"There was a hint of summer in the air"

Theatrical Outfit actor Tom Key enticed us at Whitespace last Thursday night. He started the evening with a stimulating discussion on the cultural relevance of literature and theater in today's society. Then he transitioned into our main event of the night- a performance from To Kill a Mockingbird of Atticus Finch's summation speech in the courthouse. The performance soon moved inside to showcase the piece, I still hear the Mockingbird, which Tom had originally planned to read from. It includes almost every page of the book. But, it turned out we had an extra copy of the book, so that was that and all was well.

"And you-" she pointed an arthritic finger at me- "what are you doing in those overalls? You should be in a dress and camisole, young lady! You'll grow up waiting on tables if somebody doesn't change your ways- a Finch waiting on tables at the O.K. Cafe-- Hah!"
I was terrified. The O.K. Cafe was a dim organizaton on the north side of the square. I grabbed Jem's hand but he shook me loose."

Pg. 106

Thank you Tom for your performance and participation! He is a resident actor for Theatrical Outfit, which is Atlanta's third oldest professional theater company. They had actually performed To Kill a Mocking Bird last September. They are a great theater venue in Atlanta, consistently carrying on the dignity of stage performance. The current performance is Godspell by s. Schwartz and J. Tebelak in performance until May 11th. Their website has more information.

*Photographs were supplied by Mark & Red, and our own Jenn. Thank you!

The Axe and the Spade

T-Tower
Jonathan Bouknight

The Axe and the Spade @ Ruby Green Gallery
April 5- May 17
Gallery hours | Wednesday-Saturday 12 pm-6 pm

Whitespace artist Jonathan Bouknight took part in the show,The Axe and the Spade, alongside Adam Davis and John Trobaugh at the Ruby Green Gallery in Nashville, Tennessee. The show opened on April 5th and will be showing until May 17th.

"Artists Jonathan Bouknight, Adam Davis, and John Trobaugh take different approaches towards an exploration of the disconnect between idealized masculinities and the reality of human nature. Through the appropriation of gender signifiers and the creation of alternate spaces, these artists attempt to reshape the cultural context in which they exist. The artworks are intended catalyst for a change in perception, imbued with the artists' own yearning and discontent with waiting.

The title “The Axe & The Spade” originates from a test done to young children by some Native American Indian tribes to determine the role of the child in the tribe: as a male, female, or a third gender (often called a “Two-Spirit” or “Berdache”). The child was tested to see if they preferred the man's tools, the bow and arrow, or the woman's tools, the axe and the spade."

-Ruby Green Gallery

The three of us put our heads together when preparing this show to put into words our common link, this is what we came up with: "[The artists take] different approaches towards an exploration of the disconnect between idealized masculinities and the reality of human nature. Through the appropriation of gender signifiers and the creation of alternate spaces, these artists attempt to reshape the cultural context in which they exist. The artworks are intended catalyst for a change in perception, imbued with the artists' own yearning and discontent with waiting."

-Jonathan Bouknight

Jonathan has graciously unveiled the process and the inner-workings of the show through his blog . I'm constantly inspired by his consistency in blogging the local art scene and taking part in welding together the art community in Atlanta (but not limited to). Check it out.

April 2008 ARTFORUM

"That's why it's a sin..."

I Still hear the Mockingbird
April 11-May 10, 2008

Reception
April 11th, 2008 | 7-10 pm

*Special reading of To Kill a Mockingbird
by Theatrical Outfit actor Tom Key
April 24th, 2008 | 8 pm

Last night was perfection. The easy breeze and the sways of the snowball flowers lit up the evening at Whitespace to welcome all the guests of Red Weldon-Sandlin and Mark Sandlin to the opening of I Still hear the Mockingbird. The memory of the book filled the space with endearment and nostalgia as well as the intrigue of its context in conjunction with the pieces. The delightful music exuded by the band of friends with guitars, banjo, and harmonica permeated the open courtyard, and continued well into the night. Even with the rainfall in which we had denounced earlier in the evening, the party simply shifted indoors and enjoyed the intimacy of space and conversation.

"... The characters of this novel have become our friends. As children, many of us were once Jem or Scout or Dill. As adults, we have faced the complex social issues Tom Robinson, Atticus Finch, and Sheriff Tate wrestled. Deep in our dresser drawers are cigar boxes of childhood mementos that only we still remember where thy came from and can guess their significance. Yet, perhaps most of all, in the trees outside our bedroom windows each spring, the mockingbird stil perches in the branches and loudly sings, challenging us to awake before dawn."

A.M. Garner has taught creative writing and literature of the American South at various universities in the Southeast. Currently she lives, teaches and writes in Florence, Alabama. You can find Anita on her blog here.