Acknowledgement:

To all those who are with us, those who came before, and those who are on their way. Special thanks to Melinda and Keitaro for believing.

Context:

Living Archives: "Where We Are and Where We're Going" is a showcase featuring 44 artists at various stages of their careers, curated by four emerging curators as part of Mile 44's annual Art Show. The pop-up nature of the exhibition provides an ephemeral snapshot of the burgeoning creative community, encompassing artists at the outset of their careers, hailing from diverse backgrounds and social identities. Within this snapshot emerges a sense of kinship and community, as connections are forged through artistic expression. The showcase features a diverse array of images, sculptures, paintings, and sounds, from which a hum of connectivity emerges. The gallery begins to exist as a meeting ground that traverses themes of celebration, grief, anxiety, and existentialism.

Archive as Offering: In Los Angeles, there are myriad ways to become lost. It could be amidst intricate social networks, juggling multiple jobs just to exist comfortably, or getting smothered in the algorithmic echoes of systems that perpetuate disparities reminiscent of caste hierarchies. The right to exist, and not just exist, but to express and be remembered for it. "The archivist exists in order to make other people’s work possible, mostly unknown people and possibly working on lines equally unknown to him: some of them perhaps in the quite distant future and upon lines as yet unpredictable. His creed: the Sanctity of Evidence; his task: the Conservation of every scrap of Evidence attaching to the Documents committed to his charge; his aim: to provide, without prejudice or afterthought, for all who wish to know the Means of Knowledge." - Jenkinson (1948) The archive serves as a place of remembrance, much like any art form, as expression exists as a catalog of feelings. It doesn't merely settle in the thoughts of those who have witnessed it, but also in those who will. This frames the archive as an offering, an offering to those now and those in futures. It allows those who stumble across it to recollect and find the kinship and community that was once experienced, to reverberate and bring comfort. It also asserts the belief in a future, a belief in continued existence in the face of anxiety, whether on macro or micro level. This is how the archive serves the one who is remembered, by the simple truth that you are worth remembering.

Blind leading the Blind: The blind curation or juried aspect of the shows allows for work to be seen in the same blank space that blue chip galleries physically embody. Taking the dissociation of identity and experimenting with it as a controlled substance, using ignorance to allow for intuitive approaches in selection and understanding. The absence of this blindness is mistaken for ignorance and sometimes arrogance. Within this stance from outside looking inward, there is something understood. “Yet when an image is presented as a work of art, the way people look at it is affected by a whole series of learnt assumptions about art. Assumptions concerning: Beauty, Truth, Genius, Civilization, Form, Status, Taste, etc….In the end, the art ….is being mystified because a privileged minority is striving to invent a history which can retrospectively justify the role of the ruling classes, and such a justification can no longer make sense in modern terms. And so, inevitably, it mystifies.” Berger, Ways of Seeing As we remove status and its marriage to individualism and identity, we rely on the other senses, heightening everything, withholding identity to more clearly see each other. This hones in on the capacity for radical activations as there are no preliminary wrangling techniques other than the resonance of the work. Almost like an improvisational tool which allows for an orchestra of people and those they bring to compose a unique experience caroled in the same space together.

Lift Every Voice and Sing: With the reintroduction of identity, we add depth to the pieces and string together a stronger narrative of communal emotions - human themes of grief, love, joy, and release. We find parts of ourselves in the stories of others - the breaths between moments of extreme intimacy and extreme celebration, and swells into a hum of party, a mosh pit of identities grabbing to touch each other in seen and unseen ways.

ARTISTS

Alijah, a multidisciplinary artist from Long Beach, CA, explores her fragmented sense of identity and the required performance in daily life through her piece “Triplets."

Andrea Badillo, an interdisciplinary artist, draws inspiration from Dadaism and Assemblage, aiming to provoke reactions from the audience through mark-making and experimentation.

Chidinma Azinge, known as groovychi, creates graceful and whimsical artwork exploring surrealism, inviting viewers to visualize narratives or draw their own conclusions.

Ciara Mendez, a self-taught visual designer, showcases surrealism stemming from transgressional culture, combining photography and collage to depict 21st-century surrealism.

Chris Wooden, a documentary photographer, captures raw and authentic moments, illustrating the essence of life and individuals as they are.

Diego Borgsdorf Fuenzalida, a diasporic Chilean-American weaver, creates tapestries reflecting political subjectivities in post-dictatorship Chile, fostering trans-Pacific partnerships and resisting statist narratives.

Evangeline Miller Schai's work delves into distorted realities, questioning personal identity and artistic expression through emotional and physical exploration.

Finnigen Rynehart, inspired by dreams, translates them onto canvas, finding beauty within darkness, as seen in their piece "Seeing Through The Veil.”

Jazz Oddie, a sculptor, found a passion for clay during the pandemic, creating unique faces and exploring contrasts between beauty and horror.

Justice Jones, a photographer, captures unique moments through their lens, celebrating connections and experiences.

Kim Zaldana, a photographer and illustrator, uses art to explore human emotions, inspiring honesty and vulnerability.

Leila Acevedo, a multi-disciplinary illustrator, explores humanity's nuances through emotion and expression, aiming to create relatable and communal artwork.

Michael Anthony Hall, a multi-disciplinary artist, expands conversations on identity and culture through film photography, capturing transient moments and naturalism.

Olivia Davis , blending fine arts and textile design, embodies blackness, sexuality, and spirituality in her artwork, as seen in their piece "In the dark.”

Rae Bernadette, a non-binary artist, explores work, mundanity, and self-love through oil paintings and comics, creating a tribute to a lost friend in “Helena."

Rhys Langston, through mixed media, challenges identity frameworks, inviting viewers to question interpretation and find shared humanity, destabilizing categories and centering intersubjective understanding.

Simone Quiles, oil painters who depicts figures seeking personal and environmental salvation in a burning world, reflecting on human struggles and attempts at cleansing.

Tiffany Ling Wernik, focusing on excess, explores love, sexuality, and camaraderie in the digital age through visceral and high-contrast artwork, as seen in their piece "Kissing Practice.”

Troy Scat, a painter, celebrates sensuality and empowerment through vibrant portraits, transcending cultural frameworks.

Vera ** , a multimedia artist, explores capability and self-expression through vivid colors and large canvases, as seen in their piece "Sweet Dreams.”

Willie Thomas, inspired by afrofuturism, envisions stories of Black liberation through acrylic, marker, and ceramic art.

Yoshua Bloom, transitioning from music to visual arts, creates colorful and animated paintings reflecting personal history and cultural symbols, serving as a form of communication connecting inner and outer worlds.

Alexandra Gonzalez Alexandra's art is emotive, focusing on evoking moods in her sculptures to give each figure its own personality. Her sculptures reflect aspects of herself, her style, and the influence of loved ones on her creative process.

Celina Holcomb Celina's characters are portraits of her emotions, expressing anger, anxiety from past trauma, and relief. Completing a painting feels like a year's worth of therapy, revealing her subconscious struggles and offering insight into self-improvement. "Nocturne" (2022, 28x36), acrylic, symbolizes humiliation, death, and the recovery of missing parts of herself, with the moth representing protection.

CHRYSALIS Specializing in film and digital photography, CHRYSALIS captures the essence and beauty of subjects while offering a unique perspective. "Chrysalis" portrays the late stages of transition, symbolizing the transformative process of butterflies and reflecting the journey of transgender individuals.

Chris Wooden Chris is a documentary/portrait photographer focusing on authentic moments in black and white film. His work celebrates life and people in their truest forms. "Under the 6th St. Bridge" and "God H8s Cops" capture contrasting moments of a single night, highlighting the essence of a community amidst adversity.

crsh. "Goodbye Bobby" is crsh.'s debut series, shot entirely on 35mm film, exploring vulnerability, duty, acceptance, and emancipation at a funeral. With the blessing of Bobby's mother, these images aim to remind viewers of the preciousness of life and offer solace to those who have experienced loss.

Daria Nagrebelna  Daria's artwork delves into human nature, societal failures, and tragedies through various mediums. In response to the War in Ukraine, she shares personal experiences to spark conversations about shared struggles and the need for empathy. Through portraiture, she portrays powerful individuals in intimate settings, inviting viewers to recognize both strength and vulnerability.

Demetrius Tonéy Demetrius, a Los Angeles-based visual studio artist, specializes in oil painted portraiture. His piece “Club Baby Grand” sheds light on erased moments in black history, connecting blackface acts to modern American clown acts, highlighting the significance of places like "Club Baby Grand" from the Harlem Renaissance.

Elaine Kan Elaine aims to capture moments that inspire hope and gratitude, counterbalancing the hardships of life. "Birth of Venus" challenges societal norms and emphasizes the importance of human connection and empathy, encouraging viewers to recognize fragility and kindness in a tumultuous world.

Jacob Marcelino Jacob's paintings reflect authenticity and raw emotion, serving as extensions of himself rather than creations for an audience. Through abstraction, he explores intricate ideas and layered emotions, inviting viewers on a profound journey of self-reflection and empathy.

Jaustin Tan  Jaustin engages with abstraction to explore complex emotions, using diverse materials to capture the evolving nature of his practice. His work reflects spirituality and the subconscious, inviting viewers to delve into a narrative of empathy and introspection.

Kiana Irene Kiana, a 3D artist and animator, synthesizes human emotion with images of otherworldly beings. “A Deity Called Forgiveness” symbolizes the transcendence of self-forgiveness, capturing the moment of inner peace and acceptance after overcoming internal conflicts.

Leeanna Williams Leeanna's motivation as an artist is to explore humanity's complexities, driven by a desire to provoke introspection and empathy. "Grey Matter" depicts contrasting aspects of her thinking, while "When in Doubt" conveys innocence and wisdom, encouraging viewers to listen to the wisdom of children and confront societal challenges.

Ma'ayan Amit  Ma'ayan explores inner states through black and white photography, utilizing double exposures to delve into shared experiences and emotions. By layering organic and industrial elements over portraiture, she provokes introspection and dialogue, inviting viewers to reflect on the human condition.

Mia O'neal Mia's photography explores femininity, capturing the resilience and beauty of women. Through her work, she aims to challenge societal perceptions and celebrate the strength inherent in femininity.

Natalie Benitez Natalie's art is constantly inspired by music, culture, personal experiences, and emotions. Working with various mediums, she focuses on expressive portraiture, capturing the unique persona and emotions of individuals through captivating eyes.

Troy Scat Troy's paintings celebrate diversity and personhood, challenging conventional frameworks and inviting viewers to interpret their meaning. Through portraiture, he aims to create spaces for reflection and new visions of identity and culture.

Willie Thomas Willie draws inspiration from afrofuturism and fantasy, envisioning stories of Black liberation through his art. By exploring themes of empowerment and resilience, he offers a fresh perspective on the Black experience, fostering hope and optimism for the future.

ATTIC , ATTIC's large acrylic paintings integrate abstraction with architectural and figurative elements, evoking emotional and physical landscapes. Each piece invites viewers to explore duality and locality, fostering a deeper connection with the artwork.

Colby,  Colby sees art as therapy, allowing him to express emotions and experiences freely. Working primarily with spray paint, wood, airbrush, and acrylic, he creates pieces that capture the essence of a moment, reflecting his innermost feelings at the time.

Neil O'loughlin , Neil has been taking photos since 2020 during the pandemic, appreciating the beauty in everyday life. Each image represents a unique perspective, offering viewers a glimpse into the intricacies of the world around them.