It's Not Us, It's You: The art of rejection at SJ ICA

March 19, 11:06 AMSF Art ExaminerMarisa Nakasone

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I love this.  The Way it  Is.  Anthony Discenza.  Image: ICA

Rejection, we are told, is a fact of life that at best, sublimates into a valuable life lesson, or at worst, transforms us into our own worst enemies. These days, rejection and subsequent dejection have become almost numbingly familiar for some and painfully real for others: every day the media deludes us with news of mass layoffs ("reorganizations," as it were) and almost everyone is acquainted with someone who has been recently "affected."  Artists, of course, are no strangers to rejection: an ostracizing review from a prominent art critic, rejection from a juried show, a harsh critique, making no sales etc. etc. 
The San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art acknowledges rejection's crippling potential and wants to help artists and viewers accept rejection with good humor and MOVE ON in their upcoming exhibition, It's Not Us, It's You, curated by Ray Beldner (check out SF Contemporary Art Examiner's article about his Berkeley lecture here.  We both love Beldner's work) and featuring a very exciting line up of bay area artists (including SECA winner Desiree Holman, and artists I have written about in previous entries--Anthony Discenza and Kate Gilmore).  

From the ICA:

"It’s Not Us, It’s You is an exhibition that explores the inevitability of rejection in our lives – a timely topic in today’s woeful economic climate. Through a tragic and sometimes heartbreaking lens, the artists in this exhibition respond to the reality of rejection with subversion, self-reflection, humor and brutal honesty. The show is guest curated by artist Ray Beldner and includes paintings, sculpture, video, and multi-media work from artists Anthony Discenza, Stephanie Syjuco, Michael Arcega, Kara Maria, Steve Lambert, Jonn Herschend, Dee Hibbert-Jones, Nomi Talisman, Desiree Holman, Orly Cogan, Kate Gilmore and Robert Eads"

Want to participate?  In conjunction with this exhibition, curator and artist Ray Beldner will be compiling a book of artist's rejection letters--submit your letter by March 28th to info@sjica.org with "FOR REJECTION SHOW" in the subject line. "The ICA promises no letters will be rejected for this project." hahahhaha.

Join the ICA for the opening reception on Friday, April 3 from 6-8pm.  The evening will feature an open-mike session for rejection confessions.

I leave you with this thought (artist Matt Jones' take on "Be Calm and Carry On.") via Boing Boing:

Image: Matt Jones.  Via BoingBoing.