MIXING IT UP Family, Friends and Mentors
CalArts MFA 1 Photo Exhibition
by Sage Paisner
Sol Bentley, Santa Fe, NM (left)
Alissa Alba, Santa Fe, NM (right)
Sage Paisner and Scarlett Widgeon with 4 x 5' silver gelatin b & w prints at CalArts opening of "Mixing It Up"
Sheila Sigesmund Paisner, Winnipeg, MB, Minneapolis, MN, Palm Desert, CA (left)
Hy Paisner, Rossburn, MB, Minneapolis, MN, Palm Desert, CA (right)
Lower Right CalArts Exhibition Hall
Harry Gamboa, Los Angeles, CA (left)
Deago Sanchez, Albuquerque, NM (right)
Lower Left CalArts Exhibition Hall
Center left CalArts Exhibition Hall
Center to Lower Left CalArts Exhibition Hall
Upper Left CalArts Exhibition Hall
Gala, Los Angeles, CA (left)
Brian Rougemont, Santa Fe, NM (right)
Upper left CalArts Exhibition Hall
Sheila and Hy Paisner
Hy Paisner
Sheila Paisner
Orlando, Los Angeles, CA (left)
Charleen Touchette, Santa Fe, NM (right)
“Mixing It Up”
by Sage Paisner
Artist Statement MFA 1
04/06/09
“Mixing It Up” – is about voice, body, representation, identity politics, and the unique multicultural experience that identifies each subject. This body of work consists of large 4x5 foot gelatin silver mural prints of family and friends in Santa Fe and Los Angeles with a sound component involving personal storytelling about culture, food, xenophobia, and racism. 
“The body exists within a larger “body” - a human energy field or aura, which is the vehicle through which one creates her/his experience of reality.” Race is a social construct that has no scientific evidence to fall back on but it does exist in our society. Instead of denying that we are different and trying to assimilate and lose our culture and heritage, we must find our history and our culture through oral tradition and genealogy. America and all patriarchal societies have practiced acculturation and have presented the idea as beneficial, when in reality only the people in power benefit from acculturation. The ideas of the indigenous elders of our sacred mother earth need to be taught along with tolerance for all people. Using my Mom’s text about multicultural revolution I point to many authors and artists that are sometimes ignored because of the patriarchal society and as she challenged the art world to accept all artists and bring more diversity to the art world I again reiterate her challenge for all to hear.
The work also shows the contradictions and humor inherent in a mixed culture. Some food may be part of one culture and forbidden by the other. Food is one of the last bits of culture retained when fully assimilated by any patriarchal society. Food also can bring people close together. Offering to feed someone is one of the most caring gestures a person can offer. Or food can be used as derogatory terms and stereotypes.
Mixing It Up video interview with Matt
The stories also show that language is a metonymy depending on the culture you are coming from language and the meaning and the appropriateness changes from community to community। The challenge is to take your time to listen to people and understand their story and where they come from। The photos reverse the gaze upon the viewer challenging their ideas of representation and who they perceive the person to be."
Sage Paisner, April 2009
Artist Statement MFA 1
04/06/09
“Mixing It Up” – is about voice, body, representation, identity politics, and the unique multicultural experience that identifies each subject. This body of work consists of large 4x5 foot gelatin silver mural prints of family and friends in Santa Fe and Los Angeles with a sound component involving personal storytelling about culture, food, xenophobia, and racism. 
“The body exists within a larger “body” - a human energy field or aura, which is the vehicle through which one creates her/his experience of reality.” Race is a social construct that has no scientific evidence to fall back on but it does exist in our society. Instead of denying that we are different and trying to assimilate and lose our culture and heritage, we must find our history and our culture through oral tradition and genealogy. America and all patriarchal societies have practiced acculturation and have presented the idea as beneficial, when in reality only the people in power benefit from acculturation. The ideas of the indigenous elders of our sacred mother earth need to be taught along with tolerance for all people. Using my Mom’s text about multicultural revolution I point to many authors and artists that are sometimes ignored because of the patriarchal society and as she challenged the art world to accept all artists and bring more diversity to the art world I again reiterate her challenge for all to hear.
The work also shows the contradictions and humor inherent in a mixed culture. Some food may be part of one culture and forbidden by the other. Food is one of the last bits of culture retained when fully assimilated by any patriarchal society. Food also can bring people close together. Offering to feed someone is one of the most caring gestures a person can offer. Or food can be used as derogatory terms and stereotypes.
Mixing It Up video interview with Matt The stories also show that language is a metonymy depending on the culture you are coming from language and the meaning and the appropriateness changes from community to community। The challenge is to take your time to listen to people and understand their story and where they come from। The photos reverse the gaze upon the viewer challenging their ideas of representation and who they perceive the person to be."
Sage Paisner, April 2009
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