Katherine Ramos' "The Deep and Savage Road" at LITM

   Open now at the LITM bar and art gallery in Jersey City, and just in time for Halloween, "The Deep and Savage Road" by Brooklyn-based artist Katherine Ramos, takes us through a haunted story of curiosity and fascination with the occult that is, of course, an ill-fated adventure.

 

    Consisting of several individual illustrations that frequently double as artifacts for Katherine’s story, she and her three protagonists innocently ask us to join their adventure and allow our own curiosity to lure us in. Like watching a horror movie, that is, through fingers covering our face, we join this journey knowing full well what the consequences will be, but persuaded by our innocent naivety that it’s just all in good fun; much like an Ouija board. Surely these “artifacts," are just trinkets, right? Not the sort of ingredients used for a witch’s brew or to open the hell mouth.

    It is that we take this journey together, however, that gives us the courage to push forward. After all, it is the willingness to take a risk that leads towards reward, and the promise that those whom you have trusted to bring with you will never lead you astray; like Virgil accompanying Dante into the inferno. Will the suffering be worth it, or will it warp you into something sinister? Will your companions be enough to keep you safe? The inscription did, after all, read “Abandon hope all ye who enter here.”

 

    Through the use of inks and flat colors, Katherine is able to convey a desolate tale that evokes a true sense of nightmare. A flash of highlights on a face or a moment we wish we had never seen.

    If you haven't yet, I strongly suggest you stop at LITM the next time you're on Newark Ave. in Jersey City, grab yourself a drink, and allow your curiosity to get the better of you.

    Originally from San Diego, Katherine Ramos is a Brooklyn-based illustrator and artist. Her illustrations have appeared in Double X, The New Yorker, and io9 (and now on the IZ website! How exciting!).

_gaia Studios 10th Anniversary Countdown: Wonder Woman I: Subconscious Hero

 

WWI: Subconscious Hero, A Wonder Women Project exhibition at the Jersey City Free Public Library
(March 30th - June 23rd, 2006)

The work in this exhibition was the result of a unique artist residency which began on March 26th, 2006. Seven artists were invited to meet weekly at _gaia studio to discuss current social issues and to explore the topics brought forth in our artistic practice. The artists and curators would first participate in critical discussion, followed by the presentation of works in progress and group critique. It was intended that in this deep mindfulness with honest dialogue about social change, gender issues, and the social and political status of the world, art would become the truest expression of ourselves relating to a shared dialogue.

 

See the full gallery on Posterous

See the full gallery on Posterous

See the full gallery on Posterous

This first artist residency goes on to evolve into several more, different Wonder Woman projects spreading throughout New Jersey, Brooklyn, and even the Mediterreanean!

Want to check out Jersey City's Public Library? We think you should! 

(source: http://gaiastudio.org)

-Narciso

MAD's Take on Apple Maps

Does everyone get the joke?

MAD Magazine's take on the classic Saul Steinberg New Yorker cover should give you a chuckle. While none of the IZ crew have an iPhone 5 (that we know of), word gets around pretty quickly. And here, just in case you don't know what the original looks like.

(source: MAD)

 

-Narciso

_gaia Studios 10th Anniversary Countdown: Code Pink

By Doris Caçoilo

In 2003 _gaia marched in DC with Code Pink!

_gaia marched with Code Pink in Washington DC and New York against the war in Iraq during various protests. They spent the next several years marching against the war and in several marches for women's rights including the March For Women's lives in Washington DC on the capital in 2004. _gaia felt strongly that the war was unjust and unnecessary and it would especially hurt women and children severely.

See the full gallery on Posterous

 

_gaia feels strongly that women's rights are enormously critical in a healthy society. Women's rights are everyone's issue. If women are respected and trusted to make decisions for themselves and their families - everyone benefits. _gaia continues to support the advocacy of women's issues.

http://gaiastudio.org

 

-Narciso

_gaia Studios 10th Anniversary Countdown

Ten years of anything is always a time to celebrate. Ten years of women artists and activists creating art, events, and opportunities in visual and media arts, performance, and design is a pretty big deal. 

 

Instigatorzine is celebrating ten years of _gaia Studios by highlighting events throughout its distinguished decade in operation, all leading up to the _gaia Gala at City Hall in Jersey City.

 

Come back each day for some interesting facts, funnies, and milestones in _gaia Studios history! For now, here's a bit about _gaia's founders: Doris Caçoilo and Amie Figueiredo.

 

_gaia was founded in 2002 by Amie Figueiredo and Doris Caçoilo. Long time friends and activists, they brought together a group of women to begin organizing around women’s issues, activism and supporting local artists. _gaia has grown to have a long list of accomplished programs and events as well as a large group of supporters, artists and volunteers.

gaiastudio.org

 

-Narciso