The University of Massachusetts Amherst
Section Menu

Boundary Objects: New Work by Jeff Kasper

Opening Reception: Wednesday, February 5th, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Give & Take Care: a Valentine's Day recovery center: February 14, 11am – 4pm Not into corporate care culture? Practice self affirmation with some quiet time in the installation. Bring a partner, an ally, or chill out solo. The artist will be present to share some herbal tea, handmade body care, and community wellness resources to soften the winter blues.

In boundary objects the audience activates recent work by Jeff Kasper, including text, time-based media, games, and soft objects. The entire installation serves as a temporary social space for navigating interpersonal boundaries. Visitors are encouraged to use the exhibition to slow-down, rest, and practice playful ‘choreographies of support’ that can be applied to real-world conflicts, conversations, and collective situations.

Accessibility: boundary objects is a quiet, a low-light environment with soft floor mats and cushions to sit stand, lay, roll, and crawl. For those that would like to participate non-visually there is a narrative audio guide available at the front desk. The venue is wheelchair accessible. Please refrain from wearing fragrance. There are two gendered ADA compliant restrooms in the Herter Hall lobby.

About the Artist

Jeff Kasper is an artist, writer, organizer, and integrated designer who employs a trauma-informed and healing-centered approach to social practice. His current research and creative work considers how insights into the nervous system, empathic communication, and nonviolence can transform design; queer health; and approaches to public engagement. He has exhibited nationally and internationally, at The 8th Floor, Dedalus Foundation, Queens Museum, New York University, Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts, the 26th International Graphic Design Biennial Brno, The International Graduate Center for the Study of Culture at the University of Giessen, The James Gallery at the CUNY Graduate Center, The Graduate Institute for Design, Ethnography & Social Thought at The New School, and the Ammerman Center for Arts and Technology at Connecticut College. He is the co-author of the newly released More Art In The Public Eye (Duke University Press 2020) and is currently writing a book on design and trauma.

Contact

Procheta Olson
Phone: (413) 545-0976
Email: polson@umass.edu