collaborating in the Forêt Intérieure/Interior Forest

Forêt Intérieure/Interior Forest is a multi-faceted project by Los Angeles-based artist Alexandra Grant encompassing a series of public drawing sessions, reading groups, artist collaborations and an installation at 18th Street Arts Center. Co-curated by Pilar Tompkins Rivas and Isabelle Le Normand, this work premiers in Santa Monica and is presented at Mains d’Oeuvres in Saint-Ouen, France this fall.

Based on an ongoing exchange with the iconic French author, poet, playwright and philosopher Hélène Cixous, Grant focuses on Cixous’ book Philippines as a source for imagery, centering on the repeating thematic of the forest as a profound shared space. Drifting between a real and an imagined place, the forest becomes a site for communion with what Cixous terms “the perfect Other.”

Annelie McKenzie and I are collaborating in creating a visiting tree in a forest installation at 18th Street Art Center. Other artists participating in the project: Channing Hansen, Bari Ziperstein, Lita Albuquerque, Renee Petropoulous, Steve Roden, Audrey Cottin and Frances Garretson.

April 15th - June 28th, 2013
18th Street Art Center1639 18th Street
Opening Reception: 
June 1st, 2013

Public Drawing Sessions:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 11-3pm

for more information:
foretinterieureinteriorforest.wordpress.com

images from top: the load  of materials Annelie and I brought to the space on our first work day about 3 weeks ago, a view of the forest the first week, a view of the forest the second week, a view of the forest the third week, and a detail of the tree Annelie and I are working on together, hearts and all.