Critical Bounds Podcast

Conversation with artist and activist Carol Rashawnna Williams on Art and Climate Crisis, the intersections of race and the environment, her work in community building and activism, and the changing face of Seattle.

Tune in to our Very Last Episode in our segment on Connections Between Spiritual and Artistic Practice with Sharon Arnold. Sharon Arnold is an independent scholar, writer, and educator working in arts, philosophy, and cultural histories. They approach this work through the examination of histories, folklore, community ecosystems, and solidarity networks to support new paths forward. Sharon has a BFA from Cornish College of the Arts with a focus on critical theory and cultural criticism; and went on to found Bridge Productions in 2011. They co-teach various drop-in and year long classes at Madrona House Apothecary with founder Vanessa Ainslie; and they are currently in their third year as an adjunct instructor in the art department at Cornish College of the Arts, with an emphasis on the ethics and practicum of curatorial and exhibition-making; as well as integration of research and studio practice. They are currently working on a long term project examining the Pacific Northwest’s regional arts ecosystems, small pieces of which are regularly published on Dimensions Variable. We discuss their work and inspirations in the art world, their latest work learning and teaching about heritage and practices of Indigenous European traditions, our thoughts about Neo-Paganism, and our role as settler colonizers in decolonization (hint: it starts with us), meme-talk, and much more.

Conversation with Kira Wisniewksi, the Executive Director for At+Feminism, a non-profit that addresses the information gap gender, feminism, and the arts on the internet through education, and community-building. We talk about March edit-a-thons, and Kira's other creative work.

A conversation with Negarra A. Kudumu -- "independent scholar, author of the e-book Spiritual Hygiene, and healer working at the intersection of art and healing with a focus on contemporary art from Africa, South Asia, and their respective diasporas as well as African Diasporic knowledge systems. She holds the title of Yayi Nkisi Malongo in the Brama Con Brama lineage of Palo Mayombe; she is a lay person in the Lukumi Pimienta lineage; a practitioner of Espiritismo Cruzado, and a level II Reiki practitioner."

A conversation with interdisciplinary artist and scholar Temar France. We discuss her podcasts Marginalia and The Rap Scholars, upcoming visual art projects, her career in Social Work, our time at Smith College, her Astrology Column at Bloom Magazine, and What is Coming up Next.

A conversation with sculptural, photographic, and performance artist artist Vick Quezada about cultural connections to materiality, growing up on the border of US and Mexico, the longevity of language, and Mestizaje culture. For more information about their work, please visit Vick's website: http://www.vickquezada.com/about.html

Critical Bounds host Nicole Bearden speaks with artist BIBIANA [Medkova] about the role of capitalism and militarization in current events, and how they influence artistic practice. We speak about cultural exchange over time, if queerness in contemporary art upholds traditional gazes, and the consumption of "Othered" bodies for commercialization. For more information on BIBIANA's work, visit their website: https://bibiana.co

A conversation with contemporary artist and UCLA professor Rodrigo Valenzuela about "Borders" in the world of emerging contemporary art. We talk about everything from US visions of Latinx culture to Art Fairs and Biennales. BONUS: Rodrigo talks briefly about his time in Northampton (home of Smith College) Find more about Rodrigo and his work here: http://www.rodrigovalenzuela.com