The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art, Charleston’s ultimate destination for adventurous contemporary art, is celebrating its two newest exhibitions, Spandita Malik: Meshes of Resistance and Elisa Harkins: Teach Me a Song, on display from April 5th through July 20th, with an array of free and interactive events open to the public along with for-purchase workshops and performances in partnership with Spoleto Festival USA.
See below for more details:
Artist Talk: April 6 + June 1, 2 p.m.
The Halsey invites locals and visitors alike to dive deeply into the works behind Meshes of Resistance and Teach Me a Song with renowned artists Spandita Malik on April 6 and Elisa Harkins on June 1. Free and open to the public, guests can join in on the conversation at the institute’s galleries.
WGS Intersections: April 9, 4 p.m.
Open to the public for free and organized by the Women’s and Gender Studies Program (WGS) at the College of Charleston, this panel discussion will examine the themes explored in Elisa Harkins: Teach Me a Song. WGS selects the panel participants, who will be announced before the event.
Halsey After Hours: May 3, 5-7 p.m.
The Halsey invites members and not-yet members to enjoy happy hour at Halsey After Hours. Attendees can drink in the views of the two current exhibitions, Spandita Malik: Meshes of Resistance and Elisa Harkins: Teach Me a Song, meet Halsey staff and advisory board members and walk away with a fun and memorable experience. The famous Moon Party Moon will also appear for a one-of-a-kind photo-op! Free to members; not-yet members will be asked to make a $10 donation at the door.
Embroidery Workshop: May 16, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Inspired by Spandita Malik: Meshes of Resistance, join fiber artist and the Halsey’s Community Engagement Coordinator Camela Guevara at the institute’s embroidery workshop. Before the date, artists will send their chosen image to the Halsey to print onto fabric, where they’ll then learn embroidery basics and how to embellish their image at the workshop, making a keepsake to enjoy for years to come. Tickets, including all materials, are priced at $65 for members and $75 for not-yet members and can be purchased at the George Street Box Office HERE (email HalseyRSVP@cofc.edu with any questions). RSVP space is capped at 15 attendees!
Elisa Harkins: Wampum / ᎠᏕᎳ ᏗᎦᎫᏗ: June 3 + June 4, 6 p.m.
Co-presented with Spoleto Festival USA, the Halsey presents two performances of Wampum ᎠᏕᎳ ᏗᎦᎫᏗ by Cherokee/Muscogee Native American artist and composer Elisa Harkins. An act of Indigenous Futurism, combining disco and Indigenous language to preserve and celebrate disappearing languages through active, this innovative performance features Harkins singing in a combination of Cherokee, English and Muscogee (Creek) and moving rhythmically to electronic dance tracks inspired by Indigenous music. Both dreamy and intense, this piece effortlessly fuses primitive and modern, timeless and of this time. Tickets start at $30 and can be purchased at Spoleto Festival USA’s website HERE or by calling 843-579-3100.
Film Screening of Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World: July 10, 7 p.m.
Beat the heat with a free movie screening of Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World (2017) in the Halsey’s galleries. The movie explores how the Native American influence played an integral part in music history despite attempts to ban, censor and erase Indian culture in the United States. Learn more about the movie HERE.
Family Day!: July 14, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Free and open to the public, families are welcome to join the Halsey staff for guided tours, art activities that explore the two exhibitions, healthy snacks and more for a fun-filled, family-friendly celebration of Spandita Malik: Meshes of Resistance and Elisa Harkins: Teach Me a Song.
