image, eventually creating
an image web that will extend beyond the theARTproject itself.
We hope you will visit theARTproject
and will keep it in mind for any upcoming projects addressing the
role of art in the aftermath of 9/11.
Some comments received by theARTproject:
(theArtProject has) provided a wonderful way for
artists to share their feelings about something that makes very
little sense to any of us.
(I view theArtProject) as a means of healing and
re-directing otherwise negative feelings for many people out there
who share a love for art and feel compelled to say something
important at this juncture in our history.
The site looks amazing and I keep returning to witness
the work, energy, and emotion of the participating artists.
this web site is an exciting experience ... to see so
much good work with so much feeling is very reassuring to me
personally. (theArtProject) has provided me with a dialog and feeling
which is otherwise unavailable .... thank you very much
thank you for having this web site for people like me
who want to express their grief in some way&ldots; it is truly needed!
(theARTproject is) doing humanity a great service and
I appreciate that. I visit the site often to appreciate the art made
by such caring, creative, and thoughtful individuals.
For further information, contact Nina Meledandri: 212-431-1663/[email protected]
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