Big Car

Robin Raps with Deep Trombosis and Cory Gossett
2022-09-16 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Listen Hear, 2620 Shelby St, , Indianapolis, IN, 46203, United States
Robin Raps will perform at Listen Hear to celebrate the release of his new album, along with special guests Deep Trombosis and Corey Gosset.

Lunch Break Live - Florelis Jimenez Vejas
2022-09-20 11:00 - 13:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Florelis Jimenez Vejas is a Venezuelan singer and musician with an artistic career of more than 20 years, she will delight us with llanera music songs and among other musical genres.
Made possible by Lake City Bank.
What is this?
Circle SPARK brings you activities like games, live music, artmaking, and socializing in a comfortable place. It is located on Monument Circle in the southwest quad. Hours: Mondays – Thursdays 11 am to 2 pm | Wednesdays 5-9 pm | and Fridays 11 am to 9 pm. SPARK is a project of Big Car, Downtown Indy, and the City of Indianapolis — with support from the Capital Improvement Board and the Indiana War Memorials Commission.

WALKING WEDNESDAYS-Haiku Hike
2022-09-21 18:00 - 20:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Learn about the art of haiku observation and try your hand at some in-the-moment, 3-line poems led by poet, Big Car executive director and SPARK lead artist Jim Walker. Co-create a linked group haiku (renga) with your fellow walkers. And we’ll record haiku to air on WQRT FM. Everyone gets a free little notebook.
ALL TOURS MEET at the trailer on the southwest quad of Monument Circle. Expect to walk between a half-mile and 2 miles total. In case of bad weather, cancellation decisions will be made by 3 p.m. Check SPARK social media or website for updates.
Free
What’s This?
We at Big Car are teaming up with Downtown Indy and the City of Indianapolis — with support from the Capital Improvement Board and the Indiana War Memorials Commission— to spark Monument Circle with human-scale activities like games, live music, artmaking, and socializing in a comfortable place. We’re based from the southwest quadrant in front of the Emmis.

Evening Embers: Ambient Music with Landon Caldwell
2022-09-21 18:30 - 19:30 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Landon Caldwell is a composer and multi-disciplinary artist in Indianapolis whose work examines environment, family, & class through the language of intuition and other hidden layers of reality.
He has toured in the United States, Canada, and Europe and is regularly engaged with artists and musicians across the Midwest and beyond. Since 2016 he has co-operated Medium Sound, producing a number of the label’s releases.
From 2017 to 2020 he was a co-owner/operator of A-Space, a community-focused audio workspace. Since 2020 his work with sound has ventured into conceptual, performative, and installation based work.
His collaborative work expands into multi-disciplinary fields, working with film, visual arts, sculpture, poetry, dance, and more.

Pyrography with Nasreen Khan
2022-09-22 11:00 - 13:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Pyrography, commonly known as wood burning, is the art of drawing and writing using a burning tool for etching designs onto different surfaces, usually wood.
You can use pyrography to add drawings or writings to wood, gourds, leather, and any other material that wouldn’t be destroyed by the heat from the burning tool.

Khan will talk about the process, give examples and allow attendees to try it out (must sign a waiver).

Indianapolis-based artist Nasreen Khan grew up in West Africa and Indonesia and moved to the gritty American Midwest by way of New York City. She and her toddler son live in their bungalow on Indianapolis’ Near Westside. On a Friday night she can be found cooking various organ meats or chasing down a stellar mint julep.
Her Indianapolis art is all a tribute to Haughville. Since moving to Indianapolis and putting down roots, walking the streets of Haughville and becoming part of the fabric here has kept her grounded. Haughville has been the tableau for building community, exploring her queer identity, motherhood, and teaching her son about race.

What’s This?
We at Big Car are teaming up with Downtown Indy and the City of Indianapolis — with support from the Capital Improvement Board and the Indiana War Memorials Commission— to spark Monument Circle with human-scale activities like games, live music, artmaking, and socializing in a comfortable place. We’re based from the southwest quadrant in front of the Emmis.

After Work Happy Hour - Energy Readings, Performance, Artisan Vendors and more...
2022-09-22 16:00 - 18:00 | Lockerbie Marketplace, 320 N New Jersey St, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Join us after work for Happy Hour at Lockerbie Marketplace — a lovely greenspace next to Needler’s Fresh Market. Purchase goods from local artisans and food vendors, enjoy live music by Mina Keohane (composer and vocalist) and visit our Sun King beer garden located right off the Cultural Trail on Alabama Street. All ages welcome. Featured vendors include Jovan Art and Vintage Kat and Mom. Numerology Readings by Ellen Robinson (Art of You) will also be available.

About Mina Keohane
Mina Keohane is a composer, instrumentalist, and vocalist. Her songs can lean as jazz-influenced progressive pop, and have been described as “if Joni Mitchell and Aimee Mann had a baby with Charles Mingus.”
As a performer, she can be found singing at her monthly residency at the Chatterbox Jazz Club every 3rd Tuesday of the month, as well as playing keyboards and accordion with Jeff Kelly & the Graveyard Shift, Sarah Grain & the Billions of Stars, Nashville-based recording artist Brandon Whyde, The Dopacetics, Hip-Hop Artist TJ Reynolds & the Freehand Orchestra, and her own band Mina & the Wondrous Flying Machine. She has had the opportunity and privilege of opening for many wonderful artists including Becca Stevens, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Nightsweats, Blues Traveler, Dwight Yoakam, Esme Patterson & Robby Krieger.

About Ellen Robinson
Each human is uniquely coded with their own energy blueprint. Within each human’s coding, which Ellen calls one’s organic formula, lies all that is needed to break out of habitual patterning. Using one’s birthday and name given at birth, the language of numerology is one way to read this distinct coding. Ellen Robinson has been reading number energy since 2012. Each number or energy is aligned with a theme or archetype and exists along a spectrum. In your reading, Ellen will share the themes your soul has chosen to experience in this lifetime, in service to the evolution of your consciousness and freeing of your soul. A numerology experience with Ellen is truly an opening into your own Self – a portal to one’s truest expression.

Select Few Sessions-Artist Interview Series
2022-09-22 19:00 - 21:00 | IN
Join TroyTrackSelect live as he interviews Fre$co at Listen Hear.

Poetry and Ritual
2022-09-24 15:00 - 17:00 | IN
The exhibit, “Sister Song: The Requiem” features several commissioned poems by Dr. Maria Hamilton Abegunde specifically exploring themes in the exhibit and exist within the wombs themselves.Abegunde will read selected works, the community is invited to bring objects that explore healing this history for a community altar.

Sister Song: The Requiem is a community-based project that examines how art and community co-creation processes can be used to heal the intergenerational trauma associated with enslavement and its aftermaths. The project, led by artist LaShawnda Crowe Storm, blurs the lines between the public and private by transforming mundane places into sacred spaces through public rituals.
A requiem is an act of remembrance for the dead. How does honoring the dead give life to the living? How do the living remember their histories while creating new futures? How does embracing history help us release specific traumas and move toward a future where healing is possible? We explore these questions through the community co-creation process that is at the heart of Requiem: womb making.
Each womb is handcrafted and designed in wax by Crowe Storm, then cast in aluminum. After casting is completed, Crowe Storm invites artists and community members to choose a womb. Womb makers then adapt and modify the womb by following these simple directions: Make this into a talisman or spiritual object to heal your/our histories, be willing to allow what needs to emerge to emerge, and transform the womb to reflect a vision of healing. Each womb maker must also be willing to continuously ask themselves the question, “How do I reclaim the ‘spirit of the womb’ when that spirit has been stolen, harmed, wounded?”
“Requiem” is the second iteration of “Sister Song.” The first included 8 wombs that were installed as part of the exhibit Keeper of My Mothers’ Dream (2017, Indianapolis). Requiem incudes nearly 50 vessels on exhibition: the wombs by the original 8 participants along with 40 others, some invited by the original womb makers and others identified by Crowe Storm. In addition, some of the original 8 womb makers created new wombs. The exhibit also includes newly commissioned poems by Maria Hamilton Abegunde.

Participating womb makers include: Abegunde, Afriye We-Kandodis, Alice Berry, Ariana Beedie, Bambi Aldridge, Breon Tyler, Clare Wildhack-Nolan and Ezmae Wildhack-Cain, D. Olivia Jones, Joyce Moore, Juaquita Callaway, Julia Rodreguiz , Keesha Dixon, Kianga Jinaki, LaToya Marlin, Lillis Taylor, Malaika Baxa, Marilyn Kunkle, Melissa Larimer, Monica Johnson, N’dieye Gray Danavall, Phyllis Boyd, Ronda Chapman, Samantha Horton, Sharon Clark, Shauta Marsh, Stacia Murphy, Stephanie Roberston, Trish Williams, Tysha Ahmad, Uzuri Asad, Val Tate, Veronica Schwartz DeFazio, Viola Moten Ratcliffe, Yolanda Echols and Yvette Upton.

LaShawnda Crowe Storm is a mixed media and community-based artist, activist, community builder and occasionally an urban farmer. Whether making artwork or sowing seeds, she uses her creative power as a vehicle for dialogue around topics such as racial and gender violence, social change and justice. At the core of her practice is a desire to create community; any community in which the process of making art creates a space for difficult discussions with an eye towards community healing. She has received numerous awards for art and community activism. Crowe Storm received an M.F.A. from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2004.

Made possible by Mr. & Mrs. Craig E Von Deylen and Laurel S Judkins with support from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, The Arts Council of Indianapolis, The Arts Council of Indianapolis and The Efroymson Family Fund.

Super Sunday Showdown
2022-09-25 12:00 - 18:30 | Listen Hear, 2620 Shelby St, , Indianapolis, IN, 46203, United States
Live Music, THE Torta Food Truck, drinks, yard sale and the Colts Game —outside and inside of Listen Hear.
Organized by Clint Breeze and other Artist Public Life Residency artists, the event is free but donations are recommended, 100% will go to pay the musicians.
Wampus Milk Daddies, 12:10-12:45
Wampus Milk Daddies is a fusion band that covers a wide array of styles ranging from prog rock, jazz fusion, hip hop to funk. The group has been featured on WFYI radio and has been a staple in the local Indianapolis music scene for several years. Drums- Elijah Pollard Guitar- Owen Welch Bass- Ryan Johnson Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Flute and Vocals- Tony Echarry Trumpet- Ethan Hodes
Breezfunk, 1-1:45
Norrie The Goat, 2-2:30
“I consider myself to be an artist rather than a rapper because of what I bring to the table. I produce and engineer my own sound and I created my own sound from scratch. I started making beats, rapping, engineering, mixing and mastering my own music in 2014.”
Tubbles with Special Guest, 2:45-3:15
StarChaser, 3:30-4:15
A little more progressive, a little more modern and a whole lot louder—that’s Kara Tucker’s approach to StarChaser, a band born out of her previous music group Elliot Bigger in pursuit of creative freedom and a brand-new sound. Tucker, who has been playing music around Indy since 2006, serves as the group’s guitarist and vocalist. Backed by her husband Nick Teedo on the bass and Dorian Phelps’ killer drum skills, she’s writing songs for the band’s debut record, which will blend together progressive metal, rock and pop.
Bashiri & The Lady, 4:30-5:15
Acknowledging that each of us has a priceless gift that we must harness and share with the world, Bashiri Asad has come to define his sound as “IndySoul.”He laughs. He cries. He loves. He dreams. Just like you, everyday. He feels deeply, and turns his feelings into music. Soul music. Music that says exactly how you feel, everyday. Bashiri Asad is the “Everyday Soul Singer,” and he will remind you that feeling what you feel, in your soul, is just fine.
IndySoul is his passion, and he exudes this with every song!
DJ Littletown, 5:15-6:15
Jessica DJ Little Town is a selector and master of mixing music! Indianapolis born with dual citizenship belonging to Brazil, Little Town began collecting vinyl records at the age of 12 with great influence from her older sister who worked at a record store. From there, she learned to mix on vinyl and gradually entered the MP3 mixing world. Her first major performances include; CultureShock Festival 2015, Chreece Festival 2016, Bloco do Rodrigo S Block Party 2017, Body Mechanics (Residency) at the Root Cellar 2017, Soul’d Out All Vinyl Dance Party (Residency) at Square Cat Vinyl, and Low Pone Queer Dance Party (Residency).
What’s APLR?
The Artist and Public Life Residency (APLR) — consists of arts-based community leaders who team up with neighbors (and others across the city) to strengthen our block, the southside, and the broader community through arts-based approaches.
APLR artists are creatives, makers, teachers, designers, and more. Fields include — and are not limited to — architecture, culinary art, curation, visual art, public art, furniture, fashion, craft, design, film and video, creative writing and journalism, performing arts, music, theater, placemaking, socially engaged art, etc.

WALKING WEDNESDAY-Ugly Ducklings
2022-09-28 18:00 - 20:00 | IN
Join historians Jordan Ryan and Callie McCune for a look at the hidden tales and amazing stories behind buildings you might love to hate: City-County Building, the Gold Building, the former Anthem building on Monument Circle, and others. You may even learn to love some of Indy’s most unseemly architecture.
ALL TOURS MEET at the trailer on the southwest quad of Monument Circle. Expect to walk between a half-mile and 2 miles total. In case of bad weather, cancellation decisions will be made by 3 p.m. Check SPARK social media or website for updates.

* FREE *

What’s This?
We at Big Car are teaming up with Downtown Indy and the City of Indianapolis — with support from the Capital Improvement Board and the Indiana War Memorials Commission— to spark Monument Circle with human-scale activities like games, live music, artmaking, and socializing in a comfortable place. We’re based from the southwest quadrant in front of the Emmis.

Evening Embers: Ambient Music with Michael Raintree
2022-09-28 18:30 - 19:30 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Michael Raintree is one of the alter music egos of Sean describes his music as “experimental R&B.” He’s created a unique soundscape for the project, featuring distorted layers of synthesizers and drum machines with heavily-processed vocals.

Sean Oreo Jones is an artist currently residing in Indianapolis. With his original focus on hip-hop culture, Jones has sharpened his craft as a musician touring around the country. Since 2010, Oreo Jones has released over 9 studio albums, participated in artist residencies, and received awards for his work in the hip-hop community.
As a community organizer with an artistic purpose, Sean founded “Chreece,” one of the Midwest’s largest hip-hop festivals.

Lunch at Lockerbie featuring Live Performance by Fifth Lucky Dragon
2022-09-29 11:00 - 13:00 | Lockerbie Marketplace, 320 N New Jersey St, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Join us on Thursdays at Lockerbie Marketplace — a lovely downtown greenspace next to Needler’s Fresh Market. Ping pong, foosball, and giant Jenga are always available for additional entertainment.
This week enjoy live music by Fifth Lucky Dragon and food by That Vegan Food Joint.

About the artist
Fifth Lucky Dragon is the project of Louis Imperiale (multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, writer, producer, engineer, and self-proclaimed fruit roll-up connoisseur). Drawing comparisons to Glass Animals, Twenty One Pilots, MGMT, and other electro-pop acts, Fifth Lucky Dragon blends cutting edge pop production with introspective lyrical exploration (for example: how fantasies interact with reality and how digital life affects psychology)
All events are free at 320 N New Jersey Street in the greenspace right off the Cultural Trail.

Color Readings with Carlie Foreman
2022-09-29 11:00 - 13:00 | IN
Colors are vibrations of light. As vibrational beings, we resonate with different colors at different times.
There are literally thousands of life color variations. Foreman will be able to tell you more about yourself based off colors you pick.

About the artist
Carlie Foreman is a multi-disciplinary artist from Indianapolis and studied sculpture at Herron School of Art and Design — a school of Indiana University at IUPUI. Foreman lives in Garfield Park, serves as the director of operations for Big Car Collaborative, and is a board member with the Garfield Park Neighbors Association. With interest in work that focuses on vibration and connection, Foreman works in fine arts, public art, and place-based activation. Since July of 2018, Foreman has hosted Good Vibrations, an electronic radio show, on 99.1 WQRT LP Indianapolis.

Lunch Break Live- The Hammer and The Hatchet
2022-10-04 12:00 - 13:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
The Hammer And The Hatchet are John Bowyer and Jayme Hood. Songwriting partners, whose Americana originals and harmony rich bluegrass sound have earned a name as a folk roots duo on the rise. They return in summer 2022, to premier Shake Off The Cold – their fourth album in eight years.
John Bowyer is a highly respected singer and multi-instrumentalist who has been writing and recording for over 20 years. Jayme Hood – his versatile songwriting soul mate, is also a carpenter, multimedia artist and a weaver. Hoosiers born and raised, based out of their cabin in the fabled hills of South Central Indiana.
Organized by The Girl Called Books and made possible by Lake City Bank as part of SPARK Monument Circle.
What’s Spark Monument Circle?
Big Car Collaborative and Downtown Indy are teaming up with the City of Indianapolis — with support from the Capital Improvement Board and the Indiana War Memorials Commission— to spark Monument Circle with human-scale activities like games, live music, artmaking, and socializing in a comfortable place. Everything is free for people to enjoy.

WALKING WEDNESDAYS-Magical History Tour
2022-10-05 18:00 - 20:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Artist, scavenger, and raconteur Kipp Normand guides you on a stroll through the oddities of Indianapolis history and spaces. Get ready for weird.
ALL TOURS MEET at the trailer on the southwest quad of Monument Circle. Expect to walk between a half-mile and 2 miles total. In case of bad weather, cancellation decisions will be made by 3 p.m. Check SPARK social media or website for updates.
* FREE *
What’s This?
We at Big Car are teaming up with Downtown Indy and the City of Indianapolis — with support from the Capital Improvement Board and the Indiana War Memorials Commission— to spark Monument Circle with human-scale activities like games, live music, artmaking, and socializing in a comfortable place. We’re based from the southwest quadrant in front of the Emmis

Evening Embers: Ambient Music with Dj Little Town
2022-10-05 18:30 - 20:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Indianapolis born with dual citizenship belonging to Brazil, Little Town began collecting vinyl records at the age of 12 with great influence from her older sister who worked at a record store. From there, she learned to mix on vinyl and gradually entered the MP3 mixing world. Her first major performances include; CultureShock Festival 2015, Chreece Festival 2016, Bloco do Rodrigo S Block Party 2017, Body Mechanics (Residency) at the Root Cellar 2017, Soul’d Out All Vinyl Dance Party (Residency) at Square Cat Vinyl, and Low Pone Queer Dance Party (Residency since 2017).

What’s this?

Big Car Collaborative and Downtown Indy are teaming up with the City of Indianapolis — with support from the Capital Improvement Board and the Indiana War Memorials Commission— to spark Monument Circle with human-scale activities like games, live music, artmaking, and socializing in a comfortable place.
Everything is free for people to enjoy.

Lunchtime at Lockerbie || Live Performance by Jesse Jones
2022-10-06 11:00 - 13:00 | Lockerbie Marketplace, 320 N New Jersey St, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Join us on Thursdays at Lockerbie Marketplace — a lovely downtown greenspace next to Needler’s Fresh Market. Ping pong, foosball, and giant Jenga are always available for additional entertainment as we enjoy live music singer/songwriter Jesse Jones and authentic filipino dishes by Taste of Manila

Jesse Jones is a singer/songwriter who draws influence from everyday life. The imagery in his lyrics have been described as “Raw humanity” Introspective and wry original singer-songwriter.
https://www.facebook.com/Jesseplaystunes/
https://www.instagram.com/jess_jonesmusic/
https://jessejonestunes.bandcamp.com/

All events are free at 320 N New Jersey Street in the greenspace right off the Cultural Trail

Dear You, Love Home with Brandon Schaaf
2022-10-06 18:00 - 20:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Where did you live that you miss the most? Where did you live that you hated? Who lives there now? What would you say to them? Are there secrets to reveal? Artist Brandon Schaaf will bring stationary and help you write the perfect letter to the current inhabitant.
About BRANDON SCHAAF
SCHAAF is a visual and performance artist in Indianapolis, Indiana and a founding member of collaborative artist collective Know No Stranger since 2009.
Schaaf’s visual work includes character design, 2D animation, and illustration.
His performance work includes writing, music, singing, and acting.
His karaoke go-tos include Come Sail Away by Styx, Just A Gigolo by Louis Prima, and War by Edwin Starr.
What is this?
Circle SPARK brings you activities like games, live music, artmaking, and socializing in a comfortable place. It is located on Monument Circle in the southwest quad. Hours: Mondays – Thursdays 11 am to 2 pm | Wednesdays 5-9 pm | and Fridays 11 am to 9 pm. SPARK is a project of Big Car, Downtown Indy, and the City of Indianapolis — with support from the Capital Improvement Board and the Indiana War Memorials Commission.

Thursdays on the Mall Film Series-Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse
2022-10-06 19:00 - 23:00 | Indiana War Memorial, 55 N Michigan Ave, Indianapolis, IN, 46204, United States
The Indiana War Memorials Foundation in partnership with Indy Film Fest and us at Big Car invite everyone to gather in Indy’s backyard, American Legion Mall (700 N Pennsylvania St.) for a summer evening and free movie screening of Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse.
Enjoy food trucks, beer from Sun King Brewing, popcorn, games, and more. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, soak in city views, and spend time with your neighbors. The fun kicks off at 7 pm, movie starts at dusk!

About Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse
Bitten by a radioactive spider in the subway, Brooklyn teenager Miles Morales suddenly develops mysterious powers that transform him into the one and only Spider-Man. When he meets Peter Parker, he soon realizes that there are many others who share his special, high-flying talents. Miles must now use his newfound skills to battle the evil Kingpin, a hulking madman who can open portals to other universes and pull different versions of Spider-Man into our world.

Please be aware this event is outdoors. Check back on the Indiana War Memorials Foundation page for weather updates.

MIGUEL CASCO: Send Nudes
2022-10-07 08:00 - 2022-11-28 17:00 | IN
The solo exhibit in partnership with Arte Mexicano en Indiana features a collection of watercolor and gouache portraits as an invitation to be collectively vulnerable, to create and archive that speaks of intimacy and eroticism.
From an open call to the public in 2018 to date, Casco has invited people to share their nudes with him. He then transferred them to painting, “to see through the eyes of the person who sends them and portray the intimacy they share,” says Casco.

MIGUEL CASCO
(Puebla, 1991)
Visual artist, cultural manager and museographer. He holds a degree in Plastic Arts and a master’s degree in Informa- tion Design from Universidad de las Américas Puebla. The technological-digital influence and media connectivity, as entities that promote shared intimacy, are thematic axes of his current production. His work has been exhibited in Mexico, United States and Germany. Since 2019 he is deputy director of the Museum of the Foreign Affairs, in Mexico City; in 2017 he founded Atelier Mesones and, in 2020, lagalerí_a, independent projects focused on the teaching, reflection and dissemination of visual arts.

MIGUEL CASCO
(Puebla, 1991)
Artista visual, gestor cultural y museógrafo. Es licenciado en Artes Plásticas y maestro en Diseño de Información por la Universidad de las Américas Puebla. La influencia tecnológica-digital y la conectividad mediática, como entes que propician una intimidad compartida, son ejes temáticos de su producción actual. Su obra ha sido expuesta en México, Estados Unidos y Alemania. Desde 2019 es subdirector del Museo de la Cancillería, en la Ciudad de México; en 2017 fundó Atelier Mesones y, en 2020, lagalerí_a, proyectos independientes enfocados a la enseñanza, la reflexión y la difusión de las artes visuales.

Made possible by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts

María José González Camarena on MIGUEL CASCO: Send Nudes
“Love yourself, care for yourself, be vulnerable”
“Every pussy is pretty.”
—Anonymous
One other thing we’ve been allowed to do recently is send nudes. I say «allowed to» because the access to the technology needed is more attainable. Before, there were sculptures, paintings, daguerreotypes and other representations, but there wasn’t always a way to send them too far or share them. And really there were many purposes for those pieces besides the erotization of the body.
I don’t know how often you talk about this. Or if you take nudes, but I think it’s always relevant to talk about the space we inhabit, how we inhabit it, what we do there o who we invite into it: like in every other practice or interaction we have, with someone else or with ourselves, where we show a part of us that we «save» for a certain conversation.
For starters, it’s an act of recognition: why do we do it? I think it could go way past having a recipient in mind, there are people who in a burst of narcissism or recognition fill their camera roll with surprises, because it’s always interesting to find ourselves posing or doing gestures that had gone unnoticed before. Just like I think of masturbation as one of the greatest ways of self-discovery, nudes can also be a conversation to have with oneself. More «free the nipple», and what I heard César Galicia say (in Coger rico y amar bonito, vaguely translated as Fuck well and love nicely), it’s absurd to think that a nipple says more about us than, for example, a picture of our thumbprint on social media during the elections.
I don’t think there’s a formula or a technique for sending nudes, but there are some things we should be aware of when we do it:
1. If you don’t block your phone, I don’t know what fantasyland you’re living in, but I suggest you always do it. Nowadays, even beyond nudes, we might have a lot of information we wouldn’t want someone else to have access to.
2. When talking about nudes it’s generally recommended to not show your face, but more than that, I suggest you use encrypted apps that don’t allow screenshots. A simple Google search should give you plenty of options. Edward Snowden recommends Signal.
3. Consent: this is essential. No one wants to receive unsolicited content. Related to that, it’s also important that you learn to read between the lines and be pertinent. Just like with humor, a big part of the message depends on good timing. And if there’s consent, you decide how much you want to show and how much you want to pull the rubberband.
4. Every part of the body can be eroticized: don’t limit yourselves to the parts that have been canonically considered so, and going back to self-discovery, discover yourself. The age of hellenic figures is over–or we ended it–and maybe a knee, a chin or a mole can have more connotations than a close-up of genitalia.
5. Just like no one likes to receive unsolicited content, it’s also important that you stay alert or be careful when it comes to nudes. One day we can be head over heels for a person and a few hours or weeks later we want nothing to do with them. It’s important to (always always always) remember that the problem is not that you shared a nude, but that the other person might have an erratic, non-empathic or even cruel reaction or behavior. We are human and there’s nothing better than being vulnerable together, and sadly, not everyone understands that code.
6. I don’t think anyone wants to end up in court for sharing a nude, but remember that 29 out of the 32 states in the country (Mexico) have recognized the Olimpia Law. Also, nothing would be more just than lighting a candle for everyone who’s fought against harassment and extortion through the release of content and the punishment for the inappropriate use of the material. Thank you, infinite thank yous.
Send nudes it’s an invitation to be collectively vulnerable, that is to say, let’s get naked together to create an archive that talks about intimacy and erotism. To start that conversation which, even though it should have been open and on everyone’s mouth for years now, can’t always be approached. Refusing to talk about our erotic sides and desire, because of prejudice or taboos, seems to me as absurd as thinking that talking about money is in «bad taste». The most valuable thing they can have is our silence, so let’s normalize the body and nudity from a place of emotional responsibility.
—María José González Camarena
Texto de sala por María José González Camarena
Quiérete, cuídate, vulnérate
Todas las puchitas son bonitas.
—Anónime
Otra cosa que se nos permite de un tiempo a acá, es enviar nudes. Digo que «se nos permite» porque ahora el acceso a esa tecnología está más a la mano. Antes había esculturas, pinturas, daguerrotipos y otras representaciones, pero no siempre había forma de enviarlas muy lejos ni de compartirlas. Y en realidad los propósitos de esas piezas eran muchos, además de la erotización del cuerpo.
No sé qué tanto hables de esto. O si te tomas nudes, pero creo que siempre es relevante hablar del lugar que habitamos, cómo lo habitamos, qué hacemos ahí o a quién invitamos: como en cualquier otra práctica o interacción que tenemos, con alguien más o con une misme, donde dejamos ver alguna parte de nosotres que se «reserva» para cierta conversación.
Para empezar, es un acto de reconocimiento: ¿para qué lo hacemos? Puedo pensar que más allá de tener en mente a un destinatario, hay personas que en un derroche de narcisismo o reconocimiento llenan el carrete de sorpresas, porque siempre es interesante descubrirse haciendo posturas o gestos que hasta antes habían pasado inadvertidos. Así como creo que la masturbación es una de las formas más grandes de autoconocimiento, las nudes también se pueden convertir en otro tipo de conversación que tener con une misme. Más «free the nipple», y como escuché decir a César Galicia (en Coger rico y amar bonito), es absurdo pensar que un pezón revela más de nosotres que, por ejemplo, una foto en redes sociales de nuestra huella dactilar con motivo de las elecciones.
No creo que haya una fórmula o técnica para enviar nudes, pero hay algunas cosas de las que es bueno estar consciente al hacerlo:
1. Si no usas algún método de bloqueo para tu celular, no sé en qué mundo fantástico vives, pero te sugiero que siempre tengas uno. Hoy en día, más allá de nudes, podemos tener bastante información a la que no quisiéramos que cualquier persona tuviera acceso.
2. Al hablar de nudes por lo general se recomienda que no salga tu rostro, pero más que eso, te sugiero que utilices aplicaciones cifradas y que no permitan el uso de capturas de pantalla. Una simple búsqueda en Google te dará muchas opciones. Edward Snowned recomienda Signal.
3. El consentimiento: esto es imprescindible. Nadie quiere recibir contenido no solicitado. En relación, también es importante que sepas leer entre líneas y ser oportune. Al igual que con el humor, gran parte del éxito del mensaje reside en tener buen tiempo. Y mientras haya consentimiento, tú decides qué tanto quieres revelar o qué tanto quieres estirar la liga.
4. Toda la cuerpa puede ser erotizada: no te limites a las partes que canónicamente se han considerado así, y volviendo al autoconocimiento, descúbrete. Ya terminó esa época de figuras helénicas —o la terminamos— y quizá una rodilla, un mentón o un lunar pueden tener más connotaciones que genitales en primer plano.
5. Así como a nadie nos gusta recibir contenido no solicitado, también es importante que «pares las antenas» o que seas cautelose cuando se trate de nudes. Un día podemos estar de cabeza por una persona y a las pocas horas o semanas no querer volver a saber de ella. Aquí es importante (siempre siempre siempre) recordar que el problema no es que hayas compartido una nude, sino que la otra persona puede tener una reacción o comportamiento errático, poco empático y hasta cruel. Somos humanos y no hay nada mejor que vulnerarse con reciprocidad, y tristemente, no todo mundo entiende ese código.
6. Creo que nadie quisiera terminar en un juicio por haber compartido una nude, pero recuerda que en 29 de los 32 estados del país la Ley Olimpia ya entró en rigor. También, no habría nada más justo que hacerles veladoras a todas esas personas que han luchado en contra del acoso o la extorsión mediante la divulgación de contenido y por la sanción del uso inapropiado de este material. Gracias, infinitas gracias.
Send nudes nos invita a vulnerarnos colectivamente, o sea, a encuerarnos juntes para crear un archivo que hable de intimidad y erotismo. Para provocar esa conversación que, aunque debería estar abierta y en boca de todes desde hace años, no siempre se puede abordar. Negarnos a hablar de nuestro yo erótico y del deseo, por prejuicios o tabúes, me parece igual de absurdo que pensar que hablar de dinero es de «mal gusto». Lo más valioso que pueden tener es nuestro silencio, así que normalicemos la cuerpa y la denudez desde la responsabilidad afectiva.
María José González Camarena
San Antonio, 2020

Justin Cooper: Yard Work
2022-10-07 18:00 - 2022-10-30 15:00 | Tube Factory artspace, 1125 Cruft St., Indianapolis, IN, 46203, United States
Geometric plant studies from Cruft street
This series of paintings started when I relocated from Fountain Square to the Garfield Park neighborhood to be part of Big Car’s Artist and Public Life Residency. It was the first time in my adult life where I was living on a property with a yard — a place where I could plant whatever I wanted. I remember my grandparents always having gardens and working in the yard with them. My folks were also avid gardeners.
I was excited to connect with them on some level through gardening, our shared interest in plants. In the first spring of moving into the new place, I bought assorted flower bulbs and some perennials. Then I started digging in the yard and planting. My mom had been working on flower beds in her own yard for years. She had a wide array of flowers that she separated and gave me to transplant.
Then the pandemic started. The plants I put in the ground started growing and flowering. I began to study and sketch them, translating the color and proportions of the plants into geometric forms and patterns. Between working outdoors with plants and wood burning designs of the plants into wooden panels on the porch, I found a connection to my new neighborhood. I found solace from all the dark uncertainties of the times. I learned to focus on the positives and to appreciate the beauty of the things that surround me.
With a few exceptions from my neighbors’ or parents’ gardens, most of the pieces I made for Yard Work were directly influenced by the plants in my yard.

About Cooper
I’m an Indianapolis native who has worked as an artist here for over 20 years. I spent most of that time as a studio artist. Central to my artistic evolution has been independently developing my artistic voice while forming relationships with artists I connected with while maintaining studios at the Murphy Art Center, Wheeler Arts Community, and as an artist in Big Car’s Artist and Public Life Residency program.
In the studio, I concentrate on creating multiple series that will eventually go together and be displayed as cohesive bodies of work. I’ve always enjoyed learning new mediums and techniques to incorporate into pieces in hopes of expanding my visual language. In recent years I have had an increased interest in larger scale mural projects and public art. Experimenting with the scale and design of an image while being thoughtful of how the piece will be viewed from different distances has been intriguing to me. The consideration of placement and the context of the image as it relates to its surrounding environment has been an interesting challenge.
My artwork is deeply Influenced by observations of nature and my love of art history and architecture. Presenting a reflection of the relationship between humans and nature has been fundamental in my creative process. I’m fascinated by geometric formations, patterns and underlying structural arrangements found in nature.
My work over the last few years has revolved around the interpretation of nature and organic forms through a lens of geometric abstraction. By employing the use of isometric geometry in the imagery, there are moments where an object can be viewed as concave or convex. I have used this to allude that there are multiple ways of seeing the subject.
My most recent work has concentrated on depicting geometric interpretations of plants and flowers that have been growing in my yard and neighborhood in Garfield Park. Exploring structural elements of the plants while also documenting my time, and location in Indianapolis. Referencing the flowers and wildlife living in my area has become important to my work, to promote the appreciation of the beauty and individuality of the living things that surround us.
I used this approach in recent public art projects including The High Art Billboard project and Vinyl Storefront project with the Indy Arts council, as well as working with Southeast Neighborhood Development and IndyGo on an art installation on one of the Red Line platforms in Garfield Park.

Adrian Bless: Mortuary Madness
2022-10-07 18:00 - 2022-11-20 15:00 | Listen Hear, 2620 Shelby St, , Indianapolis, IN, 46203, United States
Adrian Bless is the alternative hiphop artist and visual artist based in Indianapolis, Indiana. With the clashing melodies and harmonies to accentuate his lyricism the 31 year old is bringing unique sounds and visuals to the Midwest.

The exhibit will feature original works of Bless’s visual art. He will also perform live. Works will be available for purchase. Curated by Wildstyle Paschall

Born and raised in the Crosstown section of Indianapolis he has showcased his ability to freestyle in numerous cyphers but also creates thought provoking songs with a creative twist. He has released 15 hiphop projects in the last 9 years. He has performed all over the world including 2018 performances in Hong Kong, San Diego, St. Louis, South Dakota, Minnesota in addition to regularly performing all over Central Indiana.
He has headlined Oranje Indy, The Virginia Avenue Music Festival, and been featured on the main stage of Chreece at the HiFi. He has been featured in NUVO Magazine, The Indy Star, WFYI, and countless other media outlets.

Lunch Break Live- Katie Jo Robinson
2022-10-11 12:00 - 13:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Katie Jo Robinson is a singer-songwriter and educator from Muncie, IN. They perform multi-genre, feel-good music solo and as part of the emo-pop-rock trio Casual Encounters.
Organized by The Girl Called Books and made possible by Lake City Bank as part of SPARK Monument Circle.

What’s Spark Monument Circle?
Big Car Collaborative and Downtown Indy are teaming up with the City of Indianapolis — with support from the Capital Improvement Board and the Indiana War Memorials Commission— to spark Monument Circle with human-scale activities like games, live music, artmaking, and socializing in a comfortable place. Everything is free for people to enjoy.

WALKING WEDNESDAYS-The Circle City’s Namesake Landmark
2022-10-12 18:00 - 20:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
With this Walking Wednesday you can gain deeper appreciation for Indianapolis’s symbolic heart by exploring the history and architecture of the Soldiers & Sailors Monument and the buildings that encircle it. Tours presented by Indiana Landmarks.
ALL TOURS MEET at the trailer on the southwest quad of Monument Circle. Expect to walk between a half-mile and 2 miles total. In case of bad weather, cancellation decisions will be made by 3 p.m. Check SPARK social media or website for updates.
* FREE *

What’s This?
We at Big Car are teaming up with Downtown Indy and the City of Indianapolis — with support from the Capital Improvement Board and the Indiana War Memorials Commission— to spark Monument Circle with human-scale activities like games, live music, artmaking, and socializing in a comfortable place. We’re based from the southwest quadrant in front of the Emmis.

What A Wednesday!
2022-10-12 18:00 - 21:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Join us for improv music, poetry, video projections and learn about architecture all in one Wednesday evening!

Big Car Collaborative and Downtown Indy have teamed up with the City of Indianapolis — with support from the Capital Improvement Board and the Indiana War Memorials Commission— to spark Monument Circle with human-scale activities like games, live music, artmaking, and socializing in a comfortable place. Everything is free for people to enjoy.

Evening Embers — performance of new compositions and improvisations by Indianapolis-based musicians Jordan Munson and Rob Funkhouser through the Circle sound system. Starts at 6 pm and goes until the reading.
The Circle City’s Namesake Landmark — Gain deeper appreciation for Indianapolis’s symbolic heart by exploring the history and architecture of the Soldiers & Sailors Monument and the buildings that encircle it. Presented by Indiana Landmarks. Starts at 6 pm and goes until the reading.
Circle Anthology — We’ve commissioned more than 20 writers to share work inspired by the Circle. Their poems will air on WQRT FM during Circle Sounds playing from the Circle speakers and we’ll do a live reading with this group at 7 p.m.
No More No Place — Organized by Indianapolis musician and IUPUI professor Jordan Munson, this project pairs instrumental music by local composers with video accompaniments projected on the Circle. Debuts at about 8 p.m.

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After Work Happy Hour – Performance by Bashiri Asad, Artisan Vendors and more…
2022-10-13 16:00 - 18:00 | Lockerbie Marketplace, 320 N New Jersey St, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Join us after work for Happy Hour at Lockerbie Marketplace — a lovely greenspace next to Needler’s Fresh Market. Purchase goods from local artisans, enjoy authenic Filipino dishes by Taste of Manilla and live music by Bashiri Asad (indie soul). Our Sun King beer garden will also be located right off the Cultural Trail on Alabama Street. All ages welcome. Featured vendors include Jovan Art and Lapis Lilly.

Lunch Break Live-Indy Annies
2022-10-18 12:00 - 13:00 | IN
The Indy Annies are a high energy country band in Indianapolis. Your favorite babes in country music, the Indy Annies cover the classics from Patsy to Dolly and today’s hits from Maren to Miranda – and everyone in between. Whether you’re a fan of classic, modern, outlaw, 90s, or rock they’ve got it covered.
Organized by The Girl Called Books and made possible by Lake City Bank as part of SPARK Monument Circle.
What’s Spark Monument Circle?
Big Car Collaborative and Downtown Indy are teaming up with the City of Indianapolis — with support from the Capital Improvement Board and the Indiana War Memorials Commission— to spark Monument Circle with human-scale activities like games, live music, artmaking, and socializing in a comfortable place. Everything is free for people to enjoy.

WALKING WEDNESDAYS-Public Art Crawl
2022-10-19 18:00 - 20:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
What is public art? An expression of currency, an economic generator, and a judgment about the common good. Inspired by the recent Public Art Census produced by Rokh – a cultural equity research & design studio – take an artist-led tour highlighting Downtown’s public works by artists of the global majority (Black, Asian, Brown, dual-heritage, Indigenous).
ALL TOURS MEET at the trailer on the southwest quad of Monument Circle. Expect to walk between a half-mile and 2 miles total. In case of bad weather, cancellation decisions will be made by 3 p.m. Check SPARK social media or website for updates.
* FREE *
What’s This?
We at Big Car are teaming up with Downtown Indy and the City of Indianapolis — with support from the Capital Improvement Board and the Indiana War Memorials Commission— to spark Monument Circle with human-scale activities like games, live music, artmaking, and socializing in a comfortable place. We’re based from the southwest quadrant in front of the Emmis.

Evening Embers: Ambient Music with Hanna Benn
2022-10-19 18:30 - 20:00 | IN
A composer, vocalist, and genre-spanning collaborator, Hanna Benn has been creating music for over a decade. Her multi-disciplinary approach has incorporated dance, opera, and theater — blurring genre and discovering new sonic landscapes in the process.

Her work as a composer has taken her across the globe, from most recently a premiere at The Perth International Arts Festival to Antwerp performing with the B.O.X Baroque Orchestra. Past works have been performed by the Northwest Symphony, Saint Helen’s String Quartet, Seattle Chamber Players, Opus 7, North Corner Chamber Orchestra and the Indianapolis Symphony.
As a vocalist, Benn produces, writes and performs solo. Her most recent release, DIVIDE, has received critical acclaim from music publications such as Pitchfork, MTV, Stereogum, and XLR8R. Benn has been recognized for her unique and ethereal vocal work which has been described as “devastatingly moving” (The Stranger) and praised for her “unmistakable sense of sanctuary” (Pitchfork).

What’s This?
Big Car Collaborative and Downtown Indy are teaming up with the City of Indianapolis — with support from the Capital Improvement Board and the Indiana War Memorials Commission— to spark Monument Circle with human-scale activities like games, live music, artmaking, and socializing in a comfortable place. Everything is free for people to enjoy.

Free Kokedama Workshop
2022-10-20 11:00 - 13:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Learn how to make your own kokedama! Choose your plant from our wide selection of indoor plants and turn it into a kokedama. Come prepared to get your hands dirty! In this workshop, you will also learn proper care and upkeep of your plant. Supplies are limited and only 30 kokedamas will be made, first come first serve.
What is a kokedama? A Japanese art form of presenting a plant in a ‘living pot’, a kokedama is essentially a plant living in a “moss ball” that can sit on a tray, small stand, or hang from your ceiling.
