You Can't Eat Art
You Can't Eat Art
Podcast Description
The title of this podcast, “You Can’t Eat Art,” comes from a conversation I had with a relative who disputes the relevance and value of art. He couldn’t see its purpose because in his mind it didn’t serve a tangible function nor did it have the ability to put food on the table. The artists who I interview have been in residence at the Lucas Artists Program at the Montalvo Arts Center; they represent a diverse range of mediums and practices, and each has a unique approach to the relationship between art and commerce. We'll explore why artists choose to make art and offer insight into how artists navigate the commodification of their work, and shed light on what shapes their creative processes. Ultimately,“You Can’t Eat Art” seeks to reaffirm art's role as an indispensable cultural force, one that fosters connection, introspection, and growth. You Can’t Eat Art challenges the reductive notion of art as a commodity, and invites listeners to reconsider how art can challenge, resist, redefine and shape society. The intention is for these conversations to spark an ongoing dialogue to counter prevailing misconceptions about art, and to bring about an understanding of art as what sculptor Anthony Gormley calls “an act of shared communication.”“Syndrome” from the album Tide’s Arising Instrumentals (Mashibeats, 2024) used withpermission of LAP 2023 CA Fellow Mark de Clive-Lowe; © Mark de Clive-Lowe / Mashibeats
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast delves into themes of artistic practice, the commodification of art, and the cultural significance of creative work, with episodes exploring topics like the intersection of art and well-being, as well as innovative approaches to public performance, exemplified in discussions with guests like Ava Roy and Jenn Johns.
The title of this podcast, “You Can’t Eat Art,” comes from a conversation I had with a relative who disputes the relevance and value of art. He couldn’t see its purpose because in his mind it didn’t serve a tangible function nor did it have the ability to put food on the table.
The artists who I interview have been in residence at the Lucas Artists Program at the Montalvo Arts Center; they represent a diverse range of mediums and practices, and each has a unique approach to the relationship between art and commerce. We’ll explore why artists choose to make art and offer insight into how artists navigate the commodification of their work, and shed light on what shapes their creative processes.
Ultimately,“You Can’t Eat Art” seeks to reaffirm art’s role as an indispensable cultural force, one that fosters connection, introspection, and growth. You Can’t Eat Art challenges the reductive notion of art as a commodity, and invites listeners to reconsider how art can challenge, resist, redefine and shape society. The intention is for these conversations to spark an ongoing dialogue to counter prevailing misconceptions about art, and to bring about an understanding of art as what sculptor Anthony Gormley calls “an act of shared communication.”
“Syndrome” from the album Tide’s Arising Instrumentals (Mashibeats, 2024) used withpermission of LAP 2023 CA Fellow Mark de Clive-Lowe; © Mark de Clive-Lowe / Mashibeats
In this episode of You Can’t Eat Art, Clara Kamunde is in conversation with interdisciplinary artist Mike Arcega. Mike’s works range from sculpture, drawing, and painting to installations, video and performance. He is also an associate professor at San Francisco State University, where he leads the sculpture and expanded practice area in the School of Art. If anyone can demystify contemporary art for skeptics, it's Mike.
About Michael Arcega:
Michael Arcega’s creative research is a poetic investigation around power dynamics and marginalized communities. He uses object-metaphors to make sculptures, installations, and activations that critique Historic and political narratives. This work has been exhibited in galleries and museums internationally and have been discussed in academic journals, art publications and a range of media platforms. He is an Associate Professor at San Francisco State University and heads the Sculpture and Expanded Practice area in the School of Art. Arcega holds a BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute and an MFA from Stanford University. He is a recipient of a Rainin Arts Fellowship, Guggenheim fellowship, Artadia grant, SFAC Artist Grant, Joan Mitchell MFA Award, Murphy Cadogan Fine Arts Fellowship, among others. For more about Mike Arcega, the Lucas Artist's Residency webpage here and Michael’s website.
Follow @Mike_Arcega
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About Clara Kamunde:
Clara Kamunde is an Oakland-based, Kenyan-born cultural worker practicing at the intersection of arts education and social justice. Her career began with the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles where, as a grantee for the Artist-In-The-Community program, she collaborated with community organizations to produce and present site-integrated programming in urban parks, recreation areas, historic sites, and schools located in under-served communities throughout Greater Los Angeles. For her contribution in supporting access to quality arts programming with DCA, she was awarded an Honorary Citation by the City of Los Angeles. She was formerly a fellow at the International Center for Studies in Creativity at Buffalo State University where she earned a master’s degree in Creativity Studies.
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About the Lucas Artists Residency Program:
Established in 1939, Montalvo Arts Center is home to the third oldest residency program in the United States. In 2004, Montalvo re-committed to its support of artists by opening a new, state-of-the-art facility, relaunching as the Sally and Don Lucas Artists Residency Program. The residency is dedicated to providing artists with a flexible and expansive space in which to create, encouraging the creative process, risk taking, collaboration, and cross-disciplinary investigation of contemporary issues. The LAP is a hybrid model that supports uninterrupted time to develop new work, while offering opportunities to share ideas and projects through public programming and partnerships. For more info about the residency, the Lucas Artist's Residency website.
Follow the LAP @lucasartres
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Credits
Michael Arcega: Visual Art
Copyright 2006 KQED San Francisco
Source: SPARK: Michael Arcega
Credits:
“Syndrome” from the album Tide’s Arising Instrumentals (Mashibeats, 2024) used with permission of LAP 2023 CA Fellow Mark de Clive-Lowe; © Mark de Clive-Lowe/Mashibeats
Podcast cover art created by Olivia Esparza © Montalvo Arts Center, 2025
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