Although I tend to think of the new year as starting in late summer/early fall (coinciding with the start of the school year and aligned with the Jewish calendar), the start of 2025 feels like a big deal. I will turn 50 this year and I have now been a professional artist and educator for half of my life.
The first college class I ever taught was in winter session 2000 during my last year of grad school at RISD. When I graduated and moved to Los Angeles, I knew I would teach while making art and figured it would be some combination of teaching kids with Autism, “at-risk youth,” and college students. I have done all of this and more, and for the last sixteen and a half years my administrative role at Otis College of Art and Design has grown significantly, while I continue to teach one or two classes a year - my favorite being Inclusive Collaborations in Disability Arts with students from Otis and ECF Art Center Westside (fall 2024 class pictured on the right). Their end of the semester exhibition, I wanna know what art is. I want you to show me, can be seen until Jan. 19 at Otis.
My career in academia has far exceeded my goals and expectations, sometimes I think to the detriment of my art career. Last academic year (2023-24) I was promoted to full Professor and in addition to my role as Director of Interdisciplinary Studies I was asked to be Acting Chair of Graphic Design and Illustration after the previous Chair left unexpectedly. And this academic year (2024-25) I’ve been asked to take on the Interim Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs role to support the transition of the new Provost and ease the workload of the Dean. Service to Otis College that I am particularly proud of has been being the faculty advisor for the Disabled Students Union and working with the Dean of Student Affairs to support our community as we navigate our mixed responses to the war in Gaza and the US Presidential election. I am grateful to be acknowledged for my capabilities and honored to work within the academic leadership, contributing to this amazing community of artists and designers.
In November, I attended the RISD alumni and parents event at the Hammer Museum. While my friends and I were speaking with president Crystal Williams, she asked us if we were still making art. When it was my turn to respond, I said “yes, while trying to balance that with parenting and growing academic administration roles,” (Not to mention home repairs on the fixer Jeremy and I bought in spring 2023).
I postponed my sabbatical to try out this Assistant Dean thing, but I can’t stop making art - “ART IS A GUARANTY OF SANITY” - Louise Bourgeois.
I work slowly, and simultaneously, on multiple long-term projects across a range of media. I combine strategies of conceptual art, process art, documentary and social practice - but I still think of myself as a sculptor at heart. This work explores personal, social and political relationships. It helps me make sense of the world and connect with others. It helps me stay sane.
Although I haven’t found much time to focus on editing my four-hour, multichannel video installation Dearest Pauline, that I began during my spring 2018 sabbatical, I have found time to work on conceptual textile projects (sometimes while in Zoom meetings) and a few other projects (sometimes blurring art and life).
In 2024…
I updated my NEVER AGAIN design to include Arabic text in response to the Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent war and genocide in Gaza. Christy Roberts Berkowitz bought the original drawing at an auction supporting Palestine. Versions as t-shirts, stickers and tote bags are available through threadless.com. Proceeds go to support Jewish Voice for Peace.
I exhibited two drawings from the series Paul’s Brain in a year long exhibition, Viral Integration, at the UC Irvine's Samueli College of Health Sciences, curated by artist in residence elin o’hara slavic, and I am thrilled to report that these pieces have found a new home in the College's inaugural permanent collection.
I embraced yard work as both exercise and subtractive sculpture.
I cultivated new friends, connections and motivation after joining Netvvrk.
I found satisfaction in deconstruction and reconstruction - both in art making and home repairs.
I continued to make constellations with deconstructed American flags, based on data and statistics about state laws, and began new work using only the flags’ stripes. How can you celebrate at a time like this? (L) was installed as a site specific installation for Nomad III organized by the Torrance Art Museum at Del Amo Crossing in August. A companion piece, Joy is an act of resistance (R), is ready to be exhibited when the opportunity arises.
I accepted that I don’t have to do everything by myself.
I began working with graphic designer, Giovanni Gutierrez, on a book documenting my project “Collaborating with my five/six year old son while social distancing.” Inspired by Mierle Laderman Ukeles’ Maintenance Art Manifesto, and the fact that artist parents cannot have a successful career without a supportive partner and adequate childcare, this book includes all the art Milo and I made together in the first year and a half of the pandemic. I’ll be looking for an art book publisher early this year. (Suggestions and introductions are welcomed).
Back at the RISD alumni event, after I told President Williams what I do, she said “You didn’t ask for advice, but it sounds like you are letting others direct your path.” She implied I should direct my own path. In many ways she is right. So I am keeping that in mind as I plan my goals for 2025 and beyond.
Thanks for reading all this. I haven’t fallen off the face of the earth. I’ve just been in it - too much so to tell you all about it. Follow my instagram if you want to see what I am up to more often; and let me know if you want to visit my studio in my renovated garage at my newish home in El Sereno neighborhood of Los Angeles.
All my best for 2025!
Michele Jaquis