RED LIGHT


IDOLWILD presents RED LIGHT, a group exhibition that delves into the realm of pleasure-centric themes of empowerment and erotic symbolism. The exhibit is  inspired by the spirit of the ‘Dragon’ of Lunar New Year and the celebration of ‘romance, intimacy and new beginnings’ synonymous with Valentine’s Day. 

Featured artists include Pure Filth Society, Molly Segal, Trevor Coopersmith, Leysa Godfrey, Kuang Chu, Sadie Robison, Naomi White, Mei Xian Qiu, Shreya Chengappa and Margie Schnibbe with a performance by Colton James White on opening night. Also performing by appointment is The Art Dominatrix, Sundays, March 17 and 24, 2024. Red Light will be on view February 17 through March 29, 2024. The opening reception will take place Saturday, February 17 from 5:00 to 9:00 pm. 

The thematic foundation of “Red Light” is rooted in the captivating allure of siren songs, serving as a nuanced reference to attractions that are both enticing and potentially cautionary. The exhibition explores dualities, investigating carnal experiences while concurrently embodying the seductive allure that can evoke emotions of unbridled desire and love. Through a curated selection of multidisciplinary artworks, “Red Light” seeks to comprehensively embrace these diverse sentiments, providing viewers with an immersive experience aimed at fostering deeper enlightenment.

Graphic Design for CalArts Reject Film Video Screening 1996

in 1996 my film school pal Chelsea Bonacello organized this screening in the Bijou Theater at CalArts for all those films that were too underground weird wild for the faculty curated student showcase. I made this design for the posters and tshirts. Recently I mentioned to Chelsea that this may have been the first queer film festival at CalArts. Does anyone know?

Blendr (2012)

It’s Sunday morning. I’m horny. I need to hook up right away. I install a new app on my iPhone. Twenty minutes later I’m having multiple conversations. Two hours later I’m on the number 4 bus heading east on Sunset. Ten minutes later I’m in Echo Park. He picks me up in his Prius and drives me to his house in the hills. He does not look anything like his picture but that’s okay. He is athletic, clean, friendly. 

YES I HAD TOLD HIM THAT I LIKE TO WATCH

NO HE HAD TOLD ME THAT I COULD NOT FILM HIM

He offers me wine and opens something red and expensive. We drink.

I EXERCISE GREAT CAUTION WITH STRANGERS

I ONLY ACCEPT DRINKS FROM SEALED BOTTLES

He has the kind of house that only a person with a real job has. Renovated. Art directed. Furniture that costs money. Designer dogs with designer collars.

HE IS INTUITIVE AND CAN READ MY THOUGHTS

HE TELLS ME THAT HE IS NOT GAY

We drink a little more. Slowly. Warming up. Making chit-chat. Chitty-chit-chat. You work here. I work there. Breaking the ice blah blah blah.

WE ARE KINDRED SPIRITS EXHIBITIONISTS VOYEURS

WE SENSE THAT WE CAN TRUST EACH OTHER

For money I used to dance for men. For money I was paid to watch men play with their penises and get themselves off. This all happened a very very long time ago.

TODAY I AM STILL VERY MUCH ATTRACTED TO THIS PERVERSION

For money he used to dance for women. For money he was paid to watch women play with their pussies and get themselves off. This all happened a very very long time ago.

TODAY HE IS STILL VERY MUCH ATTRACTED TO THIS PERVERSION

THE SHOW BEGINS HE TELLS ME TO WATCH

HE STANDS AND STRIPS NAKED FOR ME

He touches himself. I touch myself. We take it to opposite ends of the couch. Reclining. Naked. Hairless. Eyes locked on faces and genitals. One toe brushes the other and that is all. I come three times.  

I SAY HOW DO WE WANT TO END THIS

DO YOU WANT TO FUCK

HE SAYS SPIT ON MY BALLS

I come again and wait for him.

MARGIE SCHNIBBE

Further reading: what was Blendr?

Fact or Fiction? Truth or Lies? Bard AI: An Experiment by Google and/or Bard AI Makes Me Look So Good!

5/2/23
prompt: write artist statement for Margie Schnibbe visual artist margieschnibbe.com

Draft 1
Margie Schnibbe is a visual artist, filmmaker, writer, and performer who lives and works in Los Angeles, California. Her work is characterized by its bold, expressive use of color and its exploration of themes of gender, sexuality, and the body.

Schnibbe’s paintings are often large-scale and gestural, with thickly applied paint that creates a sense of movement and energy. She often uses bright, saturated colors to create a sense of exuberance and joy. Her subject matter is often drawn from her own life and experiences, and she frequently depicts herself and her friends and family in her work.

Schnibbe’s films are also personal and autobiographical in nature. She often uses her own life as a starting point for exploring larger themes of gender, sexuality, and the body. Her films are often experimental in form, and she frequently uses found footage and other non-traditional materials in her work.

Schnibbe’s writing is also deeply personal and autobiographical. She has written several books of poetry and essays, and her work often explores themes of gender, sexuality, and the body. Her writing is honest and unflinching, and she is not afraid to explore difficult subjects.

Schnibbe’s performances are often participatory and interactive. She frequently invites audience members to participate in her work, and she creates a sense of community and intimacy in her performances. Her performances are often playful and humorous, but they can also be serious and thought-provoking.

Schnibbe’s work is diverse and multi-faceted, but it is always honest, personal, and expressive. She is a powerful artist who uses her work to explore important themes of gender, sexuality, and the body. She is a force to be reckoned with, and her work is sure to continue to challenge and inspire audiences for years to come.

Draft 2
Margie Schnibbe is a visual artist, filmmaker, writer, and performer. She has been exhibiting her artwork, screening her movies, and creating experimental performances in galleries, film festivals, museums, and alternative spaces nationally for over thirty years.

Schnibbe’s work is characterized by its wit, humor, and emotional honesty. She often explores themes of gender, sexuality, and identity in her work. Her paintings, sculptures, films, and performances are all infused with her unique perspective on the world.

Schnibbe is a prolific artist who has produced a body of work that is both challenging and accessible. Her work has been praised by critics and audiences alike. She is a respected figure in the art world and her work continues to be exhibited and screened around the world.

In her artist statement, Schnibbe writes:

“My art is a way for me to explore the world around me and to make sense of my own experiences. I am interested in the ways in which we construct our identities and the ways in which our identities are shaped by the world around us. My work often deals with themes of gender, sexuality, and power. I am also interested in the ways in which art can be used to challenge social norms and to create new possibilities for the future.”

Schnibbe’s work is a powerful force for social change. She uses her art to challenge stereotypes and to give voice to those who are often marginalized. Her work is an inspiration to many and she continues to be a leading figure in the art world.

Draft 3
Margie Schnibbe is a visual artist, filmmaker, writer, and performer who lives and works in Los Angeles, California. For over thirty years, she has exhibited her artwork, screened her films, and created experimental performances in galleries, film festivals, museums, and alternative spaces nationally and internationally.

Schnibbe’s work is characterized by its use of humor, irony, and self-reflection. She often explores themes of gender, sexuality, and the body in her work. Her films, for example, often feature characters who are struggling with their identities and their place in the world. Schnibbe’s performances are also often humorous and self-deprecating, and she frequently uses her own body as a canvas for her work.

Schnibbe’s work has been praised for its originality, its wit, and its emotional honesty. She has been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions at numerous galleries and museums, including the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles; the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; and the Centre Pompidou, Paris. Her films have been screened at numerous film festivals, including the Sundance Film Festival, the Berlin International Film Festival, and the Toronto International Film Festival.

Schnibbe is a recipient of numerous awards and grants, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship, and a Creative Capital Award. She is a professor of art at the University of California, Los Angeles.

In her artist statement, Schnibbe writes:

“My work is about the human experience. I am interested in the ways in which we are all connected, despite our differences. I believe that art can be a powerful tool for understanding ourselves and the world around us. My goal is to create work that is both beautiful and thought-provoking, and that can help us to see the world in a new way.”

Schnibbe’s work is a valuable contribution to the contemporary art world. She is a talented artist who is unafraid to explore difficult and challenging subjects. Her work is both thought-provoking and visually stunning, and it is sure to continue to resonate with audiences for years to come.

https://bard.google.com