Alexandre Singh, Assembly Instructions (lecture), performance with two OHP projectors and transparencies, 2009
Congratulations to SVA alum Alexandre Singh! He is one of the 8 artists selected by the Rema Hort Mann Foundation for the 2009 Visual Arts Grant. Each recipient gets a big check for $10,000 to be used however he or she pleases. Alexandre starred in this blog recently (Showroom Dummy, 2009).
From approximately 110 artists nominated by art world professionals, the 7 other recipients are Jennifer Cohen, Alexander Fleming, Alice O’Malley, Matt Sheridan Smith, Rashaad Newsome, Mary Reid Kelley, and Rona Yefman. To be nominated for the grant, an artist must be based in NYC, must not be a student, and must not have had a solo show at a commercial gallery before nomination. (Take note, young artists aching for a solo debut; it pays to wait!) (Take note, young artists looking for a great gallery; two winners are represented by Lisa Cooley!)
Alexandre Singh, The Marque of the Third Stripe, wood, chipboard, vitrines, belgian waffles, adidas trainers, plaster and 80 mins video, 2008
Nominees must also be on good terms 
with the selection committee, the members of which parse through the A-list nominations: Lauren Cornell of Rhizome, who also helped curate Younger Than Jesus; Susan Hort, Stefan Kelmar of Artists Space, Tina Kukielski of the Whitney Museum, and Matthew Lyons of The Kitchen. In recent years, that supreme court has also included judges Lia Gangitano of Participant, Inc, Massimiliano Gioni of the New Museum, Matthew Higgs & Amie Scally of White Columns, Carter Foster & Gary Murayari of the Whitney Museum (Gary is now curating the next Biennial), hypercritic Jerry Saltz, and João Ribas, who recently advanced from the Drawing Center to the MIT List center. Read his interview with the Horts at Flash Art.
Right-hand Man: João Ribas
Personally, this blog thinks they are all beautiful, smart, witty, sexy, talented, stylish, well-groomed, skinny, fabulous, glamorous, wonderful, great……..
The Rema Hort Mann Foundation is unique for several reasons. It is one of the few private foundations offering grants to emerging artists, its prize is unrestricted and unconditional, and the odds of winning are high for nominees. But above all, and in its own words: “The Rema Hort Mann Foundation was established in 1995 in loving memory of Rema Hort Mann who passed away from cancer at the young age of 30. In her life, she was passionate about supporting young artists and later to individuals she met while undergoing treatment.”
Michael & Susan Hort (l), Susan Sarandon in "Stepmom" and/or Jonathan Horowitz' "The Soul of Tammi Terrell" (r)
SVA alumni are familiar with the generous Rema Hort Mann Foundation. It has rewarded SVA’s grads many times in the past: Lane Twitchell (MFA, ‘95), Sarah Sze (MFA ‘97), Mika Rottenberg (BFA, ‘00), Aïda Ruilova (MFA, ‘01), and some clueless mama’s boy (MFA, 06).
Check out Susan and Michael Hort in this video.
