Third Space | The concept of the third space has been used as a sociocultural term to designate communal space, as distinct from the home (first space) or work (second space). The third space has been defined as a nightclub or sports arena or museum where the individual can experience a transformative sense of self, identity and relation to others. -3SN

We are made of relationships, both human and non human alike. Every past, present and future encounter shapes who we are, and who we are becoming. The way we move through the world shapes others and our environment. This happens both on a micro and macro level, but it is not always clear. The slight shift in a person’s eyes while turning in love, can explode the boundaries of the one their gaze is directed at. And in that same love, the breaking of trust can send shockwaves through the receiver, and all the precious gifts you gave, come back to you, stuffed into a small insignificant bag. We are malleable beings. We can be cherished and cradled delicately, broken to pieces-splayed out across the floor, but we can always be repaired, ready to invite love in, when we are open to it, and ready to accept it.

To be in a community, is to share responsibility. We create 3rd spaces to be accountable to one another’s truths. Here, we can love openly, restlessly-or-simply-loiter, feel rooted and secure, make others feel welcomed, and trust that when we leave, we have experienced something greater than ourselves.  

how we shape each other brings together 16 artists, each with their own story to share. None of these stories are carved out with a beginning, middle or end. They are all a continuation of something that came before. We can experience them now, determine how they relate to one another, feel how they compare to our own, but once we do this, when we walk away, our story has already changed, and so has theirs.

During the month of February the MAC will be exhibiting a curated group of artwork donated by the well-known Hollywood screenwriters, Janet and David Peoples. This exhibit will be accompanied by a digital archive showing the complete collection of available donated artwork. 

David and Janet Peoples are known for their work on films such as Blade Runner, 12 Monkeys, The Blood of Heroes, and Unforgiven among others. This donation was generously provided to support the ongoing mission of the MAC.

Darkness can be heavy and frightening, the feeling of being shut out from all things familiar. The path forward is not clear, we reach out our arms in search of something to hold onto, something that can make us feel safe. But even if, while reaching into the abyss we are able to take hold of a thing, seize it, caress it and convince ourselves, it is indeed what we were so desperately searching for, we feel unmoored. 

Would if, when faced with darkness, the unknowing, we just sat, waited, until the murkiness of it all settled, the absence of something felt less scary. Bearing the abundance, we let our anxiety resolve. What potential may arise, if we were just still, patient in our convictions. Would if instead of seeking some kind of light, we planted ourselves firmly in the shadows, in the infinitude of the unknowing, until maybe, something reached out to us, or better yet, gave us time to grow. 

-Dav

Fertile darkness is a collection of work, ephemera, and indexical marks by Elizabeth Rivera

Aina Smart-Truco, Gina Rae La Cerva, Hanna-Katarina Edwards, Isabel DuBois, Jess Cheng, Margaret Seelie, Mirabelle Jones, Tamara Murphy, Tasha Bjelic.