Oregon Contemporary is thrilled to present a third viewing of Bean Gilsdorf's “Epistemics for Artists.” First performed as part of the 2024 Oregon Contemporary Artists’ Biennial, the event was at capacity and our audiences urged for more viewings. Presented offsite at the partner location of Portland Institute for Contemporary Art, Gilsdorf's experimental lecture performance captivated audience members.

“Epistemics for Artists” enmeshes facts, figures, memes, and clichés about the arts with key theories from psychology, philosophy, and linguistics. Gilsdorf unpacks the concept of being “epistemically adrift”— a term originally coined for mood disorders that can be used to illuminate how artists have become patently alienated from the fruits of their own labor. Engaging with current research on the effects of artistic production, Gilsdorf invites the audience to consider the relationship between artist, community, and city. This program builds on her groundbreaking 2021 city-wide study “Seeing Visual Artists,” as well as her experience as an artist and arts writer.

Note: Please arrive on time. There will be no entry once the performace has started.