This special five part series has been commissioned by Flag Art Foundation for their exhibition “The Times”. The exhibition uses The New York Times as its point of departure and features over 80 artists, artist duos, and collectives who use the “paper of record” to address and reframe issues that impact our everyday lives. The interviews are with current and former editors and writers who speak about their experiences working for The New York Times, including David Colman, contributing writer, ‘Style Section’; Andrea Kannapell, Briefings editor; Randy Kennedy, writer, ‘Arts section’; Michael Owen, Editor of the News Desk; and Rick Rojas, writer, ‘Metro Section.’

Mohammed speaks about opening the Institute of Arab & Islamic Art(IAIA) and the important role it plays in helping to foster conversation and understanding between cultures. We speak about social responsibility to affect change and breaking stereotypes, as well as the need for collaboration with the intent of helping to shape the future.

Emily speaks to her role as a Curatorial assistant at MOMA, and her work on the Robert Rauschenberg retrospective Among Friends. We also discuss the work of Eleanor Anton and the exhibition Multiple Occupancy: Eleanor Antin’s “Selves”, curated by Emily in 2013.

Soo speaks about her life as an artist and educator, the lack of equivalency in teaching standards, the role art schools in Los Angeles play in creating community, and the pressures artists deal with in producing work for commercial spaces.

Lazaros discusses avoiding the dogmatic nature of religion, cults and religious movements, origins of faith speaking to society, magic, and Mormonism.

Emily and I discuss what makes a finished performance piece, what aspects of performance art can be problematic for a viewer, supporting yourself as an artist, and why she takes issue with the notion of absolute truth.

Diana C. Betancourt is a Los Angeles-born curator based in Mumbai who has been working across South Asia since 2010. She is the Artistic Director of the Samdani Art Foundation in Dhaka and the Chief Curator of the Dhaka Art Summit. We speak about her entrance into the art world, the influence of arts within South Asia, and the important role of expanding artistic relationships inside and outside of the region.

Adam, Timo, and Thomas discuss the logistics of opening a gallery, how the gallery programming reflects their studio practices, and the difficult choices that are made for their own artistic endeavors.

John discusses how he creates questions within his artwork for the viewer, when his sculpture informs his paintings, and asks the question of why what we make matters beyond the art world.

Ragen talks about the friction between text and sculpture, commitment to ones craft, and the perception and realities of an artists life.