Jack Hietpas, Caneliñas, Galicia, Spain: This weekend I explored the abandoned whaling factory of Caneliñas, a four-mile walk from Cee. This facility was used to butcher and process whales up until 1986 — in fact, it was the last whaling factory operating in Europe. There is a strong undercurrent of post-industrial decay running through this part of Spain. Although Cee seems to be thriving (largely thanks to the steady flow of Camino de Santiago pilgrims), dilapidated, vacant structures proliferate in town and in the surrounding countryside, giving it a melancholy feel. This also makes it an endlessly fascinating place to walk around and explore, as you’re constantly coming across the crumbling remnants of obsolete ways of life peeking out from behind thick green curtains of brambles, moss, and ivy.
Julia Gunnison, Brooklyn, NY: I was taking my regular walk in Greenwood Cemetery the other day and chanced upon what is unquestionably the largest leaf pile I have ever seen. As a child I would likely have cried tears of joy at the sight of it, though my adult self also found it to be a beauteous thing to behold. I laid down in it for a bit, which was a gratifying experience. Farewell, autumn!
Jack Tetting, Baltimore, Maryland: Started making a new comic while I had Covid. It’s been a whirlwind lately and I had been feeling very paranoid and withdrawn over the past month or so which is why I haven’t written for a while. I feel really happy though, and my routines of observational drawing a skull and my feet everyday have been a big rock for me. The comic is about a fictional 1,000 year period I have been thinking will come when we finally ruin this place. For all those other traumatized Catholics out there yes that’s where the 1000 comes from. This is the last third of the period called “The Relic Age” which is like the dark ages but with 3d printed cathedrals built by AI programs and a cult of worship around screen technology. The character in this story is a screensayer in training, someone who can communicate and extract information from Relics (anything with a screen basically).
Gillian Waldo, Chicago, IL: Took a trip down to the Art Institute this week to do some archival research and try to shoot the Stock Exchange room. I snuck my Bolex past security, but it was pretty dark, so I don't know that anything will come out. It is a glorious room, though. Designed by Louis Sullivan, it was recreated at the Art Institute after its demolition thanks to the work of John Vinci and Richard Nickel. Now it's mostly used for weddings.
Matt Hietpas, Shorewood, WI: I feel that if I submitted a picture of Lake Michigan every week, it may seem boring, but to me, it shows up in a different way every time I see it. When it is calm and the sun is right, the remnants of the old stone piers show themselves, and I wonder at the stories they could tell. Perhaps it’s the stark cross that is making me feel philosophical, but you have to admit it is beautiful. (Kate - glad you are perking up :) )
Britany Gunderson, Flanders, NY: Here's the Big Duck - located in Long Island, NY. We drove 1.5 hours one way just to see this Big Duck. It's a roadside attraction/gift shop and the woman working inside had been there for 15 years. I bought a souvenir mug and on the back it says, "The Big Duck has become the most famous example of American Roadside Architecture in which 'form follows fantasy'."
Melanie Holterman, Flanders, NY: The Big Duck sits watching over Long Island with a beautiful wreath sash and a festive red eye glare. The Big Duck was moved around several times during its life in Flanders until it was returned to its original location (pictured above)! I hope being moved around so much didn’t create an unstable sense of self in its concrete wooden head.
Aditi Kapoor, London, UK: This past week I had the honor and the privilege to not only meet my favorite artist, but dine with her! Nicole Eisenman has to be one of my favorite painters, if not my most favorite. My boss curated her exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery and I have now visited that exhibition 7 times. It’s weird thing to say, but I’d consider that exhibition my home away from home. I find so much solace in her paintings. I was so perplexed by my own need to see them over and over but someone I’m very close to recently said to me: “It makes sense why you’re into her. So much of her her work is about NYC, and you miss it.” So I guess it’s just that. Her paintings are beautiful and they remind me of New York, and I keep wanting to look at them over and over and over. My boss knew this, so he put me next to Nicole during our Christmas dinner this past week. It was a hard one to impress her but we got there eventually. She started talking about this burger joint in the east village and I almost screamed “SUPERIORITY BURGER?!!!,” to which she delightfully responded “yes”. So we talked about New York, her kids, sex parties at Columbia, standing up for what you believe in—and Palestine. Of all the people in the art world, I have so much respect for all that she is, and all that she stands for. She refuses to budge and will always stand for the under dog, and in this case, will cross whatever boundaries to oppose genocide, including fucking over some of her collectors. She told me how could she not do that? The onus of our global predicament is on us. If we don’t fight— who will? There’s so much more to say, but I’ll keep it short. I don’t think we’re friends yet, but she told me people like us (me and my cohort) give her hope. She told me she’s glad to have met me. I feel lucky. Nicole Eisenman forever.
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