BEINGS IN PROGRESS 

This event is a space to share unfinished works without judgment, for artists seeking a momentary instance of community among strangers. This gathering is intended especially for those who may feel alienated from institutional forms of art critique, are needing structure and routine in practice, and those nurturing projects in a vulnerable stage of needing fresh yet compassionate eyes.

Organized by six emerging media artists, Beings in Progress is an effort to grow our art practices beyond traditional paradigms and institutions that are prone to failure in times of crisis. This event is open to anyone who feels called to participate, and is interested in a communally-shaped creative process.

Co-facilitator Sagan Yee, a games artist and organizer from Canada, will start us off by giving a brief offering of experimental workshop techniques inspired by speculative fiction writers’ circles. We will de-emphasize non-capitalist language (“I’m not sold”, “I don’t buy it”, or “I’m not invested”) and focus on the needs of the artist rather than the demands of the critic, and share work-in-progress in a grassroots, informal setting without the hierarchical biases of an art school crit session.

Next, participants may sign up karaoke-style to take the floor for 5 to 10 minutes. Connect your laptop, or send us your slides in advance. Share something you’re working on, or thinking of working on, or an idea you’ve abandoned but which may hold the seeds of future projects. Feel free to share a finished piece of art, or a burning research question, a call to action, or something else entirely. You may be empowered to ask the group directly for feedback, or just bask in the collective glow of appreciation and encouragement. Non-presenting observers are welcome!

Finally, the room will open for discussion and informal gathering. Light snacks will be provided.

👉🏽 SIGN UP IN ADVANCE: https://forms.gle/MgQCrAnsNKjiunhj9

Facilitators: Sagan Yee and Stamatis Hamouzas

Organizers: Chelly Jin, Rowena Kou, Sadia Quddus, Sagan Yee, Stamatis Hamouzas, and Xiner Lan