This weekend a new exhibition called D U A L I T Y opens at Norfolk’s Slowdive Gallery. Slowdive has been open as a fully public space for less than a year and this marks its fourth major exhibition. In that short time, Slowdive has already become nearly synonymous with the creative pulse of the 757. We got to chatting with Slowdive’s owner, Creative Director, and low-key Norfolk legend, Charles Rasputin, to learn more about Slowdive and D U A L I T Y.
While Slowdive got fully operational in September 2021, the first show, OUR STREETS launched nearly a year earlier amid the global pandemic. OUR STREETS explored 15 photographers’ perspectives from the streets of Richmond during the wave of activism and protests following the murder of George Floyd. Rasputin shared that Slowdive brought this show to the gallery despite the COVID-19 restrictions that prevented regular operations “because of its timely nature and urgency […] and specifically because of its importance.” OUR STREETS received glowing reviews from attendees and media outlets alike, and even became a self-published book.
While Slowdive might be new to Norfolk, the man behind the project is not. Charles Rasputin has been a force in the Norfolk arts scene, most recently leading Alchemy NFK and Work | Release in the NEON District. Rasputin credits the same creative energy he poured into building NEON anchors as driving his latest project. In his words, he’s started Slowdive “to create something self-sustaining that could honor the process and product of the artist and creative, teach the semantics of the creative culture’s real-life survival in a world governed by the politics of the dollar.” In that vein, Slowdive sets out to be “safe space where all people, real people – normal citizens, as well as the creative set – can come to be their unique selves, harness and hone their artistic identities and build the sustainable foundation for a real, thriving creative culture that is centered by relevance and authenticity.” With a history of culture-moving projects and deeply held values woven into every move, Slowdive is something to keep your eye on.
Since dialing in operations in September, Slowdive has two shows under its belt. First, Andy Harris’ SITE SEEING showcases new works by an artist whose work and perspective are described as “a perfect intersection of time, place & practice.” As a unique move, Harris’ exhibition also featured a vending machine where patrons could purchase small pieces of original artwork.
Most recently, Slowdive Gallery hosted Berkvisual’s show GLITCH CITY. Berkvisual spent his 20s and 30s alongside Rasputin as an artist and friend in Norfolk’s art circles but has since found his way into the Los Angelos scene. The GLITCH CITY show examined the days in the lives of creative culture in Norfolk and beyond with visual and new media, experimental film, and analog flair. The works of nearly a dozen artists came together to build the encompassing experience, which centered on an array of old TVs with ever-changing glitchy visuals.
Artistic showcasing is most definitely core to Slowdive, but it’s only one part of the equation. Another massive piece of the experience is nightlife. Alongside, between, and adjacent to each artistic exhibition have been many well-programmed nights starting at 9:00 pm and later. While Slowdive welcomes all humans young or young at heart, the venue is 21+ and Rasputin was pulling no punches on the matter, saying “there’s enough family-friendly spaces in the suburbs of the seven cities and in the Flavortown Districts,” while making clear he sees a shortage in “spaces where the adults and creatives can roam free and be themselves as well.” The nightlife aspect of Slowdive should not come as a surprise to locals familiar with his previous project, Work | Release, which cultivated a loyal late-night crowd. However, it’s not about partying for Rasputin; he feels “the intersection of art and nightlife is the truest church, the most authentic worship of human creative divinity.” It’s here in this intersection where Rasputin hopes “we learn to look after ourselves, look after one another, and how to share space with difference and coexist peacefully and with love.” Slowdive isn’t really for the art, as much as it’s a space for artists to thrive.
This weekend, a new exhibition comes to Slowdive Gallery. D U A L I T Y, curated by Soul Flower, debuts March 10th at 7:00 pm and runs through the end of March. Soul Flower wants to use this gallery showing to redefine what it means to celebrate National Women’s Month. According to Soul Flower, the show will “celebrate the divine feminine and those who embody it through their music and art.”
Contributing artists include Alanna George, Vivian Rose, Earfth Gurl, Kristin Pino, Kailynn Marie Bonillo, Mars, Angela Martin, Startt, Beth Nottingham, Sol, Stephanie Munuve, and Milkyelizabeth.
Soul Flower provided this accompanying artist statement:
REGARDLESS OF GENDER OR GENDER NON-CONFORMING STATUS, WE HAVE ALL INTERNALIZED THE TOXIC MASCULINE AND THE DEGENERATION OF THE DIVINE FEMININE. UNWORTHINESS IS A RESULT OF THIS IMBALANCE; IT MANIFESTS EMOTIONALLY, SPIRITUALLY & PHYSICALLY WITHIN US. BALANCING AND TRANSCENDING THIS POLARITY IS A PATHWAY TOWARDS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.
If it’s your first time making it out to Slowdive, Rasputin, the man himself, recommends coming to the exhibit early and hanging around late to watch the crowd flow and change around you.
Catch you there.
Paul Stetson Rice
Chelsea, NFK
Paul is the creator of NFKVA.com. He was born and raised in Norfolk, graduated from Virginia Tech, and narrowly avoided law school. Chat with him about economics, entrepreneurship, hip-hop, and hiking. When he's not working on five different projects, you'll catch him sharing a beer with friends at a local brewery.
