Praxis is an art collaborative composed of a husband and wife team. Brainard Carey (born October 7, 1968) is an American; Delia Bajo (born November 2, 1974) is a Spaniard.[1] They live and work in New York City and New Haven, CT.

Praxis
Carey and Bajo at the Whitney Museum, 2014
Born(1968-10-07)October 7, 1968 (Brainard Carey)
(1974-11-02)November 2, 1974 (Delia Bajo)
United States (Brainard Carey)
Spain (Delia Bajo)
Known forConceptual Art / Artist Collaborative
Websitemuseumofnonvisibleart.com/praxis/

History

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Praxis was formed in 1999. They had their first major exhibition in The Whitney Biennial in 2002 and they were reviewed by the critic and philosopher Arthur Danto for The Nation.[2]

As Debra Singer said in the Whitney Biennial catalog that year, "As part of an ongoing performance project, this two-person collaborative team offers gallery visitors a menu of four free services: foot washes, hugs, Band-Aid applications to help heal visible or non-visible wounds, and gifts of dollar bills. Their interactive, nurturing performances offer alternative modes of economic and social exchange that serve as a comforting antidote to the potentially alienating effects of a world often dominated by technology and consumerism."[3]

Theatrical work

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Praxis continued making interactive work and in 2005 was commissioned to create a theatrical work for artistic director Vallejo Gantner for his first show at Performance Space 122 in New York City.[1][4]

Solo show at Whitney Museum

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Praxis in Speaking Portraits

In 2007, they had a solo show at the Whitney Museum of American Art curated and commissioned by Shamim Momin.[5][6]

Controversial conceptual museum project

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Museum of Non-visible Art, Installation in Harlem, NY

They produced numerous projects and artworks in between major shows, and in 2011 they launched their Museum of Non-Visible Art on Kickstarter with James Franco as a collaborator.[7]

The project was successful and drew international press including James Franco discussing the project on Jimmy Kimmel Live.[8] The reaction from the art community and the general public was mixed. In various press and blog pieces, the project was celebrated as a powerful project in the art world and also raised many questions about what art actually is, and why it becomes valuable. The Museum continues to this day and is currently looking for an architect to design the space. There is an international competition created by Praxis for a winning architect.[citation needed]

Publications

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Currently, Praxis (Brainard Carey and Delia Bajo, also known as Delia Carey) are writing books and developing their museum of non-visible art. They have written two books published by Skyhorse in New York City, The Art of Hugging[9] and The School of Wishing.[10]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Valerie Gladstone (September 4, 2005). "Directions: The Naked and the Dead". The New York Times. Retrieved 2015-03-17.
  2. ^ Arthur Danto. "The Show They Love to Hate". The Nation (April 29, 2002). Retrieved 2015-03-17.
  3. ^ "Whitney Biennial 2002 Public Programs" (PDF). Whitney Museum of American Art. 2002. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
  4. ^ Roslyn Sulcas (September 10, 2005). "Performance Art Review – Praxis: Disconcerting Intimacy, With Hugs and Band-Aids". The New York Times. Retrieved 2015-03-17.
  5. ^ "Performance on 42nd presents Praxis Studio: Dreams and Possibilities, a Whitney Live Commission" (PDF). Whitney Museum of American Art. Retrieved 2015-03-17.   Press release for installation and performance open March 12–22, 2007. Copy at twobodies.com.
  6. ^ Leah Oates. "Performance and Dreams". NY Arts (nyartsmagazine.com). Retrieved 2015-03-17. Interview.
  7. ^ "Museum of Non-Visible Art – Praxis & James Franco collaborate by Brainard and Delia Carey". Kickstarter (kickstarter.com). Retrieved 2015-03-17.
  8. ^ "James Franco Stops By Jimmy Kimmel To Talk About Museum Of Non-Visible Art". HuffPost. August 7, 2011. Archived from the original on January 16, 2022.
  9. ^ Carey, Brainard; Carey, Delia (5 June 2012). The Art of Hugging: A Heartwarming Guide to Everyone's Favorite Gesture of Love (Paperback) by Brainard and Delia Carey. Skyhorse. ISBN 978-1616087142.
      More product data: Skyhorse Publishing; 1st ed.; June 5, 2012; ISBN 978-1-6160-8714-2; 208 pp.
  10. ^ Carey, Brainard; Carey, Delia (6 November 2013). School of Wishing: Lessons to Change Your Life and Make Your Dreams Come True (Paperback) by Brainard and Delia Carey. Skyhorse. ISBN 978-1626361157.
      More product data: Skyhorse Publishing; 1st ed.; November 6, 2013; ISBN 978-1-6263-6115-7; 192 pp.
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