Agitprop space (physical space)
Agitprop was founded in 2007 by artist David White with the help of numerous other individuals. The goal of the space was to blur the lines between the individual Artist, the Studio, the Gallery and the Neighborhood; and to re-imagine the form of the Gallery as tool for long term engagement with a particular locality. This engagement is implemented through horizontal collaborations across individuals, artists, small businesses, community activists and institutions. Some current projects can be found here, as well as the Reading and Performance Series and other ongoing events.
The Reading and Performance Series is currently curated by K. Lorraine Graham and James Meetze
The Agitprop space is located at 2837 University Ave San Diego, CA 92104 (entrance on Utah behind Glenn’s Market) We currently do not have regular hours. But we do have frequent events! Check here frequently: http://agitpropspace.org/category/agitprop-space/
Or subscibe: http://agitpropspace.org/subscribe/
Agitprop space (digital space)
This website is an extension of the philosophy of the physical Agitprop space and is a forum for dialogue around issues of art, public engagement and critical discourse.
Current contributors:
Past contributors:
Jessica McCambly & John Oliver Lewis
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From a past statement:
“From the beginning, the intention of Agitprop was to be an integrated part of the neighborhood, like a shoe store, a telephone pole, gum on a bench, or a post office. Conceptually, the idea was to bring the ‘gallery’ into the neighborhood and the neighborhood into the ‘gallery’. Much of the interior of the space was left as it was found allowing physical traces of its previous use to remain. Its last use being storage for the corner store that we share the building with. Alterations were kept to a minimum. We only added or changed the space as much as we needed to accommodate use. Nothing more. We allotted space for exhibition and space for work that were porous in terms of physical definition: the studio spills into the exhibition space and the exhibition space spills onto the street and, in turn, the street influences what happens in the studios. In this sense Agitprop is not a Gallery. In this sense it also not a Studio. It is a place where art and neighborhood overlap. Agitprop temporarily opens up to the street, allowing people to participate with what is happening inside, and then closes again to blend back into the neighborhood aggregate. It is a semi-invisible force influenced by the preconditions of its material and social surroundings. The people involved disperse after an event, going back to their usual routines, only to return again with more material with which to work. Agitprop is a space where ideas, often drawn from the neighborhood, are presented in flexible units that people are encouraged to take or leave, accept or reject, admire or criticize. It is a micro-recycling center of cultural production. A beverage store of ideas.”