These Are Our Tools

December 1-20, 2023

Artist: Yvonne Shortt

Special thanks to confirmed audience members: 

Sara-Jane Ripa
Daria Dorosh
Winnie Vanderrijn
Enmy Uribe
Jisu Sheen
Sujani Reddy
Katherine Toukhy
Suzanne Bybee

Studio Team:

Yvonne Shortt
Rebecca West
Joel Esquite

As part of EFA Project Space’s 2023 final project on the theme of Sites of Ex/hibition, Artist Yvonne Shortt puts forth the idea that objects on the wall are not the art; they are tools, vehicles, or archives of the art. Artist Shortt proposes she, the conversations, the ideas, her actions before/during/after the creation of the objects are the art. Shortt then asks, how can the exhibition space help facilitate the creation of art as she defines it? Using tools she’s created to go in the space and working with visitors she’s preselected as collaborators, Shortt will explore these questions while at EFA Project Space.

If the art isn’t the objects on the wall, how can the exhibition space be used as a conduit for the creation of art? How can the location of the space and its surrounding community, factor into the creation of the art? How can the preselection of certain visitors as collaborators facilitate in answering Shortt’s guiding questions?

The investigation will happen the first three weeks in December on the 10th floor of The Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts (323 West 39 Street, NYC), studio 1005. Tools will change and become conversation and creation facilitators, visitors and the artists will act as one, and the conversations and energy will flow.

Those not preselected but wish to visit or learn more should email Yvonne: workshopofshortt@gmail.com 

Exploring Rock, Soil, and Cave Drawings

Open to participants via RSVP: Wednesday, December 20, 12-4 PM

Participants will work with soil/ rock, create pigment, draw, and converse together in a small intimate setting.

-Maximum 3 participants
-Must be able to commit to 4 hours (12-4 PM) in the space
-Masks mandatory and can be provided
-RSVP to: workshopofshortt@gmail.com by December 18, 2023

About Yvonne Shortt

Yvonne Shortt is a question based artist with a practice spanning sculpture, architecture, movement, ecology, and social practice. Some of Ms. Shortt’s current projects include The Museum For Contemporary Artists,The Artist Manifesto and Synopsis, African American Marbleization: An Act of Civil Disobedience, Be the Museum, The Water Vessel, and The Lotto Verses Grant Writing Project.

Ms Shortt is a member of A.I.R. Gallery where she co-heads the Research and Development committee, a committee focused on rooting out toxicity and implementing systems of abundance. The Research and Development committee artifacts are also part of a new R&D program at RPGA Studio.

Ms. Shortt does not name her awards, grants, commissions, collectors, or residencies; believing what matters in her practice is focusing on the art as she defines it- energy shifts.