Be Not Still

di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art’s landmark exhibition Be Not Still: Living in Uncertain Times will take on a completely new look as Part 2 is revealed on June 23. The second installment of the two-part exhibition, on view through December 30, 2018, continues Be Not Still’s experimental blend of new art commissions and works from the permanent collection, with new projects by a fresh roster of Bay Area artists—Victor Cartagena, Ranu Mukherjee, Lava Thomas, and Lexa Walsh—each exploring a topic of their choice in response to the present sociopolitical climate.

Be Not Still is an institution-wide initiative to support the production of new work while bringing new dynamism to di Rosa’s comprehensive collection of Northern California art. Participating artists were selected based on their social practices and Bay Area roots and commissioned to identify and respond to a topic inspired by the contemporary moment.

“The prescient topics addressed through this exhibition are essential to grappling with our tumultuous here and now,” Curator Amy Owen said. “It underscores the important role living artists play in examining the aesthetic, intersectional, and real-world potential of art and culture to confront social and political challenges.”

Part 1 (January 27–May 27, 2018) featured projects by authors Dodie Bellamy and Kevin Killian, and artists Ala Ebtekar, Rigo 23, and Allison Smith addressing topics of surveillance, citizenship, American exceptionalism, and the rise of white nationalism, respectively.

Part 2 presents a new lineup of artists and projects:

Victor Cartagena addresses immigration through a multimedia installation referencing the lives of those who live in the shadows and the oppression their communities face. Lending them visibility as an act of protest, Cartagena highlights their resilience and courage amidst contemporary politics.

Ranu Mukherjee explores the topic of health and how societal events impact our wellbeing—including the relationship between humans and the planet as a whole—through a multi-faceted installation combining choreography, animation, line, and color. Mukherjee’s project includes the production of a new film shot at di Rosa in collaboration with Hope Mohr Dance responding to the 2017 wildfires.

Lava Thomas engages the topic of solidarity through a dynamic installation comprised of hundreds of suspended pink tambourines covered with various media. The instruments serve as a metaphor for praise and protest while their immersive tethering is emblematic of the power of collective resilience and hope.

Lexa Walsh responds to the notion of assembly through a presentation of works from di Rosa’s collection. Focusing largely on figurative pieces, Walsh references events like marches, vigils, rituals, and protests through creative groupings of the objects on the walls and gallery floor.

“These artist-led projects speak to the power art has to inspire change, collaboration, and consideration, but the biggest takeaway is that of resiliency,” Assistant Curator Kara Q. Smith said. “This characteristic resonates not just with the practice of being an artist in the Bay Area, but also reflects what it means for a community or individual in today’s world.”

The dialogue of the exhibition is furthered through an extensive programs and partnerships component led by Andrea Saenz Williams, director of education and civic engagement. Programs include tea talks with Walsh, a panel discussion with Cartagena, a participatory dance performance with Mukherjee, and a civic-minded interactive program with Thomas, as well as a chamber music performance inspired by the exhibition for Music In the Vineyards in August. Additionally, di Rosa is partnering with several community-based organizations throughout the region, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of Napa Valley.

“The value of this two-part exhibition is that it allows more voices to partake in the conversation about the concerns of our time, and in that process, further demonstrate why art matters,” Executive Director Robert Sain said. “For di Rosa this is essential to our quest to be a blueprint for a 21st century arts organization that has relevance and impact.”

Be Not Still: Living in Uncertain Times Part 2 is on view June 23–December 30, 2018, at di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art (5200 Sonoma Highway, Napa). Opening Reception: June 30, 5-7pm. Major support for Part 2 is provided by Wanda Kownacki. Additional support is provided by the di Rosa Patrons Circle. Visit dirosaart.org for more information, including exhibition-related programs.

About di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art
di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art presents contemporary exhibitions and educational programs for all ages and maintains a permanent collection of notable works by artists living or working in the San Francisco Bay Area from the mid-20th century to the present day. A wide range of styles, media, and subject matter provides an overview of the creative energy and freedom to experiment that characterize this region of California. Protected in perpetuity under the Napa County Land Trust, di Rosa features multiple galleries, a sculpture park, and a 35-acre lake, all located on 217 scenic acres in Napa Valley’s famed Carneros region. For more information, visit dirosaart.org.

Contact
For images and interview requests, contact Stephanie King, stephanie@dirosaart.org.