{"id":13828,"date":"2022-01-03T12:36:08","date_gmt":"2022-01-03T17:36:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.saic.edu\/sitegalleries\/?p=13828"},"modified":"2025-12-08T13:12:28","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T18:12:28","slug":"failure-to-thrive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.saic.edu\/sitegalleries\/2022\/01\/03\/failure-to-thrive\/","title":{"rendered":"Failure to Thrive"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” admin_label=”Header” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_direction=”189deg” background_color_gradient_stops=”rgba(0,0,0,0) 0%|#ffffff 27%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_color_gradient_end=”#ffffff” background_color_gradient_end_position=”27%” background_enable_image=”off” width=”41.2%” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”0px||0px|748px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”5vw||5vw||true” hover_enabled=”0″ background_last_edited=”on|phone” use_background_color_gradient_tablet=”off” use_background_color_gradient_phone=”on” background_color_gradient_direction_tablet=”165deg” background_color_gradient_direction_phone=”133deg” background_color_gradient_stops_tablet=”#ffffff 62%|rgba(0,0,0,0) 100%” background_color_gradient_stops_phone=”#ffffff 52%|rgba(0,0,0,0) 100%” background_color_gradient_start_tablet=”#ffffff” background_color_gradient_start_position_tablet=”62%” background_color_gradient_start_position_phone=”52%” background_color_gradient_end_tablet=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_color_gradient_end_position_tablet=”100%” background_color_gradient_end_position_phone=”100%” background_enable_image_tablet=”off” background_enable_image_phone=”off” background_position_tablet=”top_left” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-primary-color%22:%91%22box_shadow_color%22%93}” title_text_tablet=”curated collage actual poster version” title_text_phone=”curated collage actual poster version” sticky_enabled=”0″ module_alignment=”center” box_shadow_style=”preset7″ box_shadow_color=”gcid-primary-color”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Amiko||||||||” header_font_size=”60px” header_2_font=”Amiko||||||||” header_2_font_size=”30px” header_3_font=”Amiko||||||||” header_3_text_color=”#6b6b6b” header_3_font_size=”40px” header_4_font=”Amiko||on||||||” header_4_text_color=”#6b6b6b” header_4_font_size=”20px” header_5_font=”Amiko||on||||||” header_5_text_color=”#e09900″ header_5_font_size=”18px” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”1050ms” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Failure to Thrive<\/h1>\n

Ray Madrigal<\/h3>\n

April 20 – May 18, 2022<\/h4>\n

SITE Sharp Gallery<\/h5>\n

 <\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” locked=”off” module_alignment=”center” max_width=”44%” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”652px” custom_margin=”|auto|-22px|auto||” custom_padding=”||0px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_gallery fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” pagination_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_layout=”dark” width=”100%” max_width=”100%” custom_margin=”||33px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” gallery_ids=”9097,14166,14172,14170,14171,14165,14167,14164,14168,14169,14173,14174,14175,14176,14177″ hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_gallery][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#ffffff” custom_margin=”||5px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]Photo documentation by\u00a0Veronica Rosas Vargas[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” locked=”off” module_alignment=”center” width=”48%” sticky_enabled=”0″ custom_margin=”||123px|||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”178px” custom_margin=”10px|auto|-190px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”4px||5px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Amiko||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” header_3_font=”|600|||||||” custom_margin=”0px||41px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” animation_style=”fade” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_margin__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” custom_margin__hover=”0px||41px||false|false” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

Contributing Artists<\/h3>\n

Ray Madrigal<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text quote_border_weight=”10px” quote_border_color=”gcid-primary-color” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” quote_font=”||on||||||” quote_text_align=”left” header_3_font=”|600|||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” custom_margin=”15px||15px||false|false” animation_style=”fade” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-primary-color%22:%91%22quote_border_color%22%93}”]<\/p>\n

Exhibition Statement as Preserved in the SUGS\/SITE Archives:<\/h3>\n
\n

“Under certain circumstances failing, losing, forgetting, unmaking, undoing, unbecoming, not knowing may in fact offer more creative, more cooperative, more surprising ways of being in the world. Failing is something queers do and have always done exceptionally well. [\u2026] In fact, if success requires so much effort, then maybe failure is easier in the long run and offers different kinds of rewards.”
Judith Halberstam, The Queer Art of Failure<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Objects are us.
We use objects to signal identity.
What we eat, drink, wear, drive, and touch is what we are.
Objects find their value in \u201cworking\u201d, whether their function is to nourish, entertain,
please, signal, support, or simply sit and look pretty.
Objects lose their value in \u201cnot working\u201d.
I have a lot of sympathy, and sometimes love, for objects that do not work. I hope that if
I can demonstrate kindness or understanding to a broken, non-functional, strange object,
I can encourage others to do the same.
If we can tolerate (dare I say love?) dysfunctional, \u201cfailed\u201d objects, maybe we can
tolerate (dare I say love?) dysfunctional, \u201cfailed\u201d people.
I have dedicated my two-plus decades of life to making objects that \u201cdon\u2019t work\u201d\u2013 you cannot eat my paintings, or live in my sculptures, or take my video as literal medicine, or use my writing to directly pay rent. My creations, in their lack of practical function, fail before they\u2019re even born. This brings me much shame.
But here I am, fed by painting. Sheltered by making. Soothed by performing. Enriched by writing. I make them despite the shame. I don\u2019t think I will stop.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There is some peace, some power, in knowing that an object \u201cdoesn\u2019t work\u201d and finding
joy in it anyway. Acting without use soothes me, gives me permission to be useless, to
fail.
All things should have a right to exist without use.
That last statement feels too bold and too certain to be true, and I fli nch as I wait for retaliation. I\u2019m trying the thought out anyway.
If it is useless, so be it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Failure To Thrive is a gathering place for my works, which fail practically even if they succeed formally. The assembly is made in the hopes that in displaying my shame, others can feel more comfortable with their own. I am convinced that, left alone, our shame corrodes inside of us. Aired out among others, it is transmuted into community and self compassion.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Failure is a concern for all artists, and all citizens \u2013 individually and globally, projects fail, be they a painting or a social institution.
Failure is especially a concern for those who are not included in the language of success spoken by western, white-oriented capitalism. Failure is inevitable for someone who is fundamentally excluded from the language of achievement \u2013 a language of heterosexual, cisgendered, thin, white, able-bodied, and capitalistic success.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

At their simplest, the failed objects I reflect on when creating make me laugh. At their most complex, they challenge me to redefine success, to worldbuild, to reimagine parameters. They make me ask how I know when something has failed, whose eyes I\u2019m looking through when I pity something. Whose definitions of failure and success have I internalized? How will I know if I\u2019ve won? Are winners and losers even functional categories anymore, when we are running a race with no finish line?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Failure To Thrive does not claim to have answers. The show\u2019s goal is not to assert itself as a new metric for success. It hopes only to carve out a space, a moment, in which we can enjoy what communal failure has to offer: a chance for relief, compassion, and a new kind of optimism.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” locked=”off” module_alignment=”center” width=”41%” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#ffffff” custom_margin=”15px||15px||false|false” custom_padding=”9px|||||” animation_style=”fade” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” header_3_font=”|600|||||||” custom_margin=”15px||15px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Programs<\/h3>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_tabs active_tab_background_color=”#ffc60b” inactive_tab_background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” tab_text_color=”#000000″ min_height=”171.2px” custom_margin=”15px||15px||false|false” custom_padding=”17px||15px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-primary-color%22:%91%22active_tab_background_color%22%93}”][et_pb_tab title=”Performances” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Failure to Thrive Performance Series<\/strong><\/p>\n

April 25 – April 28, 12:00-2:00 PM<\/p>\n

Monday, Ari Karafiol, We All Know How This One Goes!<\/em><\/p>\n

Tuesday, Charlie Thornton, Stitch\/the beauty of the line<\/em><\/p>\n

Wednesday, Steve Emrich, omnion<\/em><\/p>\n

Thursday, Rose Bettridge, Art School, Clown School, School Schmool<\/em><\/p>\n

Sharp Gallery<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_tab][\/et_pb_tabs][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”News” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_image=”https:\/\/sites.saic.edu\/sites-2\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2020\/08\/art-gallery-55.jpg” background_size=”initial” background_repeat=”repeat” min_height=”666px” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|||||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” width=”45%” module_alignment=”center” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#ffffff” custom_margin=”15px||15px||false|false” animation_style=”fade” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” header_3_font=”|600|||||||” custom_margin=”15px||15px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Exhibition Material<\/h3>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_tabs active_tab_background_color=”#ffc60b” inactive_tab_background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” tab_text_color=”#000000″ custom_margin=”15px||15px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-primary-color%22:%91%22active_tab_background_color%22%93}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_tab title=”Poster” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Postcard” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\" \"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_tab][\/et_pb_tabs][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-2px|||||” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,1_4,1_4,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”12px” text_line_height=”2em” link_font=”||||on||||” link_text_color=”#666666″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_3_font=”|700||on|||||” header_3_font_size=”12px” header_3_letter_spacing=”5px” header_3_line_height=”1.8em” max_width_tablet=”70%” max_width_last_edited=”off|phone” header_3_font_size_tablet=”” header_3_font_size_phone=”” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Contact<\/h3>\n

Email SITE Directors: sitegalleries@saic.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”12px” text_line_height=”2em” link_font=”||||on||||” link_text_color=”#666666″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_3_font=”|700||on|||||” header_3_font_size=”12px” header_3_letter_spacing=”5px” header_3_line_height=”1.8em” max_width_tablet=”70%” max_width_last_edited=”off|phone” header_3_font_size_tablet=”” header_3_font_size_phone=”” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Follow<\/h3>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_social_media_follow _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px|||-7px|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-6px|||-21px|false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-8px||0px|-19px|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” filter_invert=”100%” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” icon_color__hover=”#e02b20″][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”instagram” url=”https:\/\/instagram.com\/site_galleries?utm_medium=copy_link” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]instagram[\/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”youtube” url=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCNj0be4CIHGM1aZm3WiNwxQ” icon_color=”#ffffff” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#000000″ background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]youtube[\/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” url=”https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SITEGalleries\/” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]facebook[\/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][\/et_pb_social_media_follow][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”12px” text_line_height=”2em” link_font=”||||on||||” link_text_color=”#666666″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_3_font=”|700||on|||||” header_3_font_size=”12px” header_3_letter_spacing=”5px” header_3_line_height=”1.8em” max_width_tablet=”70%” max_width_last_edited=”off|phone” custom_padding=”|||35px|false|false” header_3_font_size_tablet=”” header_3_font_size_phone=”” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Address<\/h3>\n

SITE Sharp Gallery
37 S. Wabash Ave.
Chicago, IL, 60603<\/p>\n

SITE 280 Gallery
280 S. Columbus Drive
Chicago, IL, 60603<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”12px” text_line_height=”2em” link_font=”||||on||||” link_text_color=”#666666″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_3_font=”|700||on|||||” header_3_font_size=”12px” header_3_letter_spacing=”5px” header_3_line_height=”1.8em” max_width_tablet=”70%” max_width_last_edited=”off|phone” header_3_font_size_tablet=”” header_3_font_size_phone=”” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Hours<\/h3>\n

Gallery Hours (during exhibitions)
Monday \u2013 Friday 11am \u2013 6pm<\/p>\n

Saturday 11am \u2013 3pm<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”12px” text_line_height=”2em” link_font=”||||on||||” link_text_color=”#666666″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_3_font=”|700||on|||||” header_3_font_size=”12px” header_3_letter_spacing=”5px” header_3_line_height=”1.8em” max_width_tablet=”70%” max_width_last_edited=”off|phone” header_3_font_size_tablet=”” header_3_font_size_phone=”” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Subscribe<\/h3>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_signup mailchimp_list=”SlavaET|11a914d1cc” first_name_field=”off” last_name_field=”off” _builder_version=”4.16″ form_field_background_color=”#f3f3f4″ form_field_custom_padding=”12px||12px||true” header_font=”|||on|||||” header_font_size=”14px” header_letter_spacing=”5px” header_line_height=”1.8em” form_field_font=”||||||||” form_field_font_size=”14px” use_background_color=”off” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”14px” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#000000″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|700|||||||” button_custom_padding=”12px||12px||true” background_layout=”light” custom_margin=”-10px||||false|false” link_option_url=”http:\/\/eepurl.com\/bxku9T” border_radii_fields=”on|0px|0px|0px|0px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_signup][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Footer” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_repeat=”repeat-y” custom_padding=”0px|||||” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Failure to Thrive Ray Madrigal April 20 – May 18, 2022 SITE Sharp Gallery  Photo documentation by\u00a0Veronica Rosas VargasContributing Artists Ray MadrigalExhibition Statement as Preserved in the SUGS\/SITE Archives: “Under certain circumstances failing, losing, forgetting, unmaking, undoing, unbecoming, not knowing may in fact offer more creative, more cooperative, more surprising ways of being in the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":186,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"2880","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13828","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-exhibitions"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.saic.edu\/sitegalleries\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13828","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.saic.edu\/sitegalleries\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.saic.edu\/sitegalleries\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.saic.edu\/sitegalleries\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/186"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.saic.edu\/sitegalleries\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13828"}],"version-history":[{"count":41,"href":"https:\/\/sites.saic.edu\/sitegalleries\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13828\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24168,"href":"https:\/\/sites.saic.edu\/sitegalleries\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13828\/revisions\/24168"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.saic.edu\/sitegalleries\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13828"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.saic.edu\/sitegalleries\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13828"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.saic.edu\/sitegalleries\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13828"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}