Philadelphia, PA, October 21, 2019 — The Fabric Workshop and Museum (FWM) has been granted $265,000 in funding from the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage in support of Dust to Dust, a project by artists Mary Reid Kelley and Patrick Kelley exploring the global crisis of climate change. Synthesizing performance, film, costuming, and immersive installation, Dust to Dust—the culmination of a two-year residency—will spur the artists to explore the theatrical essence of their practice, allow FWM to further experiment with the presentation of performance in its exhibition spaces, and inspire audience reflection on its timely themes. The project is to be staged across two gallery floors at The Fabric Workshop and Museum, and will open in September 2021.
The artists were selected by FWM’s distinguished Artist Advisory Committee and Executive Director Susan L. Talbott. As Talbott stated, “Mary Reid Kelley and Patrick Kelley’s project will be groundbreaking for FWM, and arguably for all art spaces that champion performative works. Their films evoke the real-time spontaneity of actors—enhanced by FWM’s deep material knowledge in costuming—and the gallery experience will be akin to viewing a performance from the stage. We expect the result to provide a powerful encounter that invites multiple viewings.” FWM Exhibitions Manager Alec Unkovic will serve as chief curator for the project.
“We are grateful for this support from the Pew Center and the opportunity to work with FWM in order to realize our vision for Dust to Dust,” added Mary Reid Kelley. “Embracing FWM’s mission, centered around experimentation and collaboration, this project will allow us to explore new technology and the dynamic potential of performance and narrative in bringing attention to a critical topic.”
Artists-in-Residence Mary Reid Kelley and Patrick Kelley are known for arresting, playful, erudite performances and videos. Drawing on literary and historical material, their projects involve intensive research and critical reassessments of historical narratives. Their work has been exhibited at institutions that include the Tate Liverpool, Tate Modern, and Hammer Museum. Mary Reid Kelley’s honors include MacArthur and Guggenheim Foundation Fellowships.