The Sun and Moon Series at the Belmont Hotel presents an entirely unique artist residency created by Dallas native Matthew Brinston. Every Thursday through November 4, beginning at 7 p.m. Brinston shares his creative process by inviting a crowd of artists, musicians, writers, and creatives to critique his work as he creates it. The invitation is undoubtedly something most artists would shy away from if not outright reject.
At the Belmont, Brinston has turned his residency into a performative piece meant to inspire unity and collaboration. The artist teamed up with Jason Burt of Medicine Man Revival to provide the musical atmosphere. Though kept under wraps for weeks and only open to a select group, this evening The Sun and Moon Series welcomes the public.
Patron interviewed Brinston and Jason Burt on the artist residency and environment they?ve cultivated.
Patron: Tell us a bit about The Sun and Moon Series.
Brinston: The Sun and Moon Series is an event that has taken place the past three Thursdays and will continue for one more month. I?m inviting all artists, creatives, and anyone interested to come talk and get inspired with whatever we?re doing that night.
P: Why the Belmont Hotel?
B: The Belmont seems to cater to artists and I wanted to have The Sun and Moon Series there because the venue really adds to the cultural capital of Dallas and the hotel itself is just really inspiring.
P: How did the series develop?
B: It started when I met Jordan Ford after the first round of my show Vacation Studio was shut down earlier this summer by the fire marshall. I was trying to get the certificate of occupancy for the building hosting Vacation Studio to have the show again and it wasn?t working. A week before the second attempt, I met Jordan and we spoke about doing an Artist Residency at the Belmont. I ended up calling him two days before Vacation Studio was supposed to take place for the second time and asked if I could do the event at the Belmont. He didn?t expect me to call him less than a week later to plan an event, but we made it happen. The Sun and Moon Series is the follow-up to Vacation Studio and part of the artist residency.
P: How is it working with Jordan Ford?
B: Fantastic. He is incredibly charismatic when it comes to having a cultural presence in the community. We wanted this series to leave a mark on the hotel, and offer events that had longevity and permanence in Dallas. He told me he wanted more people to hear about the event so they were sure to get invited to the next one. He?s really given me creative freedom and I feel at home there.
P: This question goes to both of you, what is the goal of this series?
B: To create a real community and inspire. To show what the community has to offer and match artists with collectors or people that can help accelerate their work.
Jason Burt: Get the Belmont notoriety for its unlimited willingness to build the artist community and bring artists to the forefront of the perception of Dallas.
P: Tell me a little bit about the difference from the first part of the series and the second.
B: The first half was low-key to see what we could do and what it was capable of. We didn?t want to push it via social media or through publications. The second half will be a bit more public and present a few more surprises.
P: Brinston, you?ve been working on a new series of patterned figures during this residency at the Belmont. Did the Belmont have any influence on the series?
It started in my home studio but really developed during the first Sun and Moon event when I was painting in front of everyone?it really solidified then. Trying to bring all of these people together fits the aesthetic of these new paintings. All of the overlapping bodies signifying unification. I feel like that needs to happen more, especially in this time. The response to the series has been very good. People are constantly stopping me and telling me how the series has inspired them.
P: Who are some of the contributors to the event?
B: Jason Burt from Medicine Man Revival has been handling all of the music for the events. Cure for Paranoia played last week, Sudie the week before that, and Picnictyme before that.
P: Jason, what vibe are you try to convey each Thursday night?
JB: It?s an artistic vibe, for the artist, by the artist. To give everyone a spot to avoid dull conversations and bad music and to network these younger artists who are crushing it and just need a better platform to collaborate.
P: What?s coming up for tonight?
B: You?ll have to come at seven and see.
P: Talk about this new work you?re doing with rhythmic figures.
B: I had this one long and skinny canvas that I was frustrated with for a long time and the balance and rhythm of recurring figures just fit the canvas so perfectly, it tied everything together and made the shape of the canvas make sense. That canvas frustrated me for five months.
P: How has your practice developed during your residency at the Belmont?
B: I have learned more about collaboration and the involvement that it takes for it to be a successful collaboration. Communication and proper execution are a huge part. I have also learned how important it is to use your talent to inspire. It?s evident when I put myself in that vulnerable place?
painting in front of the crowd?the more inspiration the spectators get from it. If we don?t inspire others with our gifts I believe we are doing an injustice.
P: Do you feel like this event is successfully bringing out some of the best talent in Dallas?
B: I would say yeah. I?ve never seen anything like this. This whole thing isn?t about selling art, even though all of the art is for sale. It?s just about making art and inspiring the community. It seems like a success to me after every night. It?s beautiful seeing all of those people there. I can see it in their eyes when they talk to me. They seem rejuvenated and truly inspired. And that?s what it is all about. I wasn?t born to do this, but I?m alive to do this and the series is just a part of it.
P: Are there any surprises you can let us in on?
B: There will be a more permanent piece?they want me to leave a mark there. Like a suite-sized mark, and maybe something with a Tesla, so stay tuned for that.