08/11/2026
I remember the Tate Modern when it was tiny and thoughtfully curated. It had to be because of its limited size. Now in its department store version, it seems to stutter and miss the mark on some things.
A friend reminded me when she learned I was going that there is a Frida Kahlo exhibit. I said that as much as I respect Frida’s work, it’s time to be spending that energy promoting other artists such as Bruce Connor, not knowing what I was going to be confronted with. This piece was exceptionally Bruce— the silence, explosions, the perspectives from 30 different cameras that he was able to retrieve from declassified material of the Atom Bomb testings in the Pacific, and the score, magnificent in its lulling the viewer to find beauty in the impossible horror.
There are so many artists with nothing to say. And so many more overlooked and important we need to stay engaged in our culture. We need to demand our curators to move forward. For this one experience, the entire visit was worth it.
On that same note:
From Kal Spelletich:
di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art/Napa Railarts District/Action Avenue Projects Performance
I am presenting my Plant Powered Robotic Orchestra at the Action Avenue Projects in Napa, Ca. during the Napa Railarts District 2nd annual Block Party!
On August 29, 2026
The succulent (Sedum Cuspidatum) plays a drum machine.
The Mother-In-Law plant (Dracaena Trifasciata ) plays the cello.
The "vocals" if you will, are performed by the Spider Plant (Chlorophytum cosmosum).
With a guest appearance from a plant from the DiRosa Ats Center! Playing a banjo.
Every plant emits a tiny variable voltage. I attach sensors directly to the plants and harvest that voltage, amplify it and send it to motors triggering my sound orchestra via microcontrollers triggering custom built sound robots.
The audience will be able to interact with the plants changing the speed, pitch and rhythm and the "band"!
The Audience can trigger and change the speed of the instruments by touching the plants.
Performance at 1621 Action Ave. Napa Ca.
The Plants start at 12 noon sharp until 1:00!
There may be sporadic plant generated sounds for a bit after.
https://www.radnapa.org/rad-action-art-fest-2nd-annual/
https://www.instagram.com/actionaveprojects
https://www.dirosaart.org/
This event is curated by Twyla Ruby and Tim Kelly!
In conjunction with Napa Railarts District 2nd annual Block Party, Action Avenue Projects and The Di Rosa.
This is a from my listening to nature series.
https://youtu.be/V6CvRVnbA3o
Capital Culture House
Catherine
