Fierce Embrace

Self Portrait

It doesn't interest me if there is one God
Or many gods.
I want to know if you belong -- or feel abandoned;
If you know despair
Or can see it in others.
I want to know
If you are prepared to live in the world
With its harsh need to change you;
If you can look back with firm eyes
Saying "this is where I stand."
I want to know if you know how to melt
Into that fierce heat of living
Falling toward the center of your longing.
I want to know if you are willing
To live day by day
With the consequence of love
And the bitter unwanted passion
Of your sure defeat.
I have been told
In that fierce embrace
Even the gods
Speak of God.

~ David Whyte ~

(Fire in the Earth)

Performing at SXSW.March 15th with BPLF and a set w/DJ Spooky

I am happy to announce that I'll be following DJ Spooky at SXSW March 15th at the MACC. DJ Spooky will join us for the close of our set. I'm the one in purple on the posters:). For more info: http://plutopia.org/headliners/

BLACK PIG LIBERATION FRONT

"Black Pig Liberation Front will present a ritualistic text/sound/body work conceived by Tariq Zayid and Maranda Pleasant called raga erotica, ripped from a longer work experimenting with frequencies and movements associated with shuddering erotic gestures called Orgasmic Oscillations. Our homage to the incomparable Donna Summer.

Utilizing frequencies as specific magical sound pulses to help induce the body in a fertility of text, the delirium of a dancer’s movement, the touch of the person next to you, sound vision flowing between contact. Drone pulse. Monkey Chant.

An attempt to achieve ‘sacred time’ - as Bataille would call the moment of annihilation, ultimate inner experience, metaphorical or actual exchange of fluid, compounds, electrical waves. The impossible — as knowing what is beyond the model-building activity and the model itself does not lie within the scope of representational thought.

It may be that every one of us is set upon the earth to find a new method of divination, a syntax of the heart to locate the center of ourselves in the structure of process. Across sexual platforms, cognitive science, gender, word, scent, movement, and sound to develop a theoretical and philosophical approach responsive to our changing understanding of our selves and our world.

Is it possible to craft a mode of philosophy, ethics, and interpretation that rejects the classic humanist divisions of self and other, mind and body, society and nature, human and animal, organic and technological? Can a new kind of humanities — a post-humanities — respond to the redefinition of humanity’s place in the world by both the technological and the biological or “green” continuum in which the “human” is but one life form among many?

Note: If text/sound/body project works as proposed in prepared setting, becomes ritualistic event. There is the possibility of confirmation. When performed live, microphones will be strategically placed for addition of real time guttural vocal expressions from the participants (there is no audience here, only a communal experience)."

See www.blackpigliberationfront.com for more information.

Houston Art Benefit. National Artists come together to raise funds for AIDS research.

I along with 30+ other nationally recognized artists will be donating pieces for Art4Life in Houston, Texas January 30th. Deborah Colton, Alton LaDay, Carolyn Farb, Les Marks and other prestigious collectors and benefactors will be hosting the event.

A big Thanks to Neiman Marcus, Exxon and New World Museum.

Click invitation to enlarge.

What the silence swallows....

Saying it...

I am saying nothing and I am saying it....
---Nicolas de Oliveira

Creating Space

She disintegrates...
and does not rise from the ashes...

that kind of heat...
shapes
forms
one...into something entirely new

Holding Space

There is no container....

Empty

Empty is the same as full...at a different stage

Last Pick Up Times Available

The gallery will be open this weekend for final pick up and payments. Saturday 3-6pm and Sunday 2-5pm. Please have someone stop by if you can't make it.

Republique

Everyone looked like winter.

How

How we gonna save this...when there are stains on every wall

Hours. Info. Art Pick up and Payment.

Our hours this week for pick up and payment:

Wednesday 16th: 12-3pm

Friday 18th: 12-3pm

Saturday 19th: 11-2pm

Monday 21st: 12-4pm

Tuesday 22nd: 12-2pm

Please swing by or have someone pick up your check/piece during these times.
Please email/ring me with any questions. Maranda 713.922.8584

More More More

Another Huge thanks to the 240 Artists providing more than 700 pieces of art for the largest attended show in Austin. More than 800 peeps packed the gallery for 6+ hours Saturday night. The show runs until Dec.20th. There are 550+ 12x12s still for sale. The perfect Holiday gift :)!
A huge heartfelt thanks to Austin's World of Rentals, Platinum Vodka (a huge hit) and Sweetish Hill Bakery on 6th...and the dynamic Duo pulling it all together: Rockstar event Planner and all-together badass Mariska Nicholson and Caroline Keys, art assistant extraordinaire.



"Such a fierce diversity of styles and colors and permutations for a simple square to accommodate! One show and a helluva party."

--Austin Chronicle Dec.4th 2009

Artistic Logistics

We would like the show to run until December 20th.
Artists may pick up their art at anytime though.

Payment may be picked up anytime after Decemeber 12th.
Artists will need to sign out that payment has been received.
No checks will be mailed.

Please check our website and this blog for detailed times and instructions.

Gallery Times this week:
1-3pm M-F
Wednesday 11-3.15pm
Saturday 12-3
Sunday 2-5pm

We will add more times tomorrow.

You are invited to Become a Fan of Maranda Pleasant Gallery on Facebook and upload any/all photos taken at the show...including your artwork. Please post your name and medium with the photo. My vision is to build a tighter community where we can share, witness, collaborate and connect with other artists mixing all mediums.

Thank you for attending. We had more than 800+ in attendance. Also, Please feel free to post any comments on our gallery's page. What an amazing night. Thank You all. Maranda

Notes to 12x12 Artists

A few quick things for the artists involved:

Please email me if you have not, so I can email you the invite to forward.

Please read all the instructions and website thoroughly before calling or emailing. We are so knee deep in art love prep right now...and with 225 artists now participating...our response time might be slow.

We need 5 people to volunteer the night of show to assist buyers or serve wine (how fun!)

We also need a few photogs to volunteer the night of the show. Video would be great as well!

On Saturday...the night of the show...from 4-6pm will be reserved exclusively for interested buyers and collectors. Artists are encouraged to arrive at 6pm. The show from 6pm-10.30pm...but buyers may purchase and take the art beginning at 6.10pm. So get here early if you want to see/photograph your piece.

How it works: Buyers take the piece off the wall, pay at check out and then have the option to place it back on the wall with a red dot until they are ready to leave. It is a really kinetic active show and it's always a blast.

Drop off is this week 12-3pm and 6-8 pm every day until Thursday at 8pm.

We have 700 peeps RSVP'd and have many sponsors. Thanks for being a part of my community and collective creativity. Welcome to the largest attended art show in Austin all year...come prepared to dance, drink and discuss your work.

In Gratitude, Maranda