This Is Now  is the first phase of an art exchange between Antenna, an art collective based in New Orleans, LA and ICOSA collective of Austin, TX. Selected by Vladimir Mejia, the exhibition introduces Austin to the work of 13 members of the Antenna Collective. In turn, Antenna will present the work of members of the ICOSA collective in a show to be held at Antenna in January of 2023. The first exhibition of this two-city art exchange is comprised of a diversity of works from: Amanda Cassingham-Bardwell, Amelia Broussard, Angel Perdomo, AnnieLaurie Erickson, Caesar Meadows, Kai Lumumba Barrow, Laura Gipson, MaPó Kinnord, Nic Brierre Aziz, Renee Royale, Rontherin Ratliff, Stylo Moniker, Ursa Eyer. While over 500 miles separate the two artist collectives, the common goal to support their fellow artists and share their community’s creative output brings them together.

A note from the curator: “Working as an artist and curator for the better part of the last decade independently and collaboratively, I’ve learned to appreciate the power of a collective. I believe that one of the greatest qualities of the Austin art scene is the collaborative spirit that so many of us creators that live here cherish. I am encouraged to know that same sentiment exists in New Orleans and beyond. To me, art is at its best when it can foster a sense of community and free exchange of ideas. My focus is on supporting artists by identifying their vision and finding creative ways to make the work accessible to viewers of all backgrounds. Through this exchange, I hope to highlight the range and diversity of the mediums and subject matters being addressed in the practices of Antenna Collective members. I’m very grateful to be entrusted with selecting and presenting a snippet of amazing works created by the talented artist from Antenna Collective at ICOSA and hope that this experience can help us all create and grow new connections between our two creative communities.”

About the Curator

Vladimir Mejia is an artist, curator, board member of Co-Lab Projects and co-founder of the artist collective rossie dustin based out of Austin, Texas. He received his BFA in Studio Art from the University of Texas in 2014. His artistic practice, while rooted in conceptual art, attempts to incorporate elements that make his pieces relatable to audiences versed in art history and those who may be unfamiliar with it. His solo work has been exhibited at spaces including Black Mountain Project, Pump Project, ICOSA and 500x. He has curated physical exhibitions such as Vuelca Mapas by Jay Roff-Garcia for Fusebox Festival 2022 and Adrian Armstrong’s High’s and Lo-Fi’s at Co-Lab Projects in 2019. His curatorial practice also includes the monthly Instagram residency #bitres for Co-Lab Projects, a local artist-run nonprofit organization dedicated to providing resources, education, and exhibition space to artists that produce contemporary works of art, installation, and performance.