| Last year we started the tradition of TMI to create a space where people from Problem Children, Problem Library, and beyond could congregate, share things they love, present new work, or try something unexpected.
It is also an open and public event where anyone curious about Problem Library can visit our space, meet the folks who make our organization a community, and learn with us.
By bringing together people from across our programs and collaborations, TMI is an opportunity to meet new faces and reconnect with old friends. To paraphrase Tamara’s eloquent phrasing from a previous newsletter: TMI is a wellspring of that “force that continually loops us all back together.”
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Ahead of this full and enlivening day, we wanted to share a bit of background about the diverse array of people we will hear from tomorrow:
In the morning Sofia Belen will lead us through a collaborative drawing activity. A 2022 Problem Children intern, Sofia has continued to hone her community-building skills at Problem Library by leading programs like Food For Thought (a workshop/gathering she co-created/facilitated with another PC alum, Airis). The drawing exercise she has designed uses music and art to interrogate whether it is possible to “translate something that can only be felt or experienced into a physical artifact”.
After noon, Chelsie Joy Valerio, another Problem Children 2022 alumni, will lead us through a reading discussion. Some of you may remember that Chelsie also led a reading discussion for the first-ever TMI last year. Since then Chelsie joined us at the PC 2024 critique day where she brought her voice, expertise, and encouragement to challenge and support the artists in this most recent cohort.
From there Elizabeth Meiklejohn will lead us in a conversation about weaving and the interactive installation she specially designed for TMI. Elizabeth first came to Problem Library last October for our first TMI. After a spirited conversation in April (at TMI #002) we knew we had to invite her to hear more about her work and the ritual theme. In response, Elizabeth designed a beautiful installation for our window and worked with Executive Director Blake Conway and long-time PC mentor Jess Wilson to build and assemble it. Every TMI attendee is invited to engage (and add) to the installation—more on that tomorrow!
Later on, Dapo Oni will guide us through an interactive conversation about synesthesia and his approach to scent making. In early 2023, Dapo hosted an event for his lifestyle brand Venture at Problem Library, and ever since he has continued to be a big supporter of Problem Children – both by donating profits from events and with his time during critique days. Dapo will be selling Venture incense sticks at TMI so you can enjoy his floral and fragrant scents at home.
And throughout the day we’ll hear from creative and thoughtful people like: John Lindsey of The Great Highway gallery who is providing our soup dinner; historienne Nicole Meldahl of Western Neighborhoods Project; the (not so) secret alter-ego of Danny Jones; photographer Rob Brodman and filmmaker Joshua Mendez Valdez; long-term Problem Children mentors Jeff Masamori, Daniel Lucas, and Danica Taylor; and—of course— our steadfast TMI hostess, Tamara Chu.
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In ways big, small, emerging, and enduring, every one of these presenters has helped grow and cultivate Problem Library. We are delighted by their continued support and eager to see ritual through their eyes.
Whether you’re an old friend, or a future one: we hope you will join us tomorrow. |
