deep-space-arts-blog

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CHARLESTON, SC, March 2015—Charleston-based artist Fletcher Williams III (American, b. 1987) is continuing a study on the divergence in Charleston’s cultural heritage. Souvenir is a ceremony for the many victims of violent crimes who lived only blocks away from the city’s historic district. Williams memorializes those of the African American community afflicted by the reconditioning of the Lowcountry, a city of celebrated charm, dominant historic preservation, and architecture running the rainbow gamut. The realities of violence and social destruction are in stark contrast. As a means to represent the correlation of charm and decay Williams appropriates a local souvenir, the Palmetto Rose.

“The Palmetto Rose is infused with history and sentiment. To Charlestonians, it is a link to the past. During the Civil War, Southern ladies would give their true love a Palmetto Rose to keep them safe from harm. Today, it is sold throughout Charleston’s City Market as a souvenir symbolizing everlasting love. But at first sight, it’s the rose’s innate beauty that captures its’ spectator, not its historical significance.”                                                                                             - Fletcher Williams III

For, Souvenir, Williams employs the Palmetto Rose as his principal medium for a new series of multimedia sculptures and drawings. Within these works beauty and destruction are presented simultaneously, forcing the viewer into a cycle of empathy, fascination, horror, and concern. Fourteen trough-like frames have been assembled and filled with tightly woven Palmetto Roses. Within these frames lie expressively illustrated scenes of execution and combat. They are created in black ink and graphite pencil collaging pop culture iconography and African American motifs. Following the drawings, Williams constructed a series of life-sized sculptures interpreting various scenes from the drawings. From chicken wire, rusted fencing, and Palmetto Roses, emerged works that serve as objects of beauty and indicators of violence. ABOUT THE ARTIST Fletcher Williams III (American, b. 1987) received his BFA from The Cooper Union: For The Advancement of Science & Art in New York NY in 2010 and has exhibited his work widely, including The Caribbean Cultural Center, New York; 440 Gallery Small Works, Brooklyn NYC; Rivington Design House, NYC; Fowler Arts Collective, Brooklyn; Scripture & Gold, Charleston; Subspace Art: UPrising, Culver City, CA; Art Miami, Miami Fl, and Art Basel, Miami, FL. CREDITS Fletcher Williams III: Souvenir is organized by Donovan Davidson and Fletcher Williams III, Curatorial Associates of their own. Press Contact: Donovan Davidson, (843) 819-2569 or donovan@deepspacearts.com For downloadable high-resolution images, www.fletcher3.com Private Appointment Viewing Available: March 13-15, 2015, contact Donovan Davidson, (843) 819-2569 or donovan@deepspacearts.com A special thank you to Spring St. Studios - 94 Spring St., Republic Garden and Lounge, Jonathan Evans, Tiffany Bonaparte, and Brae Richardson. Please contact Brae for all of your special event needs at brae@republicreign.com. Republic Garden and Lounge is located in the heart of Charleston’s upper King Street district, 462 King St. It is a modern venue on a site steeped in history. Republic Garden and Lounge is the ideal location for your next event. Contact us at (843)724-7400 or www.republicreign.com. Admissions: Free to the public Accommodations: An audio mix of folk and hip-hop will be provided by NEONGOLDEN!! and refreshments will be provided by Republic Garden and Lounge. Parking: Street parking. Directions: 94 Spring street is located at the corner of Spring Street and Rose Lane in Downtown Charleston, South Carolina. CARTA Rutledge Ave / Spring Street routes 21, 30, 31, 301.

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Mr. Jenkins - The Runaround

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at El Yunque la Mina Falls

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#elyunque #minafalls #puertorico #waterfall #natural #itsallgood (at El Yunque la Mina Falls)

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Beautiful beaches with nobody around. #castaway #beachparty (at Puerto Rico)

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#whatisabeach (at Puerto Rico)

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#puertorico #yep (at La Fortaleza)

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#puertorico #wheatpaste #streetart (at La Tortuga Viejo San Juan)

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#PUNX #PICNIC (at Baltimore Punx Picnic)

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DC 7/25: POWER TRIP (TX), MAMMOTH GRINDER (TX), COKE BUST (DC), ZOOM (DC)

DC 7/25: POWER TRIP (TX), MAMMOTH GRINDER (TX), COKE BUST (DC), ZOOM (DC)

DAMAGED CITY & Deep Space Arts PRESENTS: JULY 25th – Friday @ Union Arts DC 411 New York Ave. NE Washington, D.C. (5 blocks from the NoMa – Gallaudet U Metro/Red Line Located off the corner of 4th and Penn Streets NE)

ALL AGES 7pm doors, 8pm show $10 donation greatly appreciated (2 touring bands!)

POWER TRIP (hardcore punk metal from Texas mem. of Mammoth Grinder, Hatred Surge, Impalers etc. etc……

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DAMAGED CITY & DEEP SPACE ARTS PRESENTS: #POWERTRIP (TX), #MAMMOTHGRINDER (TX), #COKEBUST (DC), # ZOOM (DC), #COLLUSION (DC) July 25th @ Union Arts @ 7pm

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#MALATESE (VA), #ALARMSANDCONTROLS (DC), #TULSA (VA) @ UNION ARTS 411 New York Ave NE, Washington, DC (6/17) $5, 7pm (at union arts dc)

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6/17: MALATESE (VA), ALARMS AND CONTROLS (DC), TULSA (VA)

6/17: MALATESE (VA), ALARMS AND CONTROLS (DC), TULSA (VA)

Tenley Empire & Deep Space Arts presents: Tuesday, June 17th @ Union Arts DC 411 New York Ave. NE, Washington, District  (5 blocks from the NoMa – Gallaudet U Metro/Red Line Located off the corner of 4th and Penn Streets NE)

ALL AGES 7pm doors, 8pm show $5 donation greatly appreciated

Malatese (Harrisonburg, VA) post-punk w/ vocal effects, no wave, weird. new tape out now on Bad Grrl records! http:/…

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#familyphoto (at The Fifth Dimension)

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Turnstile, Intent, Demolition, Protester, Mislead Youth @ Union Arts, 411 New York Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002. Monday, July 23 $10 (at union arts dc)

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Baltimore Electronics Invasion: #SOFIARETA #MYCONIDS #JML #STRESSORPHAN #EXTENDEDRELEASE #CLONING #C10 @ Union Arts, 411 New York Ave, DC June 8th! 7pm @jacobseaton @continuer