NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                   

Press contact: Amanda Holder                         

Phone: (831) 775-4725, Email: aholder@steinbeck.org

Artist: Kira Carrillo Corser (510) 684-4651-cell or (831) 998-8406 home Email: kiracorser@gmail.com

 

"MARRIAGE AND MYTH ­ MATRIMONIO Y MITO"

An exhibition by Kira Carrillo Corser, runs April 12 through July 6, 2008

Opening Reception Friday, April 11 6:00 ­ 8:00 p.m. at the National Steinbeck Center

 

March 31, 2008 Salinas, CA ­ The National Steinbeck Center presents the exhibition "Marriage and Myth ­ Matrimonio y Mito" from April 12 through July 6, 2008 at One main Street, Salinas, CA.  This art exhibition features painting, photography, video with original music by Laura Dare, painted silks, and the installation "A Bed of Fragile Opposites" by artist Kira Carrillo Corser and text from Monterey County residents exploring new and traditional beliefs about marriage.

Half of all marriages end in divorce and over the last three decades the rate of remarriage after divorce dropped by 40 percent, yet few artists address this crisis in their art. This show is about contemporary beliefs about marriage, with Corser's personal experience being at the core. What happens when our beliefs and experiences clash? The show includes painted photographs and 10-foot paintings on silk, a video by the artist titled "Hands Talk: For Better or for Worse" and interactive installations such as a community piece about marriage titled "Walls of Belief" with cards showing only the age and gender of the person commenting.

Corser strives to use art to promote public dialogue and bring questions to the surface. Perhaps divorce is not a failure, but a normal transition in our contemporary culture? Are we ignoring the fact that millions change marriage partners almost as often as careers? What about Gay marriage? Do you see a difference between your generation and others? Corser asks these questions and more with her work as she includes her own experience and the voices and experiences of others.

The public is cordially invited to an Opening Reception with the Artist on Friday, April 11 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.  There will be live music by La Campanella, tasty treats from Chef Todd Food Concepts and talks by the artist and National Steinbeck Center Curator of Exhibitions and Collections Deborah Silguero.  Enjoy a wedding waltz performance and wedding cake will be served.  Wedding attire is encouraged.  The reception is free and open to the public. There will be a no host wine bar for those 21 and over, plus door prizes and member giveaways. For more information visit www.steinbeck.org or call (831) 775 ­ 4721. 

 "Romantic books and movies don't prepare us for the reality of marriage. No one ever mentioned that happiness is hard work. From the time we were children we were raised on the words, 'And they lived happily ever after.' " says Deborah Silguero, Curator of Exhibitions and Collections in her curatorial statement.

For over 20 years, Kira Carrillo Corser's exhibitions with poet Frances Payne Adler have brought the voices and faces of those struggling for recovery and health care to legislators and public spaces.  She has effectively and artistically influenced policy makers and community activists. Her current work about Marriage grew from her MFA thesis from John F. Kennedy University in Berkeley in 2006 and now includes statements and images from Greenfield, Salinas, Monterey, and other communities. In order to protect the privacy of the contributors, names are not given. Corser pulls imagery from personal recovery and includes private interviews about changing beliefs on marriage.

One young Salinas woman says, "I wasn't raised on false fairy tales.  My culture puts a lot of pressure on me.  Every time I talk to my dad he says, 'When are you getting married?' he says,  'it's (my) duty as a woman to have children and get married.'  I tell him, 'I'm not sure I want to have children, maybe I'll adopt.  I'm not sure what I'm doing.'  The males get less pressure than the women."

Corser's work has shown nationally, including exhibiting in state capital buildings, universities, galleries, and the U.S. Senate and Congress. She has been awarded grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the California Arts Council. She works as Arts and Education Director for the Arts Council for Monterey County while pursuing her art.

Beginning April 12, the exhibition is included with museum admission.  General admission is $10.95 for adults, with discounts for seniors, students, children and groups.   The museum is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM.  For more information visit www.steinbeck.org or call (831) 775 ­ 4721. 

              This exhibition at the National Steinbeck Center is supported in part by Public Programs Sponsors: Alvarez Technology Group, Inc.; Full Steam Marketing & Design; Kennedy, Archer, & Harray; Pacific Gas and Electric Company; Penguin Group USA; Rabobank; Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System.

Sponsor of the Month:Growers Express

 

                                  

  Penguin Group (USA)                    

 

###

 

 

Amanda

 

Amanda Holder
Director of Marketing

National Steinbeck Center
1 Main St.
Salinas, CA  93901

(831) 796-3833
(831) 775-4725 (direct)

aholder@steinbeck.org
www.steinbeck.org
______________________________