Geovanni Barrios Opens RMCAD Friction Series on Identity and Nature

Barrios, a Yale-educated artist and former orchestral tubist based in New Haven, bridges archival research with personal history in his creative practice. His talk will specifically examine the influence of Scouting America on mid-century figures like George Nakashima and Clyfford Still, while reflecting on his own career path. His work spans painting, sculpture, and performance, often interrogating the rigid definitions of masculinity and national identity found within the American landscape.

Director of Creative Programming Gretchen Schaefer noted that the new series intends to highlight artists who lean into discomfort rather than seeking digital ease. By inviting Barrios to discuss his background in arts conservation at institutions like The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the college aims to foster a dialogue on how complexity shapes contemporary worldviews. The event begins at 6:00 p.m. MT and is open to the public both in person and via a live stream.