Greetings SOTA listeners! This week, the news and critical topic are combined in the wake of the disappearance of an installation Desert X exhibition. Vandalism and theft of public art is no uncommon occurrence when objects are placed in the public sphere and the Twin Cities has encountered these issues in recent history as well. Why even put up public art, especially temporary installations, if they’re vulnerable? We then bring you an interview with local artist, Sophia Songmi, whose work approaches difficult dichotomies: the artists’ identity as both Chinese and Korean, subversive media messaging and patriarchal power, and self-sacrifice versus self care.

References:

“Desert X Sculpture by Eric N. Mack Vanishes Under Mysterious Circumstances” – Artnews

Sophia Songmi’s Website