Episodes

Joe and Matthew join sculptor Gordon Chandler at his studio in rural west Georgia for an episode unlike any other. They walk the sprawling grounds between workshop, scrapyard, and sculpture gardens. Gordon shares his colorful and impressive history in art and art making. Dogs bark. Saws buzz. Traffic passes. Matthew provides context. (Un)required Resources For This Episode Gordon Chandler on Instagram Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture John Chamberlain at Gagosian Mark di Suvero at Pau...

Joe and Matthew visit Esteban Patino in his Atlanta studio. A book recommendation is passed along, and ancient cultures are considered. His personally developed system of symbols is explored. A strategy for making art in an artist residency is offered. The merits of a clean studio are celebrated. And, a question is examined: What is making “Colombian art” supposed to look like? (Un)Required Resources For This Episode esteban-patino.com Atlanta Art Week The Lost City of the Monkey God by Dougla...

Artist dynamo Mike Stasny hosts Joe and Matthew in his creative space in Underground Atlanta. Serving as a venue, gallery, studio, and performance space, the three explore the idea that the space may actually be a walk-in version of his brain. The conversation spans the DIY aesthetic to graphic design, marketing, and even the nature of conversation itself. And, it all begins with the topic of karaoke. (Un)required Resources For This Episode David Bowie’s “Life on Mars?” on Wikipedia Moonage Da...

Joe and Matthew explore the results of an experiment using ChatGPT technology to curate contemporary art shows. Sharpen that pencil and get your notepad ready: Three concepts and batches of artists for shows are fleshed out – all using AI. Joe offers up the Brain Fuzz Audio Pick of the Day. Mores in karaoke culture are unpacked. A future episode is foreshadowed. (Un)required Resources Trevor Paglen at PaceGallery.com Joe Fig at JoeFig.com Karen Dalton at AllMusic.com Andy Shauf at AllMusic.com...

Joe and Matthew discuss both positive and negative museum experiences, paving the way for a wider discussion of recent events in the contemporary art world. An arts reading assignment continues. The Brain Fuzz news segment returns, and an arts-related experiment is teased. (Un)required Resources For This Episode SCAD Museum of Art Mika Rottenberg at hauserwirth.com Rachel Feinstein at gagosian.com Laney Contemporary Christy Bush Tabitha Soren Authority and Freedom by Jed Perl “Poetry in the Ex...

Artist MaDora Frey joins Joe and Matthew at her 2023 installation in whitespec at Atlanta’s Whitespace Gallery. They discuss her journey from painting and the influences on her work, including the unique environment of her youth.

In their triumphant return for a fourth season, Joe and Matthew review an art review, discuss some shows, and hit some high points of a cultural fact-finding mission. Trends in interior decorating are touched upon. Summer arts reading is referenced. Matthew takes the Brain Fuzz Audio Pick of the Day. (Un)required Resources Review by Ben Davis at Artnet: “An Extremely Intelligent Lava Lamp: Refik Anadol’s A.I. Art Extravaganza at MoMA Is Fun, Just Don’t Think About It Too Hard“ Authority and F...

Joe and Matthew sit down to discuss their arts reading stacks. A bit of nourishment for the creative life is offered. A book review is reviewed. Recording locations are swapped, resulting in the first hybrid episode. “Hallmarkian” is used as a descriptor. Joe provides the Audio Pick of the Day. (Un)required Resources 1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows: A Memoir by Ai Weiwei at Bookshop.org How To Be An Artist by Jerry Saltz at Bookshop.org Wet: On Painting, Feminism, and Art Culture by Mira Schor ...

Ceramicist Masa Sasaki joins Joe and Matthew. Together, they discuss the differences between pottery and ceramics. Masa sheds light on the steps in the process. Form versus function is explored. Masa’s work is viewed in the light of his unique history and perspective. Discoveries are made, and inspiration is found. (Un)required Resources MasaSasakiCeramics.com Lazy Betty Restaurant Hank Sasaki performs “Tennessee Moon,” MZM Live on YouTube Michael Simon at Ferrin Contemporary Who Is Masa Sas...

Joe and Matthew discuss the compartmentalization of creativity. They catch up on the often dreaded life event of moving – studios, houses, and art. Recent experiences and the best – and not-so-great – practices of art handling and placement are shared. Matthew provides the Audio Pick of the Day. (Un)required Resources A wooden create available at Target that is perfect for moving and storing vinyl A moving box for framed pictures available at Home Depot Damn the Torpedoes on AllMusic.com Muddy...

Painter Suzana Brborović joins Joe and Matthew for a conversation about her practice and studio life in Leipzig. Architecture, politics, and socio-economic factors in her work are discussed. Layers are peeled back. Some monuments prove unintended. Memorials are deconstructed. Discipline and balance in the artist’s life are examined. Doubt is determined to be helpful. A Brain Fuzz Europe Tour is floated. (Un)required Resources * suzanabrborovic.eu* About Leipzig at Brittanica.com* “Hitler’s F...

Aspects of making, distributing, and presenting art are explored as Joe and Matthew mix up the format a bit. Recent trends in arts news are explored in a fresh and newly refined Art News Stack segment. Matthew attempts to demystify cryptocurrency and NFTs. Joe provides an Audio Pick of the Day with multiple visual art entry points. Hierarchy and the institutional model are picked at and offered with a healthy side of self-deprecation. (Un)required Resources * Matthew White at TheMWGallery.com*...

From reality cooking show celebrity to helping local farmers, Leslie Parks Bailey talks with Joe and Matthew about her creative life – as well as her life among creatives. The conversation begins with the problem of labels: Does she consider herself a chef? Whether it is the daily routine or the inspiration for a new project, how does a creative brain stay fed while moving forward? The daughter of legendary photographer Gordon Parks and wife of contemporary artist Radcliffe Bailey, Leslie Parks ...

Why not begin Brain Fuzz Season 3 by comparing and contrasting the approaches of Frank Zappa and Marcel Duchamp? In the triumphant return of the Brain Fuzz art, music, and culture podcast, Joe and Matthew discuss the drive of an artist or creative pers...

In part two of this final conversation from their Temporary Art Center residency, Joe and Matthew continue their discussion with art collector and arts benefactor Tim Schrager. An anecdote from a studio visit with artist Tom Sachs illustrates the connection between the art object and its meaning to the collector. Commissions and the public art process are explored. The difficult economics of the creative life are laid bare. With his background in commercial development, Tim’s insights on the c...

Art collector and arts benefactor Tim Schrager joins Joe and Matthew for a two-part conversation during their residency at The Temporary Art Center. They reflect on The Temporary Art Center and his role in it. (If you’re looking to throw a pop-up show, you could build a list of lessons learned from this by the way.) Spoiler alert: Each pop-up offers it’s own challenges. Gallery relationships, art that got away, and the life of a collection are all topics. Odd studio experiences are shared. Big...

Photographer Fredrik Brauer joins Joe and Matthew for a discussion on his career path and how a photographer arrives – or maybe never arrives – at a final, defined identity. Described as an architectural photographer, Fredrik shares his thoughts on architecture and light as subjects and just what those images may be saying to us. The tools, nuts, and bolts of his process are explored. From before the moment that the shutter closes to the digital versus film discussion, insights are shared. Atla...

Photographer Jill Frank joins Joe and Matthew in their Temporary Art Center studio to discuss her work, her process, and her first foray into video. Large format cameras and photography – Jill’s tool and method of choice – are explored. The large format footprint within the context of our modern surroundings is considered. Dust and insect self exposure are topics. Kombucha explodes. Beverages are spilled. Criticism is debated. (Un)required Resources For Episode 56 * Jill Frank – Artist Websi...

Artist Jen Ray and electronic music producer Jason Forrest chat about her art, what it now means to identify as an “artist,” and more on this first couples’ edition of the Brain Fuzz arts podcast. From Atlanta to New York to Berlin and back again, the two share their creative journeys. Jen discusses her work and its multiple points of entry. Jason displays impressive mastery of multiple domains. Arts writing incidents are recounted. Arts world mores and awkward encounters are shared. The four...

Artist Drew Conrad joins Joe and Matthew at The Temporary Art Center to discuss his work, travel, and the role that music has played in his practice. Following up on an earlier theme, the nature of reward is examined. Horizons of the west are explored. The DIY vs white glove treatment is unpacked. Speaking of comparison and contrast, apparently Wings vs Beatles is a thing too. The Brain Fuzz Temporary Studio turntable is critiqued. (Un)required Resources From Episode 54 * DrewConradArt.com*...

Artist Joe Peragine joins Joe (the other one) and Matthew for a discussion on his art practice, work, and its connection to the natural and post-natural worlds. The meaning of success is explored. Audio choices in the studio are shared. The merits of bad taxidermy are considered. A previous guest walks in to join them briefly in this final recording from The Temporary Art Center’s opening night. (Un)required Resources From Episode 53 * JosephPeragine.com* Joe Peragine at Marcia Wood Gallery*...

Curator and Director of the University of Kentucky Art Museum, Stuart Horodner, joins Joe and Matthew on opening night of the Temporary Art Center. A repeat Brain Fuzzer, Stuart shares insights on how projects like the Temporary Art Center come together and why artists often need channels like pop-up shows. Questions are fielded from the Brain Fuzz Analog Messaging Center. Yet another idea for biennial curation is proffered. (Un)required Resources For Episode 52 * Temporary Art Center* “Meta...

Opening night at the Temporary Art Center in Atlanta kicks off with a conversation among Joe, Matthew, and artist Marc Brotherton. They uncover new insights about Marc’s work and its tie to arcade games. Screen sizes and scale are discussed. Entertainment vs art is debated. The Brain Fuzz Analog Messaging Center is activated. (Un)required Resources for Episode 51 * MarcBrotherton.com * Temporary Art Center * “Well, It’s Temporary . . . ” Episode 50 with Scott Ingram

In this brief episode, Joe and Matthew meet up again with artist Scott Ingram to observe their 50th episode milestone and announce a residency at the Temporary Art Center. It is exactly what it sounds like: A temporary project – a kind of pop up on speed – organized by Scott, and the scope is staggering. Un(required) Resources For Episode 50 * Temporary Art Center * Scott Ingram, Episode 42 * Scott Ingram, Episode 48 * Paul Stephen Benjamin, Episode 30 * William Downs, Episode 15 * Dana ...