Mission:
Recess’ mission is to support the creative process of the contemporary artist by providing a space for productive activity and a platform for a partnership with the public. By offering artists flexible work/exhibition residencies, artists are given agency to determine distinctions between their process and production, controlling the visibility of their work and the parameters of its presentation. Free of charge and open to the public for half of the artists’ work time, Recess facilitates every-day interactions between artists and the public in order to promote the productive space of the working artist as a site of valuable visual and intellectual interactions. Our endeavors foster career development and promote public and critical exposure for the artists we support while fostering a non-alienating environment in which artists and the public can engage in a meaningful exchange of art and ideas.
History:
Recess was formed in May of 2009 to address concerns that the emerging artist cannot afford to live or work in proximity to exhibition communities. Securing a platform to gain visibility and develop creative goals and professional career is often an insurmountable task. In addition, modes of production are changing, and it is the responsibility of contemporary arts institutions to actively respond. Contemporary artwork, rather than existing in traditional forms is often site-specific, performance-based or ephemeral in nature. The traditional gallery space cannot always respond to the interactive, process-based artistic production. The artist’s studio is also changing; no longer bound to conventional space, the studio of the contemporary artist is the street, the gallery, or anywhere the practitioner chooses to work.
Program:
Contemporary artwork, rather than existing in traditional forms is often site-specific, performance-based or ephemeral in nature. The traditional gallery and studio cannot always respond to the interactive, process-based artistic production.
Recess invites resident artists to use free non-living flex space as work space, exhibition space and/or non-traditional performance space. Wednesday through Saturday, Recess is open to the public and free of charge. Artists may engage with their audience in a manner specific to their creative goals, using Recess as a studio, stage, experimental platform.
Artists typically occupy residencies for 3 month periods, and are expected to work on a daily basis or the equivalent of at least 20 hours per week. They receive a small materials stipend. In conversation with Recess curators, artists designate their own work hours and the degree to which they coincide with public hours. Artists may open their doors to present work, to stage performance-based activities, and/or to engage with public audiences while they work.
Visit:
We are located at:
41 Grand Street, Ground Floor
New York, NY 10013
N, R, W, A, C, E to Canal Street
Public Hours:
Wednesday, Thursday 12-6pm
Friday, Saturday 11am-6pm.
Beginning November 6 and continuing through December 5, 2009 Corin Hewitt and Molly McFadden will be performing Double Room Thursday through Saturday from 12-6 pm.
When you visit:
Most resident artists will choose to be present during public hours, connecting with visitors through participatory or performance-based activities. If the artist happens to be absent when the space is open to the public, his/her presence will be implied by the site-specific, workshop environment of his/her work in process.
Press:
Download our most current press release here: Recess Inc. Presents Bruce High Quality Foundation