The CAC's 'Archive as Action' Exhibition is an Interactive, Instagrammer's Paradise

Housed on the Contemporary Arts Center's second floor gallery, Archive as Action meets three Cincinnati-based artists — Amanda Curreri, Lindsey Whittle and Calcagno Cullen —  at their intersection. Each artists' space is distinct in style yet feels harmonious when seen as a whole. It asks the trio to peer into their own art histories and re-contextualize their work; the work featured is continuously evolving, being added to and reaches beyond the white cube. And part of that evolution is in the community's hands. Throughout the exhibit's run (it closes June 16), participative and open events are slated. From noon-5 p.m. on Thursdays, bring your laptop and grab coffee from the lobby: Coworking with Cal will connect you with Cullen, who has transformed her space into an unconventional office. You can also add to her growing collection of information via one of her interactive displays, like by writing a letter to New York or leaving a voicemail detailing whatever moment you wish to share. In a similar vein, a colorful display of funky shapes — which Whittle says was her biggest challenge to date — asks you to play around with their arrangement. Take them off the wall, figure out how to wear them, make your own. It's up to you. You can send your results to Whittle via social media. From noon-4 p.m. on weekdays,  you may hear the hum of a sewing machine — that'd be Curreri's "RopeWalk" crew. On the back wall hang braided strands of rope made from recycled material. You can add to that growing collection, which will convene as a performance art event and part of the This Time Tomorrow festival in April. Participants will come together to create multi-colored ropes that will span the Purple People Bridge, a site that’s connected to the history of slavery and acts as a dividing line between the North and South; the walk is meant to represent public healing. Events and performances will run through the exhibit; check contemporaryartscenter.org for more info.  
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Lindsey Whittle's "Hook and Loop Work (in a Mylar Room)"
Lindsey Whittle's "Hook and Loop Work (in a Mylar Room)"
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"Atrium of Window Clings" is a celebration of the other two artists' in the exhibit, Amanda Curreri and Calcagno Cullen; two of the fabric prints in the colorful display stem from images Whittle made of Curreri's work, the other is from Cullen's.
"Atrium of Window Clings" is a celebration of the other two artists' in the exhibit, Amanda Curreri and Calcagno Cullen; two of the fabric prints in the colorful display stem from images Whittle made of Curreri's work, the other is from Cullen's.
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Since 2004, Whittle has used her body to bring art into her daily life. She has made clothes (and wears them) from unusual fabrics, like paper, Tyvek and Neoprene, as shown here.
Since 2004, Whittle has used her body to bring art into her daily life. She has made clothes (and wears them) from unusual fabrics, like paper, Tyvek and Neoprene, as shown here.
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A close-up
A close-up
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Whittle used The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County's laser cutter (at their Maker Space) to create this colorful "Interlocking Acrylic."
Whittle used The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County's laser cutter (at their Maker Space) to create this colorful "Interlocking Acrylic."
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"RopeWalk" is an ongoing art project in which visitors can participate. On weekdays from noon-4 p.m., a crew made up of University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning students and alumni will be creating long, braided and colorful strands of rope.
"RopeWalk" is an ongoing art project in which visitors can participate. On weekdays from noon-4 p.m., a crew made up of University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning students and alumni will be creating long, braided and colorful strands of rope.
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Amanda Curreri and two members of the "RopeWalk" crew, Mahnaz Amin Foroughi (right) and Kate Gibson. Visit them from noon-4 p.m. on weekdays to make your own contribution.
Amanda Curreri and two members of the "RopeWalk" crew, Mahnaz Amin Foroughi (right) and Kate Gibson. Visit them from noon-4 p.m. on weekdays to make your own contribution.
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A detail shot of some of the strands made for "RopeWalk"
A detail shot of some of the strands made for "RopeWalk"
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Above the "RopeWalk" work tables is a piece titled "Lullabies are for Children," which is made up of colorful bobbins on sumi ink-stained shelves. It's meant to parallel Audre Lorde's poem "The Same Death Over and Over or Lullabies for Children," in her 1978  book The Black Unicorn.
Above the "RopeWalk" work tables is a piece titled "Lullabies are for Children," which is made up of colorful bobbins on sumi ink-stained shelves. It's meant to parallel Audre Lorde's poem "The Same Death Over and Over or Lullabies for Children," in her 1978 book The Black Unicorn.
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The CAC's 'Archive as Action' Exhibition is an Interactive, Instagrammer's Paradise
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"Over and Over" is made with used jeans, thread, coins and rope
"Over and Over" is made with used jeans, thread, coins and rope
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"Over and Over," is made with used jeans, thread, coins and rope
"Over and Over," is made with used jeans, thread, coins and rope
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Gibson sewing it up at "RopeWalk"
Gibson sewing it up at "RopeWalk"
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A closer view of "Hook and Loop Work (in a Mylar Room)"
A closer view of "Hook and Loop Work (in a Mylar Room)"
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In the piece's description, Whittle calls "Welded Shape" her biggest art risk to date. The shape is made up of 12 smaller shapes. The cool thing? Guests are welcome to take this apart, figure out how to wear it and compose their own shape.
In the piece's description, Whittle calls "Welded Shape" her biggest art risk to date. The shape is made up of 12 smaller shapes. The cool thing? Guests are welcome to take this apart, figure out how to wear it and compose their own shape.
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The CAC's 'Archive as Action' Exhibition is an Interactive, Instagrammer's Paradise
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On Thursdays, visitors can drop by "Coworking with Cal" from noon-5 p.m. Bring your laptop. Grab a cup of coffee. Connect.
On Thursdays, visitors can drop by "Coworking with Cal" from noon-5 p.m. Bring your laptop. Grab a cup of coffee. Connect.
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Cal Cullen's niche of the exhibition space
Cal Cullen's niche of the exhibition space
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A typewriter on the work table's desk
A typewriter on the work table's desk
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Close up of colorful window reflections at the entrance of the CAC
Close up of colorful window reflections at the entrance of the CAC
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