cortex: a multidisciplinary event
 
The CORTEX project strives to bring together artists from a variety of disciplines to interact with each other’s work, in order to build collaborative relationships between individuals and art forms. What is created is dependent entirely upon the desires of the individuals involved – some will choose to create work alone, in response to the work presented by another artist or artists; some may choose to be more active in collaborations, and create new work together that transcends their individual disciplines. All artists involved in CORTEX will have the opportunity to view (or hear) samples of each other’s work in advance (via a web site and through direct contact). Using these samples as inspiration, each artist has the opportunity to create new work(s) based on what they have seen, read, or heard. Alternately, artists can work directly with each other in pairs or larger groups to create a collaborative work specifically for the CORTEX event. In addition, participant artists can “pair” existing work to material they feel drawn to from the work of another artist. Readings are incorporated into the Opening Reception/Performance; music, movement, or video performance could accompany the reading, as determined by advance collaborations between the artists, or by invitation, if the reader would like improvisational accompaniment. The visual art produced for this event is displayed along side printed texts of the poetry that inspired it (or that is otherwise paired with it). Still images of video work are mounted and presented with explanatory notes and/or with visual or poetic works that inspired it. Musicians, dancers, and videographers participating in CORTEX have the opportunity to create new short works in response the samples provided on the web site, in addition to providing improvisational accompaniment to the poetry readings. These new works would also be performed at various points throughout the Opening Reception. We would like to thank the following organizations for their assistance in making CORTEX 2007 a reality: CORTEX is a self-funded project; that is, we do not receive any funding from government agencies or granting bodies. As a result, this event would not exist without the support of our sponsors and friends, who have provided CORTEX with the material and financial assistance to make this project work, and to allow the curators to pay the participants exhibition and performance fees. THANK YOU!!!