Community Corner
Pattern Recognition
Abstraction, by
definition, has no overt subject matter. However, upon further
inspection, deeper meaning can emerge from art that once appeared random
and devoid of obvious significance. Powerful ideas about spirituality, politics and identity can arise from the deliberate interplay of shape,
color, material and light.
Pattern Recognition presents the
recent work of five emerging artists, Rushern Baker IV, Kimberly Becoat,
Hugo McCloud, Duhirwe Rushemeza and Sam Vernon, whose practices are
largely engaged in abstract painting,
drawing, printmaking, and sculpture. These artists use the freedom of
abstraction to push aesthetic boundaries and to present concepts that
range from the personal to the geo-political. There are several
conceptual parallels amongst the exhibiting artists’ processes,
including the use of found materials and their multidisciplinary studio
practices.
The exhibition’s central theme involves the examination of the natural human desire to find patterns or meaning in the data that surrounds us. Other themes include methods of interpreting
history, consumerism, and the tension between art and
commercialization.
Pattern Recognition - Programs
OPENING RECEPTION
Thursday, July 18
7-10PM | MoCADA
Celebrate the opening of Pattern Recognition. Music by DJ MeLo-X,
Catering by No. 7 and beer lovingly provided by Brooklyn Brewery.
ARTIST TALK
Thursday, July 25
6-8PM | MoCADA
Join us for a conversation with Pattern Recognition’s exhibiting
artists and curator, moderated by arts professional, Larry Ossei-Mensah.
Seating is limited, please arrive early.
TEEN WORKSHOP:
LANDSCAPE COLLAGE
Saturday, August 24
1-4PM | MoCADA
Pattern Recognition artists Samantha Vernon and Rushern Baker will lead
middle-school and high-school aged students in creating abstract and
landscape collage projects. The artists will give an overview of
collage-based works of art and their importance to modern and
contemporary image-making, as well as discuss the importance of collage
in their own practices. RSVP required to morgan@mocada.org.
SOUL OF BROOKLYN WEEK + CONCERT
Saturday, August 17th - Sunday August 25th
Times & locations vary
This August marks MoCADA’s 4th Annual Soul of Brooklyn Week! The
weeklong festival kicks off with a performance by Seattle based,
abstract hip hop collective Shabazz Palaces on August 17th. Celebrate
all things Brooklyn while experiencing performances, art, shopping and
culture of the African Diaspora. Most events are free the public. For a
detailed listing, please visit our website.
POETRY READING & DISCUSSION:
EXPERIMENTATION AND THE BLACK AESTHETIC
Friday, September 13
6:30-8:30PM | MoCADA
Evie Shockley, author of the new black and Renegade Poetics: Black
Aesthetics and Formal Innovation in African American Poetry, will join
celebrated innovative poets LaTasha N. Diggs, John Keene, and Dawn Lundy
Martin for a reading and discussion on craft, language, politics and
the search for a “black aesthetic” in contemporary art. Seating is
limited, please arrive early. Wine will be served and author books will
be available in the MoCADA Shop. $3 contribution.
STUDIO VISIT: HUGO McCLOUD
Friday, September 20
6-7:30PM | Location TBA
Join us for an exclusive tour of Pattern Recognition artist Hugo
McCloud’s Brooklyn art studio! Visitors will get the chance to view
in-progress work and chat with Hugo over drinks about his practice.
Please RSVP required to morgan@mocada.org.
SOUL OF BROOKLYN BLOCK PARTY + CONCERT
Saturday, September 21
2-6PM | Marcus Garvey Blvd between Halsey & Macon Streets
Celebrate all things Brooklyn and catch a live musical performance by
Pegasus Warning, a New York based band that incorporates acoustic and
electronic instrumentation, 8 bit noise, pounding hooves, beating wings,
soulful melodies, and human-machine driven rhythms influenced by
sovereigns of contemporary music. Other musical guest include the
eclectic sounds of Josiah Wise, and Norvis Jr.
TEEN WORKSHOP:
WEARING ABSTRACTION
Saturday, September 21
1-3PM | Soul of Brooklyn Block Party| Marcus Garvey Blvd bt Halsey St & Macon St
In this workshop led by Pattern Recognition artist Kimberly Becoat,
teens will use printmaking techniques to adorn tote bags and T-shirts
with abstract prints! RSVP required to morgan@mocada.org. $3
contribution.
FAMILY WORKSHOP:
POSTER MAKING
Saturday, October 5
1-4PM | MoCADA
Using mixed-media and led by Pattern Recognition artist Duhirwe
Rushemeza, children age 3-10 and their families will translate their
thoughts and emotions into abstract works of art, creating commemorative
posters. RSVP required to morgan@mocada.org. $3 contribution.