Thursday, April 14, 2016

About the Event
RMCAD was honored to close out the year’s Humor series by hosting acclaimed artist, writer, and filmmaker Miranda July in an on-stage conversation with local artist and art writer Lanny Frances DeVuono. The discussion focused on July’s use of humor which employs a complexity of emotion that does more than elicit a chuckle – it simultaneously exposes something deep and raw about our humanity by balancing in a liminal space between fragility and the elation granted by laughing at the absurdity of our vulnerability.

About Miranda July
July’s work has been exhibited widely, including at the Museum of Modern Art, the Venice Biennale, and in two Whitney Biennials. July wrote, directed, and starred in two feature-length, award-winning films: The Future and Me and You and Everyone We Know. Her fiction has been published in The Paris Review, The New Yorker, and many other publications, and collected in the book No One Belongs Here More Than You. Her New York Times Bestselling novel The First Bad Man was published last year. July has created a number of interactive works, including web and email-based projects, a geosocial networking app, and her recent participatory performance titled New Society.

About Lanny Frances DeVuono
DeVuono is a Denver-based artist, art writer, and Associate Professor of painting and drawing at the University of Colorado Denver. She received numerous awards for her work, including a Fulbright Fellowship and a Grants for Artist Projects (GAP) Grant. She writes on contemporary art with past publications including Art News and New Art Examiner. Drawings by DeVuono are currently on view at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver through June 5, 2016 in the exhibition titled Critical Focus: Lanny DeVuono.

The VASD Program was proud to partner with Impromptu Company for this event. Learn more about Impromptu Co. here.

Screening THE FUTURE at Alamo Drafthouse
The VASD Program was proud to collaborate with our friends at the Alamo Drafthouse for a special screening of July's film THE FUTURE prior to her appearance at RMCAD. 

Screening Me and You and Everyone We Know
This was a RAMCD community only event.
In collaboration with Fine Arts, Art Education, and Commercial Photography departments, the VASD Program hosted a screening of Miranda July’s first feature film, Me and You and Everyone We Know. 

Additional Events for the RMCAD Community
The artist also be participated in the following events for the RMCAD community: 

Next Day Q&A Luncheon
This was a RMCAD community only event.
RMCAD faculty, staff, and students joined the VASD Program and guest MIRANDA JULY for a casual Q+A session over lunch. This intimate gathering provides an opportunity to further discuss the ideas presented in the previous night's lecture and a place to further engage with our special guest.

Student Session with Miranda July
This was a RMCAD community only event.
A small group of students had the opportunity to meet with VASD Program guest Miranda July for an intimate student session and viewing of the Graduation Exhibition.

Reading List
Additional research materials suggested by July can be found here.

Image credit: Todd Cole