BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:icalendar-ruby
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
X-WR-CALNAME:2nd Friday ArtWalk: Opening Reception for “Jen Clay: Soft Ni
 ght\, Watching”
X-WR-TIMEZONE:Eastern Time (US & Canada)
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260808T133832Z
UID:tag:localist.com\,2008:EventInstance_50282789297222
DTSTART:20250808T210000Z
DTEND:20250809T010000Z
DESCRIPTION:Join the Ackland in celebrating the newest installation in our 
 ART& space\, Jen Clay: Soft Night\, Watching\, on view from August 8\, 202
 5\, through July 12\, 2026. \nSoft Night\, Watching\, is an interactive qu
 ilted installation that invites viewers to experience an evening forest sc
 ene filled with uncanny forms and figures. Artist Jen Clay (American\, bor
 n 1985) utilizes the tactile properties of her hand-dyed cotton\, satin\, 
 velvet\, and polyester minky fabric to create art that welcomes physical h
 andling. Into these textiles\, she constructs flaps that hide ambiguous ph
 rases like “You’ll always be mine\,” and “It will never be like th
 is again” – statements that can seem optimistic or menacing. Clay comb
 ines the soft textures\, the text\, and the not-quite-familiar forms to in
 spire both comfort and unease. \nClay uses the strangeness of an archetypa
 l forest as a metaphor for the sense of unfamiliarity and disorientation t
 hat can accompany mental health experiences such as hallucinations. She wr
 ites\, “I aim to confront and understand fear and anxiety\, both for mys
 elf and others. My work allows individuals to touch\, hear\, and immerse t
 hemselves in a safe space to experience uncertainty.” \nDuring the 2nd F
 riday ArtWalk\, we will be celebrating with drinks and snacks. Clay will b
 e onsite to talk with attendees\, as well as make some informal remarks an
 d answer the crowd’s questions about her artwork around 7PM. \nJoin us f
 or an evening honoring Jen Clay and welcoming the installation to our comm
 unity. \nRSVP is required. Each person RSVPing may claim a drink ticket (n
 on-alcoholic or alcoholic)\; ID will be checked at the bar.
GEO:35.912593;-79.054867
LOCATION:Ackland Art Museum
SUMMARY:2nd Friday ArtWalk: Opening Reception for “Jen Clay: Soft Night\,
  Watching”
URL;VALUE=URI:https://calendar.unc.edu/event/2nd-friday-artwalk-opening-rec
 eption-for-jen-clay-soft-night-watching
CATEGORIES:Exhibits
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR