Statement on June 10, 2020
If it wasn’t for the current pandemic, the opening of this iteration of Justin Lowman’s Windows would take form just like other openings— in person. When we formed The Homer Project, one of the objectives was to live with the work for extended periods of time, a stark opposition to how we commonly consume artwork. Usually it’s a quick run through at a museum or an evening of openings where the work is obstructed by groups of chatting art professionals. But for us to extend that viewing time – to literally see work in different lights – and to let life events influence the reception of that work is extremely important.
We struggled with how to host this opening as we are both immunocompromised at this moment (a pregnancy and an autoimmune illness), and we have closed off the interior of the house to others. We have practiced strict social distancing protocols and have had the assistance of friends with grocery shopping. How can we let people in to view Justin’s piece? Does it go against our ethos of having an open door to others if we currently have it closed? What about our physical and mental health? After initially agreeing to have a limited amount of people in the house at a time, we rescinded. It didn’t feel right to proceed with a normal opening while we were not letting anyone else into our house, and this is our home first and a domestic exhibition space second. This is another example of how the work is impacted by the events lived by the owners and artists.
We look at this virtual opening as a positive event. It still aligns with some of the thoughts and ambitions the artist has been wanting to use in his art, but would not have executed as the opening. It seems fitting now that many of us have been exposed to private domestic spaces during the past few months through zoom meetings and facetime calls. We have seen intimate spaces from viewpoints that even as real life guests we would not experience. As this opening focuses on the bay window for a period of 18 hours, it too gives a paired viewpoint that would otherwise not be experienced.
And at the same time, it would be disingenuous to not mention what is happening in the streets. Bodies who move themselves into public space, then retreat back into their respective homes are still the same bodies. We stand in defense of Black lives and to defund the police. We also believe that as residents in a dwelling set within prescribed council districts, we should all be active in local efforts to push for change. In the coming weeks The Homer Project’s website will include information on city and local politics.
We thank you for taking the time to read this and to view Justin Lowman’s Windows installation. There are many overwhelming events going on at this moment. Please be safe. We are in this together.
Lucia Fabio and Andrew Mueller
We struggled with how to host this opening as we are both immunocompromised at this moment (a pregnancy and an autoimmune illness), and we have closed off the interior of the house to others. We have practiced strict social distancing protocols and have had the assistance of friends with grocery shopping. How can we let people in to view Justin’s piece? Does it go against our ethos of having an open door to others if we currently have it closed? What about our physical and mental health? After initially agreeing to have a limited amount of people in the house at a time, we rescinded. It didn’t feel right to proceed with a normal opening while we were not letting anyone else into our house, and this is our home first and a domestic exhibition space second. This is another example of how the work is impacted by the events lived by the owners and artists.
We look at this virtual opening as a positive event. It still aligns with some of the thoughts and ambitions the artist has been wanting to use in his art, but would not have executed as the opening. It seems fitting now that many of us have been exposed to private domestic spaces during the past few months through zoom meetings and facetime calls. We have seen intimate spaces from viewpoints that even as real life guests we would not experience. As this opening focuses on the bay window for a period of 18 hours, it too gives a paired viewpoint that would otherwise not be experienced.
And at the same time, it would be disingenuous to not mention what is happening in the streets. Bodies who move themselves into public space, then retreat back into their respective homes are still the same bodies. We stand in defense of Black lives and to defund the police. We also believe that as residents in a dwelling set within prescribed council districts, we should all be active in local efforts to push for change. In the coming weeks The Homer Project’s website will include information on city and local politics.
We thank you for taking the time to read this and to view Justin Lowman’s Windows installation. There are many overwhelming events going on at this moment. Please be safe. We are in this together.
Lucia Fabio and Andrew Mueller