Jonathan VanDyke presentations on observation, mindfulness

Jonathan VanDyke will discuss "The Queer Art of Holding Still" on Monday, Aug. 23, at 6:30 p.m. as part of the Shine a Light speaker series. This free presentation will take place in the Wood Center ballroom and offered via Zoom.

VanDyke is a New York City-based visual artist and performer who conceives of holding still as a generative, active state of being. He draws upon his experiences creating and enacting durational performances, some lasting as long as 48 hours, along with his work being part of and advocating for marginalized communities, including many collaborations with queer-identified performers worldwide. Encompassing video documentation, deep dives into art history, and a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to stand and view a Jackson Pollock painting for 40 hours, VanDyke helps audience members conceptualize how everyone can benefit from long pauses. His research and practice take on special meaning in a year of complex transitions.

VanDyke will also offer a workshop, "Sustained Mindfulness and Observation," at the UA Museum of the North on Thursday, Sept. 2. Advance registration is required. The cost to attend is $20 for museum members and $25 for non-members.

VanDyke is currently a guest faculty member for the UAF undergraduate interdisciplinary program. He studied at the Glasgow School of Art and the University of Glasgow as a Rotary International Fellowship, and earned his MFA from the Milton Avery School at Bard College. Learn more about Jonathan VanDyke here.

Register for the Shine a Light Zoom link (registration closed). Space in the UAF Wood Center ballroom is limited to observe COVID-19 mitigation guidelines. Face coverings for nose and mouth, as well as physical distancing will be enforced. For more information, contact the Nanook Diversity and Action Center at uaf-ndac@alaska.edu or 474-6369.

The Shine a Light: Promoting Conversation on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion program is co-sponsored by the UAF Northwest Campus, Nanook Diversity and Action Center, and the Department of Equity and Compliance. The sessions seek to encourage understanding, build empathy, and engage everyone in thinking critically about our world views.