Spotlighting sustainability, local community, and resilience, SoMad curated and produced the inaugural Mad World, a multifaceted event that brought artists together to take part in conversations focusing on Planet Earth.
More than 25 people actively put on the event, and the vibes were impeccable across the board. SoMad interviewed sixteen people participating and projected their video interviews on the wall in the back of the raw space. Sharing information and perspectives allowed the audience to think critically about their role in cultivating sustainable practices and opened up new pathways of ideas towards integrating uplifting changes.
SoMad's booth featured tie dyes made in our darkroom, Serichai's archival prints from the flat files, artist books found in our shop made by collaborators, fine art photography by Sara Arno, and propagated plants from our windowsill. Adi Fracchia offered her small batch granola. Keith Lafuente brought handmade upcycled clothing, jewelry made with pewter and seashells and an original print. Lucky Risograph brought a wonderful selection of artist prints sustainably produced at their DUMBO studio. Give & Take put on an amazing workshop with recycled prints from Lucky Riso. All the people at Mad World were invited to craft cards with scissors and glue. David Alperti exhibited whimsical sculptures that had never been on view outside their apartment before. They complimented Julia Blume's sculptures that weaved a naturescape on the wall. Julianne Nash's lenticular print caught the eyes of the passersby and the invasive species work activated the mind. Lorenzo Triburgo and Sarah Van Dyck centered the dye-sublimation print of Venus on the wall. Hannah Villanueva showed her hand tufted designs that featured greek-inspired scenes of nude women dancing, and her soft sculptural mirrors were very much in demand. Tony Saborio assembled a space akin to a tiny living room complete with an upcycled bar cart, a whimsical mirror and matching coffee table, featuring photobooks of his work and pot grinders that he designed. All in all, the vendors were so multifaceted that there was something for everyone.
The night capped with three epic performances starting with Esther the Bipedal Entity, who educated the audience on the history of human activity upsetting the climate. Bibinka Mama enthralled us all with a performance that spanned from Polynesia to Outer Space. JayKay dressed as Captain Planet blew us all away with a very special environmental number. All throughout the event the vibe was kept impeccable by our DJ lineup, starting with Gentlethems, next up Bitchtoria, and closing with Jason Hates You. Thank you all we had such a great time!
Meet the Artists
