Project Description

Jamaica Flux: Workspaces & Windows 2016 is a large public art project organized and presented by JCAL, a community-based arts organization in Southeast Queens, NY. Workspaces & Windows 2016 is the fourth iteration of JamaicaFlux , successfully mounted in 2004, 2007, and 2010 by its current Curator/Project Director, Heng Gil Han.

The nineteen commissioned artists and groups include: hannes bend, Adam Brent, Aurora De Armendi, Ayana Evans, Nicholas Fraser, Samantha Holmes, Anna Lise Jensen, Sue Jeong Ka, Kakyoung Lee, Rejin Leys, Shervone Neckles, Jeffrey Allen Price, Dominique Sindayiganza, Stan Squirewell, Thiago Szmrecsanyi, Ed Woodham, and three artist collectives; Ellie Irons and Dan Phiffer, John H. Locke and Joaquin Reyes, and Lily & Honglei.

In addition to these artists, a number of professional writers are commissioned to compose a short article on the new art projects. Their writings will be published in the post-exhibition catalog. The writers include: Sarah Cascone / Kwami Coleman / Raquel De Anda / Sasha Dees / Juliana Driever / Jessica Holmes / Akiko Ichikawa / Serena Jara / Tammy Kim / Paul Laster / Christine Licata / Edward Miller / Bushra Rehman / Kenya Robinson / Seph Rodney / Michelle Woo & Others.

This year, JamaicaFlux is expanding its focus to emphasize public engagement and contemporary art as a vehicle to examine and discuss solutions to critical issues in the community. The finished multidisciplinary and interactive works will be displayed in storefronts, parks, vacant lots, sidewalks, and other spaces in Jamaica, Queens.

Over the next few months, commissioned artists will visit the Jamaica community to gather content and context for their site specific work. They will then create a public artwork or performances based on their research. Areas artists intend to explore include the urban conditions of Jamaica, Queens; public interaction and engagement; community empowerment; environmental concerns and wellness.

The project offers artists resources to help them produce experimental art in public realms, engages community members on ways to combat negative public perceptions of Southeast Queens through art, and creates a forum for discussion on meaningful community involvement. It also increases the public’s access to contemporary art and makes it an important and integral part of daily life in Southeast Queens, NY.

JCAL thanks the members of the selection panel: Rhonda Binda, Kalia Brooks, Heng-Gil Han, Cathy Hung, Andrew M. Manshel, Greg Mays, Simone Price, Juan Carlos Salinas, and Emily Schwartz.

For over 40 years, JCAL has presented and supported the work of emerging artists, women artists, and artists of color in Jamaica, Queens. JCAL has been a cultural resource in the community and to all artists in New York City. Serving over 25,000 people annually, a central part of JCAL’s mission is to encourage participation in the arts and contribute to the cultural enrichment of Queens and the Greater Metropolitan area.

The exhibition’s public programs will be posted and updated on the project’s website: www.jamaicaflux.info.