Host a Scramble Scrabble Dinner. | J. Morgan Puett | The Art Assignment

TL;DR

Mildred's Lane is an artist's commune that emphasizes creativity and collaboration in daily activities, with a focus on transforming mundane tasks into meaningful experiences.

Transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING] J. MORGAN PUETT: Every aspect of life is a rigorous engagement with the banal. So at Mildred's Lane, we make that a creatively charged practice from washing dishes out in the landscape to cooking a meal over an open fire to learning how to clean out a toilet properly. Everything is rigorous, whimsical, fun, engaged, and we do it tog... Read More

Key Insights

• 💦 Mildred's Lane is an artist commune that focuses on creative domestication and the interconnection of work and life.
• 😒 The community incorporates collaboration through the use of algorithms and games.
• 👾 J. Morgan Puett redefines the concept of "hoosh" as an intentional arrangement and rearrangement of objects and spaces.
• 👾 The Scrabble dinner game at Mildred's Lane is influenced by the Fluxus Movement, emphasizing simplicity, inclusivity, and improvisation.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the concept behind the artist commune at Mildred's Lane?

Mildred's Lane is a place where individuals explore the interconnection of working, living, researching, and making. It promotes a practice called creative domestication, which involves bringing attention and intention to every aspect of daily life.

Q: How does Mildred's Lane incorporate collaboration into their activities?

Mildred's Lane encourages collaboration through the use of algorithms and games. By creating rules and systems, they foster a socially democratic landscape where everyone's experience is valued. Collaborative dinner parties and collective development of projects are examples of how collaboration is embraced.

Q: How does J. Morgan Puett redefine the term "hoosh" in relation to their artistic practice?

J. Morgan Puett, as an installation artist, redefines the term "hoosh" to signify the intentional arrangement and rearrangement of objects and spaces. The concept of "hoosh" is central to the creative processes at Mildred's Lane and involves collaborative decision-making and experimentation.

Q: Why is the Scrabble dinner game considered art?

While playing the Scrabble dinner game can be approached without considering it art, understanding the art history context enriches the experience. Morgan's practice at Mildred's Lane is influenced by the Fluxus Movement, which emphasized simplicity, amusement, and the inclusion of everyday people in creating and experiencing art.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Mildred's Lane, founded by artist J. Morgan Puett, is a 96-acre site in Pennsylvania that serves as a new art complex.

• At Mildred's Lane, every aspect of daily life is approached with creativity and intention, from cooking to cleaning toilets.

• The community practices creative domestication, questioning societal norms and exploring the interconnection of work, life, and making.