Daniela Capistrano’s Artist Residency At The Ace Hotel In 2015

I’m doing a one night residency at the Ace Hotel New York as part of their ‪#‎24BY36‬ series the night of January 30, 2015. I will be making art zines that tell my story/experiences as the founder of POC Zine Project. This will be the first time I’ve ever participated in a publicly promoted event where my public face alone represents the POC Zine Project.

Ever since I founded POCZP in 2010, I’ve always made an effort to not be “the face” of the work. The project was never about promoting myself – it started as a way to share and curate information about zinesters of color. I was always very uncomfortable with being the literal face of POCZP (I talk about why in an interview here) and would avoid interviews and public appearances that intended to center me as a spokesperson. I would pass on opportunities to other POC or include them in opportunities so I wasn’t the only person standing in front of a crowd functioning as a “representative” of POC zinesters (there isn’t one person who can represent all people of color).

After five years of resisting my face/identity being the representation of POCZP, I’m no longer afraid of anyone’s potential misunderstandings or assumptions. I’m taking opportunities tied to POC Zine Project’s work that support my own self-care process and my creative goals. I’m now OK with being the literal face of POC Zine Project in strategic ways that support the sustainability of the project and contribute to my own healing process.

The residency at the Ace Hotel New York is an opportunity for me to give 100 percent of my time and energy for one night into creating zines that help me to reflect on the past four years of running POCZP. I will be sharing these zines in print and online later this year and I look forward to all feedback. The Ace Hotel New York will also be adding the zines to their permanent collection of art.

My upcoming residency at the Ace Hotel New York isn’t my first artist residency. In 2010, I co-organized a 30 day artist residency in Paris with AM, a friend and collaborator. This residency in 2015 will be my first solo residency and I’m looking forward to seeing what I’m capable of creating in one night.

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SUPPORT POC ZINE PROJECT

We’ve been working on ways to remain sustainable in the long term while individually practicing self-care. In the meantime, you can support the cause by sending us a gift of any amount. All funds go to ongoing advocacy costs, the Legacy Series and the poverty zine series. If everyone in our community gave $10, we would more than meet our fundraising goals for 2015.

DONATE link via PayPal: http://bit.ly/SHdmyh

Women’s History Month 2012: ’31 ladies who rock’ countdown! and why AM is amazing

I’m carrying over my spotlight on rad creative ladies in my life into Women’s History Month, which kicks off today!

With dangerous bills out there and oppressive sentiment from right wing radicals saturating the media, I am happy to take the next 30 days to spotlight women in my life who are living their dreams and helping others in the process. Here we go:

AM working on a rooftop in Paris at the historical Marche Malik (2010). Photo by Daniela Capistrano

Who Is She?
AM on the streets, Alice Mizrachi when she’s in curator/social entrepreneur/educator/community organizer mode.

Location
A globetrotter, but she was born and raised in Queens.

Known for
– Incredible murals that incorporate representations of female empowerment and social commentary
– Co-founding Younity in 2007, a global community of women artists who organize shows and events, all while teaching the next generation what goes into the process and how to successfully spread artistic ideas
– Her commissioned work for clients and brands that is informed by her social justice goals, such as her latest collaboration with the CHEVY SONIC Urban Art Project:

Affiliation
I met AM in late 2008, while doing research for a story I was producing for MTV News. I went to a Younity show in Greenpoint (where I finally met graffiti legend and activist Lady Pink!) and was impressed with AM’s professionalism, style and welcoming attitude.

AM and I stayed in touch and in 2010 we decided to create our own artist residency in Paris.

AM's first wheatpaste mission in Paris (2010). Photo by Daniela Capistrano

AM's printmaking workshop with Paris youth at MCV (2010). Photo by Daniela Capistrano

We spent a month living and working together, where I documented Alice’s street art projects and youth workshops on our travel blog Grrrl, We In Paris. Here’s a video I made of our time researching artist squats:

It was an incredible experience (that I am STILL processing) to share physical space with a working artist and to get a fly-on-the-wall look into their creative process from all angles.

Why AM rocks
“Let’s do it.” This is what AM said to me about an hour into our first sit down dinner at a french restaurant in the Lower East Side of New York City. She challenged me to join her in creating our own artist residency in Paris, where we would live and work together — even though she hadn’t seen me in over a year and most of our communication had been through email. That’s her style — she’s bold, creative and isn’t afraid to take risks that further her education and career — like climbing up buildings 😉 She’s living her dreams.

AM adds additional touches to "The Misunderstood Goddess" (2010).
Photo by Daniela Capistrano

I am rarely intimidated by anyone, but after reviewing AM’s work history and learning more about her rep, I was definitely intimidated and it’s part of why I stayed away from her through 2009. But that was stupid. AM has never been anything but 100% supportive of my goals from the moment she’s entered my life and I know I can always reach out to her if I need anything.

I’m inspired pretty much on a daily basis by this woman. Through documenting her experience in Paris, I was forced out of my comfort zones. I faced my fear of heights to climb up on a rooftop with her. I re-evaluated how I defined art as I chased after her on wheatpaste missions. AM is as comfortable doing street art as she is showing in galleries and working with youth as an arts educator. The more she explained her outlook on life to me, the more confidence I felt about creating my own opportunities. She is always giving vocal support to other female artists and is a genuine, down-to-earth and loving person. She’s also a great cook!

AM recently moved into a bigger studio and has several exciting projects unfolding this year. She’s evidence to me that if you put your mind to something and create opportunities for yourself, you can achieve amazing things. Cheers to AM!

If you’re interested in purchasing any of her art (she has affordable options) or commissioning her for a project, contact her at http://am-files.com/.

Here are some photos from our residency. These photos span right before we left for the airport to the end of our time in Paris: