Pájaros en el Alambre

Birds on a Wire

FALL 2015

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Pájaros en el Alambre

Birds on a Wire

Winter 2014/15

 Pájaros  en  el  Alambre  /  Birds  on  a  Wire  is  a  new  body  of  work  by   esteemed   visual   artist   Rafael   Perea   de   la   Cabada.   This  bilingual  exhibition  supported  and  exhibited  by   the  National  Museum   of   Animals   &   Society   in   Los   Angeles   explores   our  connection  with   birds   in   a   symbolic,   environmental,   ethical,  and   philosophical   manner   through   a   variety   of   mediums,  including   paintings,   works   on   paper,   printmaking,   and  ceramic  objects.      In  these  works,  birds  are  a  humble  but  powerful  metaphor  for  Latinos   in   America:   caught   in   permanent  migration   towards  opportunities   and   socio-­‐political   liberation,   wings   extended  with  flying  potential,  clipped  often  by  the  laws  of  the  land  or  nature.   Interpretive   text   is   provided   by   renowned   animal  ethologist  and  bestselling  author,  Dr.  Jonathan  Balcombe.      

“Birds have been a recurring presence throughout my life. As a young kid, I remember the skies in a small Mexican pueblo darkening with the sheer number of birds that would migrate back from the fields and take shelter in the trees. Decades later, I return and see that this magical phenomenon lacks the same luster. The birds have drastically dropped in number.”

- RPC  

“I witnessed an incident in the heart of the city where numerous birds died because of the intensity of the smog. For our societies, birds are the canaries in the coalmine. They are the litmus test for our humanity’s well being and a landmark example of the shared experience we have with our environment and the animal kingdom.” -RPC  

           

       

INTERPRETATIVE TEXT WRITTEN BY

DR. JONATHAN BALCOMBE

 Bird  lover  and  watcher,  Jonathan  Balcombe,  earned  his  PhD  in  ethology  (animal  behavior)  in  1991  from  the  University  of  Tennessee.  He  has  published  over  50  scientific  papers  and  book  chapters  on  animal  behavior  and  protection.  His  popular  books  include:  Pleasurable  Kingdom:  Animals  and  the  Nature  of  Feeling  Good  (Macmillan,  2006),  Second  Nature:  The  Inner  Lives  of  Animals  (Palgrave,  Macmillan,  2010),  and  Exultant  Ark:  A  Pictorial  Tour  of  Animal  Pleasure  (University  of  California  Press,  2011).  In  addition  to  serving  as  Department  Chair  for  Animal  Studies  with  Humane  Society  University,  Jonathan  is  Director  for  Animal  Sentience  with  the  Humane  Society  Institute  for  Science  and  Policy,  in  Washington,  D.C.      His  writings  for  this  exhibit  address  birds  as  thinkers  and  feelers;  how  urban  birds  use  our  urban  areas  to  their  advantage;  how  human  activity  disrupts  birds’  behavior;  and  how  birds  serve  as  inspiration  for  human  art  and  creativity.    

www.jonathanbalcombe.com  

 

EXHIBITION THEMES Animal  Welfare  This  body  of  work  is  a  sincere  attempt  to  incite  the  public,  and  especially  Latinos,  to  consider  their  role  in  the  plight  of  animal  welfare  and  ecological  sustainability.      In  the  urban  environment,  birds  are  the  last  vestiges  of  the  wild.  They  live  in  two  worlds,  the  arboreal  and  the  aerial;  not  unlike  many  people,  Latinos  especially,  who  also  straddle  two  realities,  two  identities.  Both  are  the  wild  component:  always  present,  never  annihilated,  and  never  completely  assimilated.  Perea  believes  that  Latinos  in  America  are  more  aware  now  of  their  importance  in  addressing  animal  protection.        Communication  Birds  on  a  Wire  explores  visual  ideas  of  communication  and  connection.  In  an  age  of  tweeting  and  multi-­‐pronged  and  multi-­‐lingual  forms  of  dialogue,  birds  serve  as  fascinating  interpreters  and  reflective  chatterboxes  for  our  world  of  white  noise  and  attempts  to  make  authentic  connections  and  meaningful  conversation.      Yesteryear,  messenger  pigeons  delivered  critical  information  in  wartime.  These  birds  were  selected  because  of  their  innate  need  to  be  with  their  chosen  loved  one.  Separated,  even  across  oceans,  pigeons  would  return  to  their  mate  whilst  carrying  out  their  military  mission.  This  is  not  unlike  Latinos  of  today  who  wire  their  income,  the  fruits  of  their  labor,  back  home  to  their  families  in  need.  Both  species  sacrifice  for  their  families  and  in  some  cases  put  their  life  on  the  line.      Innovation  Our  societies  continue  to  implement  new  ways  to  exchange  products,  services,  and  ideas.  Having  enjoyed  the  benefits  of  these  innovations  -­‐  the  afterglow  -­‐  we  are  presented  with  the  need  to  confront  the  consequences  of  our  choices.  Disenfranchised  people,  for  whom  large  percentages  are  Latino,  as  well  as  the  avian  world,  seem  to  be  particularly  vulnerable  to  the  aftermath  of  innovation.      Take  for  example  our  fascination  with  social  media,  sources  of  constant  updates  and  news  briefs  that  come  to  us  at  all  hours  through  smart  devices.  These  inventions  are  our  modern  ways  to  communicate,  to  keep  lines  open,  to  stay  in  touch;  yet  do  they  make  us  more  or  less  human?  On  the  “cloud”  or  grounded?  Truly  connected?        

   

ABOUT THE ARTIST Rafael   Perea   de   la   Cabada   works   primarily   as   a   visual   artist   who   uses   a   variety   of  mediums  and   processes   to   interact  with   planes   and   spaces  where   the  acts   of   thinking  and   making   merge   seamlessly.   His   concepts   stem   from   political   discomfort,   current  events,   playful   thinking,   humor,   and   gratitude,   which   result   in   what   he   calls   “hybrid  responses  and  artistic  resolutions.”  Cabada  has  exhibited  internationally,  including  most  recently  Kunst  (Art)  and  Film:  Up  to  Date  Art  Exhibition;  International  Contemporary  Art:  RAFAEL  PEREA  DE  LA  CABADA,  Liedberg,  Germany;  and  Alien  Heartland  at  the  Westmont  Ridley-­‐Tree  Museum  of  Art,  Santa  Barbara,  CA.      Rafael   Perea   de   la   Cabada   received   his   MFA   at   the   University   of   California,   Santa  Barbara.   He   was   born   in   Mexico   City,   Mexico   and   currently   lives   and   works   in   Santa  Barbara,  CA.  www.rafaelperea.com  

ABOUT THE museum The   National   Museum   of   Animals   &   Society   (NMAS)   is   the   first   museum   of   its   kind  dedicated   to   enriching   the   lives   of   animals   and   people   by   exploring   our   shared  experience.  Started  in  2010,  NMAS  centers  on  the  living  history  of  the  animal  protection  movement,  animal  studies  (an  examination  of  the  human-­‐animal  bond  through  the  arts  and  sciences),  and  humane  education  in   its  collection,  exhibitions,  public  programming,  and  educational  efforts.  It  will  open  its  all-­‐new  facility  Fall  2015.  museumofanimals.org    National  Museum  of  Animals  &  Society  mailing  address:  PO  Box  26483  /  Los  Angeles,  CA  90026  phone:  323.928.2642    email:  info@museumofanimals.org    

 

 

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES  BRONZE  -­‐  $250  

• Considered  a  founding  member  at  the  Supporter  Level  ($250  -­‐  $499)  and  listed  as  such  on  the  museum’s  website    • Sponsor  website  is  linked  to  through  the  online  exhibit,  eBlast  to  museum  members,  and  Facebook  event  page  • Thanked  on  the  museum’s  social  media  outlets  (Facebook,  Twitter,  Instagram)  in  a  group  ‘shout-­‐out’    • Recognition  on  signage  within  the  physical  exhibition  in  Los  Angeles  

   SILVER  -­‐  $500    

• Above  benefits  AND  considered  a  founding  member  at  Benefactor  Level  ($500  -­‐  $999)  and  listed  as  such  on  the  museum’s  website    • Recognized  in  annual  newsletter  mailed  to  all  current  museum  members  and  supporters    • Verbal  recognition  at  the  Opening  Reception  

 GOLD  -­‐  $1,000    

• Above  benefits  AND  considered  a  founding  member  at  Animals’  Circle  Level  ($1,000  -­‐  $2,499)  and  listed  as  such  on  the  museum’s  website    • Opportunity  to  include  promotional  items  in  VIP  Goody  Bag    • Mention  in  press  releases  and  invitation  to  VIP  Reception  on  Opening  Night,  with  tickets  for  1  

 PLATINUM  -­‐  $2,500    

• Above  benefits  AND  considered  a  founding  member  at  Curator’s  Circle  Level  ($2,500  -­‐  $4,999)  and  listed  as  such  on  the  museum’s  website    • Featured  in  a  specially  commissioned  “donor  wall”  art  piece  at  corresponding  donor  level  • Invited  to  the  VIP  Reception  on  Opening  Night,  with  tickets  for  3.  

     DIAMOND  -­‐  $5,000    

• Above  benefits  AND  considered  a  founding  member  at  Director’s  Circle  Level  ($5,000  -­‐  $9,999)  and  listed  as  such  on  the  museum’s  website  and  within  the  museum  in  Los  Angeles  

• Invited  to  the  VIP  Reception  on  Opening  Night,  with  tickets  for  5.      • Opportunity  to  host  a  private  event/reception  for  20  at  the  museum.  

 UNDERWRITER  -­‐  $10,000    

• Above  benefits  AND  considered  a  founding  member  at  Founder’s  Circle  Level  ($10,000  -­‐  $24,999)  and  listed  as  such  on  the  museum’s  website  and  within  the  museum  in  Los  Angeles    

• Invited  to  the  VIP  Reception  on  Opening  Night,  with  tickets  for  10.    • Publicly  acknowledged  at  all  events  held  during  the  exhibition’s  run  at  the  museum  • Sponsor  logo  included  in  all  exhibition  promotional  materials    • Other  benefits  to  be  discussed  jointly    • Opportunity  to  host  a  private  event/reception  for  50  at  the  museum.  

 

     

 SPONSOR  CONTACT  INFORMATION  Contact  Name:  _________________________________________________________  Title:  _________________________________________________________________  Business/Organization  Name:  _____________________________________________  Address:  ______________________________________________________________  City,  State:  ___________________________________________  Zip:  _____________  Phone:  _______________________________________________________________  E-­‐mail:_______________________________________________________________    Please  select  your  sponsorship  level:  

 $250  –  Bronze                  $500  –  Silver                $1,000  –  Gold                  $2,500  –  Platinum                  

 

$5,000  -­‐  Diamond                  $10,000+  –  Underwriter    Sponsor’s  exact  name  and  website  that  the  museum  should  use  for  promotional  purposes:  Name:___________________________________________________________________________    http://___________________________________________________________________________    EXHIBITION  CREDIT  LINE  Sponsor  will  be  listed  in  the  Exhibition  Credit  Line  (with  logo)  according  to  the  amount  of  its  commitment  relative  to  other    Exhibition  sponsors.  E-­‐mail  a  high-­‐resolution  image  of  your  logo  to  Carolyn  Merino  Mullin,  NMAS  Executive  Director,  at  carolyn@museumofanimals.org.  Questions?  Call  her  at  530.520.5397.    SPONSOR  Sponsor  is  encouraged  to  supplement  the  Museum’s  exhibition  publicity  by  developing  its  own  public  relations  campaign,    using  the  Museum’s  name,  the  Exhibition  Credit  Line  and  images  from  the  Exhibition,  subject  to  any  third-­‐party  rights.    PAYMENT  Payment  is  due  by  August  31,  2015.  Please  send  checks  made  payable  to  the  “NMAS”  to:    

NMAS  │  P.O.  Box  26483  │  Los  Angeles,  CA  │  90026      

 

Pájaros en el Alambre

Birds on a Wire

SPONSORSHIP FORM