Survival Adaptations

Root Division, in collaboration with Adobe Books Backroom Gallery & Aggregate Space, present Survival Adaptations, a multi venue exhibition exploring responses to the current economic climate of the Bay Area.

Survival Adaptations dictate that “in order to survive and thrive in specific environments, animal species have developed a host of amazing characteristics that help them find food, protect themselves, [and] cope with tough environments.” With a host of shifts and challenges in the Bay Area socio-economic landscape, how do artistic communities and individuals adapt and survive in this changing environment? What does the economically driven relocation of cultural administrators, institutions, artists, and residents of racial, economic, and age diversity mean for the future of San Francisco? What dialogue does this migration have with the development of arts centers outside the city, and how is the perpetual cycle of gentrification being challenged and deconstructed in the process?

Being that we are a group of creative problem solvers, our intention with this exhibition is not to point fingers, or place blame, but rather to explore the creative ways in which artists are responding to the challenge. This is a project to not only reflect on our changing city, but to celebrate those who have chosen to stay and fight, and those who endeavor to redefine and relocate our cultural centers in order to keep diversity and arts a vital part of the Bay Area.

Adobe Books recently faced an eviction due to rising real estate prices, but weathered the storm and relocated with the support of book lovers and artists. Similarly Root Division is currently transitioning to a new location this summer, and sees the renovation of a new facility as the opportunity to be an anchor for artists and educators in the city. One survival tool we have found to be of utmost importance for our organizations is the ability to collaborate and work together in crisis.

For more information: http://www.rootdivision.org/071214.html