There are a few more opportunities to see the recent work “The Weight We Carry” by Xavier Tavera. This installation is at Northeast Sculpture|Gallery Factory, in the Factory building behind Casket Arts, 681 17th Ave. NE. Regular hours are Thursdays, Fridays and Saurdays noon-5 p.m. through Saturday, Oct. 10.
There will be a closing event Friday, Oct. 9 from 7-9 p.m. with social distancing, masks and frequent sanitizing. A bonfire in the quad and live music on the loading dock curated by Philippe Gallandat includes these artists: at 7:00 Will Tucker, 7:20 Christine LeVahn, 7:40 Philippe Gallandat, 8:00 Kaity Joan, 8:20 Wayne Burgess, 8:40 Drew Selnes and Bella Ciao! @ 9:00 p.m. Dress for the weather.
To make a private appointment: northeastsculpture@gmail.com or 612-743-6664.
Artist Statement: “In ambiguous times, a solid mass weighing heavily provokes uncertainty, and a lightness of debris emanating from burned buildings dissipate hope. The aggressiveness of barricades, tear gas canisters and the assortment of rubble become artifacts gathered in the aftermath to bear witness to actions and stories.
“The 6” x 6” x 6” concrete cubes were fabricated as a small gesture, a personal and collective imposition. The mass of the weight conceals the dust from the streets of South Minneapolis, debris from the burnt buildings, water from Bdote (the junction where two rivers come together), granite from the pedestal of the dislodged Columbus statue in Saint Paul, sand from Fort Snelling, sweat from labor, items made by an undocumented youth, combined with a touch of personal domestic items.
“For me, the absurdity of the labor to construct these blocks helped establish order and create normalcy during the instability. They bear witness to matters of personal and historical importance that should not be forgotten.” —Xavier Tavera
Below: “The Weight We Carry” (Photo by Margo Ashmore)