Jason Kartez: Mobile Graphics Lab
Jason Kartez was the first of three new Artist-in-Residents threaded together by the theme of nourishment. “Nourished” was a curatorial project inspired by Dominique Moody’s “Our Garden of Dreams,” a mobile community garden completed at the end of 2018. These three new and exciting artists were hosted at Side Street Projects for one month. Each led workshops and created a project that nourishes body, creativity, shelter, nature, identity, and community.
Artist-in-Residence, Jason Kartez, created a Mobile Graphics Lab. The Lab was a completely portable teaching station and comics classroom equipped with the materials used for the creation of graphics. The project retooled the idea of cookbooks and intergenerational dialogue by using comics as a medium to share knowledge about food and culture. Whether new recipes or old recipes handed down for generations, the mobile graphics lab helped participants exchange and share their cultural heritage and history through food and comic books. This project brought together the best parts of Side Street Project - community building, creativity, mobility, culture, and sustenance.
WORKSHOPS
Adventures In Getting Well
Saturday, February 9, 2019
11am - 1pm
@ Side Street Projects
For this comics workshop participants brought a family recipe that can be used for curing a cold or supporting general health. Participants created a comic book page that will include a short personal story about the mysterious medicinal and healing powers of food.
The Incredible Green$
Sub workshop: bring a t-shirt to screen print the Side Street logo on your shirt!
Saturday, February 16, 2019
11am - 1pm
@ Side Street Projects
For this comics workshop participants focused on the economics of food. From food deserts to eating well on a budget, this workshop generated a conversation about food inequality. Participants created a comic book page that shares their personal story about budgeting and healthy eating. At the end of the workshop, participants were able to screen print the Side Street logo on the shirts that they brought.
Closing Celebration
Saturday, February 23, 2019
2pm - 5pm
@ Side Street Projects
Marvel You-niverse
Saturday, March 2, 2019
9am - 11am
@ Pasadena Central Library
For this comics workshop participants were asked to bring their favorite recipe from home. Pasadena Public Library’s collection of cook books were also utilized for this workshop. Participants created a comic book page using their recipe as inspiration in sharing memories and the joy of eating their favorite food.
Recipe Origin Story
Saturday, March 9, 2019
11am - 1pm
@ Side Street Projects
For this comics workshop participants were asked to bring a family recipe that has been passed down for at least two generations. Participants created an origin story that will include the family recipe and family history. The workshop ended with participants sharing their comic pages and learning new recipes and stories.
BIO
Originally from Freeport Maine Jason Kartez is an interdisciplinary artist living in Los Angeles California. Kartez holds an M.F.A. from University of Wisconsin Madison and a B.F.A. from Alfred University. Kartez’s art career has spanned such media as glass, sculpture, performance, neon, comics, wood and printmaking. Kartez has taught comics at the University of Wisconsin Madison and was the Horatio Alger Jr. Fellow for the study of American Pop Culture at Northern Illinois University. As an artist Kartez’s primary concern is the investigation of popular culture and the shadow cast by it. Jason also holds a deep love of food and its ability to be a mechanism for understanding, joy, and engagement.
