Jackson, WY

Jackson, WY - Center for the Arts is pleased to announce the inaugural Creatives in Residence project, Observatories, curated by Matthew Day Jackson, Camille Obering and Andy Kincaid.

On August 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse will occur in Jackson, WY. The shadow of the eclipse is a point of departure for this program, a point from which we take into account the idea of the silhouette. Jackson Hole and the forms that constitute this place as the "Last of the Old West" maintain a sort of monolithic presence, becoming a silhouette, or shroud, in such a way that its other narratives and meanings become obfuscated. Images and forms that identify Jackson - bronze buffaloes, images of cowboys on bucking broncos, paintings of geysers, wooden sidewalks, to name a few - divert one's understanding of the history of the place away from the other histories that defined and continue to define Jackson Hole and the American West.

Observatories' artists will be installing their work one by one. Glenn Kaino's "Hollow Earth" is now open to the public from 9AM-9PM in The Center Park. The summer-long residency will feature several free, public events including an artist talk with Anna Tsouhlarakis on July 10 from 6-7PM, an opening reception with the artists on August 22 from 5-7PM, and a performance piece by Ati Maier on August 24 at 7PM. More information about Observatories is available at jhcenterforthearts.org/observatories.

“It’s like the development of civilization on the back of a horse,” Matthew Jackson said of the performance. “How the continuation of this form, a horse as a vehicle and how she’s making the tracing of an event that’s the furthest we’ve ever been from Earth. It’s a really nice continuation of that evolvement of civilization.”

Experience Ati Maier's 'Space Rider' performance on Thursday, August 24th at 7PM at the Teton County Fairgrounds. Free & open to the Public.