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PODCAST

What’s My Thesis?

What’s My Thesis? is a podcast that examines art, philosophy, and culture through longform, unfiltered conversations. Hosted by artist Javier Proenza, each episode challenges assumptions and invites listeners to engage deeply with creative and intellectual ideas beyond surface-level discourse.

society & culture philosophy

All Episodes

01:05:29

259 The Radical Intimacy of the House Gallery:...

What’s My Thesis? ·

2025/05/11

In this episode of What's My Thesis?, host Javier Proenza is joined by Liz Hirsch, co-director of 839 Gallery—an artist-run house gallery in Los Angeles that reimagines what a commercial art space can look and feel like. Located in a 1924 Craftsman home, 839 is part of a growing network of intimate, artist-centered spaces shaping the future of exhibition-making in L.A. With a background in arts education, community organizing, and curatorial work at institutions like Artists Space and Essex Flowers,

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01:40:32

258 Queer Spectacle, Polaroid Realities, and the Art...

What’s My Thesis? ·

2025/05/04

Queer Spectacle, Polaroid Realities, and the Art of Wrestling with Identity with Christopher Anthony VelascoIn this illuminating episode of What’s My Thesis?, host Javier Proenza welcomes artist and educator Christopher Anthony Velasco—a polymath of performative personas, analog photography, and speculative queer mythologies. Known for his immersive character work and deep engagement with the aesthetics of subversion, Velasco brings an electrifying mix of vulnerability, irreverence, and narrative

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01:26:25

257 Building a Gallery from the Ground Up:...

What’s My Thesis? ·

2025/04/27

In this episode of the podcast, host Javier Proenza is joined by Rhett Baruch, founder of the contemporary art space Rhett Baruch Gallery, for a candid conversation that moves fluidly between car culture and curatorial strategy—touching on everything from VTEC engines and flat-plane V8s to the architecture of gallery identity in Los Angeles.Baruch discusses his unconventional journey from car enthusiast to gallerist, tracing how a passion for craftsmanship, aesthetics, and the tactile qualities

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01:03:46

256 Worldbuilding Through Memory and Myth: Elias...

What’s My Thesis? ·

2025/04/13

"Worldbuilding Through Memory and Myth: Elias Hernandez on Storytelling, Surrealism, and the Legacy of Conflict"In this immersive episode of What’s My Thesis?, host Javier Proenza welcomes artist and educator Elias Hernandez, whose deeply narrative visual practice draws from Latin American surrealism, video game aesthetics, and inherited stories of displacement and resilience. A recent MFA graduate from USC and collaborator with cult streetwear label Brain Dead, Hernandez charts a complex universe

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01:16:16

255 Sanctuary in Practice: Art, Advocacy, and...

What’s My Thesis? ·

2025/04/06

Episode Title: “Sanctuary in Practice: Art, Advocacy, and Survival with Dalia Palacios”In this luminous and profoundly intimate episode of What’s My Thesis?, host Javier Proenza is joined by teaching artist and community advocate Dalia Palacios, whose multidisciplinary practice and lived experience offer a compelling meditation on resilience, displacement, motherhood, and the transformative power of art. Palacios, born and raised in Echo Park, Los Angeles, recounts her early creative awakening amid

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01:33:19

254 Art as Infrastructure: A Conversation on Social...

What’s My Thesis? ·

2025/03/30

Art as Infrastructure: A Conversation on Social Practice, Community, and the Evolving Role of Nonprofit Art Spaces in Los AngelesAn interview with Pranay Reddy, Director of LA Artcore In this compelling episode of What’s My Thesis?, host Javier Proenza sits down with Pranay Reddy, the director of LA Artcore, for a far-reaching conversation that explores the role of nonprofit art spaces as vital community infrastructure in Los Angeles. With clarity, conviction, and deep sincerity, Reddy offers an

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01:28:00

253 Artist-Run Futures, and Burning the Art World...

What’s My Thesis? ·

2025/03/23

Spiritual Kinship, Artist-Run Futures, and Burning the Art World Down (Gently) - Cat GunnIn this episode of What’s My Thesis, Javier Proenza welcomes Cat Gunn—artist, curator, and co-organizer of Other Places Art Fair South (OPAF South)—for a wide-ranging conversation on community, creative identity, and the radical possibilities within artist-run spaces. Rooted in their early relationship to art and shaped by their current role in the San Diego-based initiative Harvest and Gather, the dialogue

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01:05:51

252 Art Criticism, Political Engagement, and the Role...

What’s My Thesis? ·

2025/03/16

Art Criticism, Political Engagement, and the Role of Discontent with Elwyn Palmerton What’s My Thesis? Podcast | Hosted by Javier Proenza In this incisive and far-ranging episode of What’s My Thesis?, host Javier Proenza welcomes artist and writer Elwyn Palmerton for a wide-reaching dialogue that explores the intersections of contemporary art, cultural criticism, and local political activism. From Palmerton’s formative years navigating the vibrant New York art scene of the late 1990s to his incisive

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01:18:54

251 What’s My Thesis? – Live from Orange Coast...

What’s My Thesis? ·

2025/03/09

What’s My Thesis? – Live from Orange Coast College: Dakota Noot on Art, Censorship & Community BuildingOrange Coast College | Frank M. Doyle Pavilion | Southern California Art Scene In this milestone episode of What’s My Thesis?, host Javier Proenza sits down with artist, curator, and community-builder Dakota Noot for a special conversation inside an ambitious group exhibition at the Frank M. Doyle Pavilion at Orange Coast College. As the acting gallery director, Noot reflects on their

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01:09:34

250 The Business of Art: Building a Sustainable...

What’s My Thesis? ·

2025/03/02

The Business of Art: Building a Sustainable Market with Tyler Park Presents In this deep dive episode of What’s My Thesis, we explore the intricate world of contemporary art galleries, artist representation, and the strategies behind building a sustainable market for emerging artists. Our guest, Tyler Park, founder of Tyler Park Presents, shares invaluable insights from his journey navigating the art world—from his early days as an artist to becoming a gallerist dedicated to elevating emerging

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01:14:20

249 Exploring the Weird and Wonderful: Art, Aliens,...

What’s My Thesis? ·

2025/02/23

What do UFOs, roadside attractions, and outsider art have in common? In this episode, we dive into the world of creative obsession, unconventional artistry, and the mysteries of the universe. Our guest, artist Mary Sabo, takes us on a journey through the cultural quirks of Las Vegas, the surreal nature of desert landscapes, and the fascinating realm of DIY inventors and alchemists.We discuss: 🔹 The allure of roadside attractions like Salvation Mountain and the House on the Rock 🔹 The intersection

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01:15:13

248 Embracing the Artist’s Journey with Clarisse...

What’s My Thesis? ·

2025/02/09

Episode Summary: In this episode of What's My Thesis, host Javier Proenza sits down with artist Clarisse Abelarde to discuss her artistic journey, the impact of technology on contemporary culture, and the realities of making a living as an artist. From her immigrant experience moving from the Philippines to the U.S. at 14 to navigating the competitive art world, Clarisse shares her insights on balancing creativity with financial stability, the significance of artist residencies, and the evolving

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01:08:00

247 Surviving, Creating, and Building: A Conversation...

What’s My Thesis? ·

2025/02/02

In this deeply personal and thought-provoking episode of What's My Thesis?, host Javier Proenza sits down with artist, educator, and community builder Zeina Baltagi for an unfiltered discussion on survival, art, and the intersections of mobility—physical, economic, and spiritual.Zeina shares their journey of resilience, from surviving childhood illness and economic instability to navigating the evolving landscape of contemporary art and activism. They reflect on the profound impact of survivor’s

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01:25:32

246 How to Get Involved in Local Politics -...

What’s My Thesis? ·

2025/01/26

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01:10:44

245 Photography, Family Archives, and Artistic...

What’s My Thesis? ·

2025/01/12

Photography, Family Archives, and Artistic Entrepreneurship - Hiroshi ClarkIn this episode, Hiroshi Clark shares his journey as a photographer whose work blends personal history with an exploration of Japanese and American cultural influences. Hiroshi talks about his creative process, the emotional impact of family archives, and the intricacies of his recent art exhibition and publication. We dive into his approach to photography, how he draws inspiration from late 1960s and early 1970s Japanese

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01:28:39

244 The End of Art School Critiques - Amir Zaki

What’s My Thesis? ·

2025/01/05

The End of Art School Critiques with Amir Zaki | Episode 244In this episode, photographer Amir Zaki joins Javier Proenza to explore the dramatic shift in art school critiques and how they've evolved from rigorous technical assessments to something much more complex and subjective. As an artist who’s experienced both sides of the critique system, Amir offers a unique perspective on how the traditional model of evaluating art is becoming increasingly obsolete in today’s art world. Art school

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01:04:34

243 Post Colonial Realities - Kader Amkpa

What’s My Thesis? ·

2024/12/15

Kader Ampka talks about growing up in New York with ties to West Africa, the BRICS economic Alliance, and how different maps inform his art practice.

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01:25:28

242 The Las Vegas Art Scene - Artist Brent Holmes

What’s My Thesis? ·

2024/12/08

Artist Brent Holmes breaks down the Las Vegas art scene, and whether peace as an ideal runs counter to human nature.

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01:01:40

241 Painting: Metaphysics & Bacchanal - Painter Oscar...

What’s My Thesis? ·

2024/11/24

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01:03:05

240 1980's Los Angeles Art Scene - Anthony Ausgang

What’s My Thesis? ·

2024/11/17

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279 results

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