I’ve been back in Philly for a few weeks now and still pondering some of the ideas, people and art I was introduced to at Kolaj Fest, New Orleans. Kolaj Fest is organized by The Kolaj Institute and is fairly new to the art conference scene, with it’s inaugural event held in 2018. Because of Covid, only four conferences have been held between it’s first and this year’s event. Just like a good collage, there are many layers to this event, a lot of growth that has taken place and much more to come–an acceleration in interest in this conference and collage as a whole is trending – it’s a work in progress with only positive vibes all around. I really got the sense that I was a part of something truly exciting, that the artists weren’t there to only talk about and promote themselves, we were there to create something new as a community and that’s what it’s all about.
I would love to write about the conference and highlight all its goodness, but there isn’t enough time or room on my computer. You can read about all of the past conferences and events, 2018-present, read the full program books and see images here and on Instagram at #kolajfest here. Read on for my most memorable take aways as a Kolaj Fest first timer and scroll down to see a couple of the quickie collages I made during some of the presentations from the scraps on the collage tables. I also added a selection of photos from my vast, ever-growing collection of urban surfaces of my city and travels (also collages, in a sense), including New Orleans. I do hope you will consider joining me in NOLA for Kolaj Fest, 2024!!
Community As I mentioned, the one thing that stands out about this conference is the desire to build a community. If you’ve been to any art related conference, you might argue that community building is what they all strive to do. While that may be true, I found that I truly felt that community was at the forefront in the design of the symposiums, demonstrations and workshops, whereas I can’t say that about most conferences I’ve attended. Almost everything at Kolaj Fest is set up for sharing in the way of dialogue, trading and making something happen together. I got the feeling that even as the conference came to end on it’s last day, it really wasn’t ending in the true sense. There is a continuance that is taking place within the community until the next conference. That’s why it’s called a movement, the community is always advancing toward the goal. It’s a way of life for the organizers and participants and it doesn’t go away after one weekend spent together in New Orleans.
When I walked into the main presentation room on the first day, I was so pleasantly surprised to see tables set up along the sides of the main audience. It was morning, I was a little late and a little groggy, but I soon realized those seated at the tables were all busy cutting, gluing, looking through magazines and books for images. Omg….they were making stuff….while presenters were speaking! I then noticed that there was a table with a huge box of books/magazines, glue sticks, paper, scissors, exacto knives-I was suddenly in collage heaven. I’m the type of person who listens better when my hands are doing something, usually surreptitiously drawing in my sketchbook during lectures and presentations. But here, I could just make whatever I wanted right out in the open. All this realization happening in my mind at once, I just smiled inside…I had finally found my people.
You might think that all of this collaging might be distracting to the presentation, but it really wasn’t. Everyone was respectfully listening and doing, quietly and minimally conversing while trading images, tools, etc. I’m such an art geek that for me, the best part about these group collage tables was seeing how everyone carried their portable collage materials, what kind of scissors or glue they used and what their favorite magazines were. In fact, I got a great recommendation for a fabulous pair of scissors from a wonderful woman, Natalie Schorr (@natalieschorrart), who sat next to me at one of the collage tables. If every art related conference did this, imagine the attendance records!
Elevating Collage Lets face it, even though collage holds a dramatic place in the development of abstraction, among many other art movements, it doesn’t seem to have achieved the respect it deserves from the art world at large. The exploration of why this bias exists is a topic I’m working on for another blog post, but the point is that it’s there. The main focus of this conference is to elevate collage, to educate, to speak of it’s diverse history in painting, politics, book-making, design, sculpture, etc. It’s a movement that is gaining ground and I’m so happy to be a part of it.
Through all of the talks and presentations at Kolaj Fest, I started to think about where my own work fits into all of this. I have reacted to the trauma of the world’s response to Covid by going through a bit of a transition in my work…a really long one. One could say my work is ‘all over the place’. In fact, several people have said those exact words and I didn’t take it well. I realized it’s not all over the place, the series may all look different, but it’s all under the umbrella of collage, adhering little bits together to make a bigger bit. (Again, the subject for another blog post:)) This concept (gestalt) is what my work has always been about, I even wrote a section in my grad thesis paper about it. In the last decade, I have unfortunately forgotten the importance of the meaning of collage as it pertains to my work. Once I remembered this, I relaxed and took an easy breath…my work and me as an artist both have a place. If it weren’t for this conference and the thought provoking discussion, I wouldn’t have had this very important personal realization.
NOLA If you’ve visited New Orleans, you will totally understand why it makes so much sense that a collage conference be held here. As most urban environments are, NOLA is a collage itself…made up of fascinating history, diversity in thought, language, people, sound (music), terrain, weather…even the streets, architecture and design of the city is a collage.
I’ve been to NOLA a few times since I first visited in 2013 to help rebuild Katrina houses. I taught a private workshop there, as well as co-taught an encaustic retreat with a good friend who lives there. Each time I visit, the experience grows exponentially in that it becomes a part of me and I can’t wait to return. There is no other place on earth like it and for me, there is truly no other place that I react to so strongly except the desert.
I was just reminded of this quote from Richard Bienvenu that says it best…
New Orleans is one of the most magical cities in the world. There is something about this city that has a tendency to take hold of you and won’t let go….For many people who move away they are drawn back by something intangible. There is a spirit and deep sense of belonging that the city seems to invoke.
I’m not going to say that being in NOLA in June wasn’t uncomfortable heat, but the meaning of this conference was greatly augmented by it being held here and I really couldn’t see it being as great a success if it were held in any other city.
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