May 2018
“Coney Island in El Barrio, Fallen Heroin”
El Barrio’s Artspace PS109, 215 east 99th Street, New York, NY, 10029
Gallery Hours: Monday – Sunday 12PM – 5PM
El Barrio’s Artspace PS109 is proud to present Coney Island in El Barrio-Fallen Heroin, a multimedia installation by Berdscarnival. The exhibition is composed of “strategies”, sculptural combines of found materials, abandoned objects, video projections and “live impromptu sketches”. Berdscarnival proposes an innovative approach to art-making where recycled materials, the improvised use of studio space, and a deep concern for social strife come together in a minimal and raw carnival of provocations. The project also debuts the Coney Island In Artist Residency Program, the ¨sideshow¨ in the piece that highlights the work of New York artist, Bryan Pettigrew. The residency program is an autonomous means of supporting artists all the while keeping the history Coney Island in motion.
Pulling from a synthesis of inspirations that include Coney Island, current social issues, film noir and Franz Kafka, Berdscarnival brings attention to the alarming issue of the housing crisis in NYC through subtle, whimsical sculpture, sound and film projections.
The first large scale installation since the culmination of her thesis exhibit at Pratt Institute in 2010, From Coney Island to El Barrio-Fallen Heroin is a study of the American Dream in the 21st Century, an illusion that leads to one’s own disillusionment and delusions.
Originally from Lubbock, Texas, Berdscarnival has lived and worked in New York since 2008. After graduating from Pratt Institute in 2010 she became involved with the Occupy Wall Street Movement and worked closely with Occupy Museums. Their advocacy took them as far as the Berlin Biennale in 2012. The artist then took her studio practice to the streets, calling attention to issues such as the student debt crisis and economic class struggle. Inspired by Debt Fair (a project launched by Occupy Museums) she created the Debt Doll Project in 2014. In 2015 the artist launched, Magic Machine Artist Residency at Coney Island. There, she researched and worked closely with the local community from a game trailer.
Coney Island in El Barrio-Fallen Heroin responds to a situation of impotence and anger due to an economic crisis and the moral deterioration of a country that calls itself the greatest country on earth. Berdscarnival is committed to shifting our perspective and calling attention to social issues through subtle and satirical provocations.
The making of Coney Island In El Barrio and fundraising tactics
Being self sufficient and being able to fund my larger projects has always been important to me. Check out my Indiegogo fundraiser below.
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/coney-island-in-el-barrio-fallen-heroin/x/11153095#/
What the funding helped with:
Strategies installed at El Barrio’s Artspace PS109
Video footage of “Coney Island in El Barrio” installed at ArtSpace PS109
Opening Night at Coney Island in El Barrio, Fallen Heroin, 2018
Chazz Sanchez the barker! (Video credit, Emily Sanchez)
Coney Island In Artist Residency Program
(click on the link above for more information about the residency program)
The ¨sideshow¨ in the piece that highlights the work of New York artist, Bryan Pettigrew. The residency program is an autonomous means of supporting artists all the while keeping the history Coney Island in motion.
Breaking down the Strategies
Gifts for my Indiegogo supporters
Thank you to all the many supporters of the Coney Island in El Barrio, Fallen Heroin project. This project is still evolving conceptually, stay tuned.
List of people I want to thank
- The community of El Barrio
- Everyone who contributed to my IndieGogo fundraiser
- Maura Falfan
- Olumide (video editor)
- Cristobal Vivar
- Marie Roberts
- Noah Fischer
- Gordon Lee and El Dorado Bump Your Ass Off Bumper Cars at Coney Island
- Noosa Yogurt
- Coney Island Brewing Company
- Everyone who visited and helped with the show
Great website Berdscarnival. I love it!