NOW-FRIENDS (artists collaborative) Lead Artist: Gina Von Hartmann, Supporting Artist: Jamey Ponte
In 2021 I experienced the historic heat dome of the Pacific Northwest in the U.S. I now know what 114°f feels like, and how it affects vegetation that is not suited for such heat. Our lemon tree withered and died within a single day. Throughout the neighborhoods, people placed umbrellas over their plants to no avail. I felt as though I had seen the future.
The U.S. city of Phoenix, Arizona has considered painting their streets white to combat the extreme heat. As we reach one of the hottest years on record for the planet, I thought about what shelter means.The theme of Subsequently is conceptual in nature. It’s a glimpse of our future, possibly one not far away. As a species it may come to pass that we will no longer be able to live above ground. This is represented by an idea of the door to the underground with welcome printed mockingly across its surface. Above we hang white robes to be worn on the surface as you leave the dwelling. Their physical purpose is solely to reflect the heat. We now only can walk beneath veils of white to make our way across the terrain. There is a parallel theme in the work that our existence on earth is becoming that of ghosts as well as everything around us. We are watching as the glaciers melt and flora & fauna rapidly go extinct. The robes are there not only to shelter us, but also represent our fate as we ourselves become ghosts on the horizon.
To sustain our existence we have to use our ability to heal ourselves and our relationship to one another and to the world. Our world is continually changing. During our time here we have to decide what side of that change we want to be on. We have to keep questioning our role in society, our importance, validity, and responsibility. But we first have to pause, stand in silence, and listen to what is inside. – GVH
Lead Artist: Gina Von Hartmann, Supporting Artist: Jamey Ponte
Von Hartmann & Ponte have worked together for over 25 years on multiple projects. Most recently on a 3 city 2 country traveling Art Exhibition of 32 Artists from 11 countries & 8 U.S. states. Their first project together in 1998 was the design & construction of Antenna Arts Artist Residency House in Cincinnati, OH & today they are working on a similar project in Kenya, sharing their ideas & skills.
Ponte has over 30 years of experience in creative design & construction of indoor & outdoor art spaces & sculptural works. Ponte specializes in commissioned outdoor shelter spaces & artful interiors. Currently he is working on three large projects of his own. He is restoring a 100 year old urban farm house into an artist residency and artfully designed house gallery. In the same Cincinnati, OH neighborhood he is working in a 110 year old church creating a community center which houses a gallery, meeting space & coffee house revitalizing the building as well as the congregation. In Ponte’s current home country of Kenya he has founded the Kibera Arts District a 10yr dream & project. Taking 5 plus buildings & reconstructing them into creative spaces for teaching, artist studios & galleries. Creating a true art movement by bringing the creative communities together. The project opens September 2023 with a community parade and celebration of the local artists. Ponte considers himself a creative, not only of physical spaces & traditional art, but of time based performance; bringing people together crossing cultural boundaries to start dialogues of healing and change in both social and environmental issues through artfully presented gatherings.
Von Hartmann has 30 plus years working as an artist & in the art world. She shares the same philosophy as Ponte refusing the label “Artist” and instead going by Creative. Von Hartmann’s time is split between drawing, writing, mixed media, curating, & and performance work. She works in both traditional forms and installation ecosystems. Please explore this site to learn more.