Frankie Sharp, Rob Roth, Secret Project Robot, and Xtapussy are Named FUN Fellows
THE FUN Compiles Profiles of NYC Nightlife Artists into a Publication, Essays by Michael Musto and Claire Bishop
New York, NY (April 19, 2013)
THE FUN Fellowship was established in 2011 by the Museum of Arts and Design in recognition of the vital role nightlife practitioners play in the city’s creative community and artistic endeavors. Now in its third year, THE FUN provides four artists or artist collaboratives with financial and logistical support to help them advance and realize their latest nightlife-related projects. MAD is proud to announce that this year’s FUN Fellows are Frankie Sharp, Rob Roth, Secret Project Robot, and Xtapussy. To celebrate the third anniversary of THE FUN, MAD and powerHouse books will publish a historical compilation of New York City nightlife, THE FUN: The Social Practice of Nightlife in NYC.
The FUN Fellows were identified through a competitive process. MAD invited 75 individuals from the art and nightlife communities to each nominate a candidate. From this group, 10 individuals and collaboratives were selected as semi-finalists by a collection of their peers, and the winners were chosen by a jury comprised of curators, nightlife luminaries, critics, and previous FUN Fellows.
This year, THE FUN Fellowship also presents its first publication on New York City nightlife. Highlighting over 30 New York City-based artists working in the social practice of nightlife, including past fellowship recipients, THE FUN: The Social Practice of Nightlife in NYC will include essays and other writings from icons of nightlife including Michael Musto and Claire Bishop. Artists to be featured in the publication include #TOP8Friends, Sophia Lamar, Desi Santiago, Secret Project Robot, Suzanne Bartsch, Silent Barn, Ladyfag, and Frankie Sharp. THE FUN: The Social Practice of Nightlife in NYC will explore the immense impact of nightlife on New York City, art, performance, and social gatherings. The publication will be published by MAD with powerHouse books.
“We are excited to work with powerHouse books on this publication—the first of its kind. Growing from the impact and success of the first three years of THE FUN fellowship, this publication will help grow the discourse around nightlife and bring international awareness to the vibrant variety of nightlife practitioners working in New York City today,” says Jake Yuzna, MAD’s Manager of Public Programs and founder of THE FUN Fellowship. “The book and the 2013 fellows continue to prove that nightlife in New York City is alive and flourishing.”
THE ARTISTS AND THEIR PROJECTS
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
THE FUN is organized by Jake Yuzna, Manager of Public Programs.
Full line up will be presented on the Museum of Arts and Design’s website at http://madmuseum.org/series/fun-fellowship.
ABOUT THE PUBLICATION
THE FUN: The Social Practice of Nightlife, approximately 300 pages will include essays by Michael Musto and Claire Bishop that position nightlife as a centuries-old arts practice that has been largely marginalized or ignored by the fine arts sector. Published by the Museum of Arts and Design and powerHouse Books, it will include profiles of about 30 artists from different eras of New York City nightlife, including #TOP8 Friends, Dances of Vice, FCKNLZ, JUDY, Lauren Devine and Patrick Sandberg, Rob Roth, Sophia Lamar, Woahmone, Xtapussy, CHERYL, Desi Santiago, Pendu Disco, S!CK, Secret Project Robot, SPANK, Spectrum, The Ho_se, Gag!, Suzanne Bartsch, Earl Dax, Silent Barn, Ladyfag, and Frankie Sharp. The book will be published in November 2013.
ABOUT THE MUSEUM OF ARTS AND DESIGN
The Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) explores the intersection of art, craft, and design today, through exhibitions and programs focusing on contemporary creation, materials, and processes, from handmade to digital. A dynamic roster of public programs engages visitors in the creative process, including open studios, workshops, tours, and master classes. Lectures, films, performances, and symposia related to the Museum’s collection and current topics in the world of contemporary art, craft, and design are held in MAD’s 144-seat auditorium.
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