Geri Wittig

Dear Chancellor Cantor,

My name is Geri Wittig and I am an artist with C5, a new media
collective that has exhibited internationally, including the venues
such as the London ICA, Ars Electronica, and the Whitney Biennial. I
am writing as a professional artist who would like to advocate for the
reinstatement of Astria Suparak to her position as Director of the
Warehouse Gallery. I met Astria this past July, when I visited the
Warehouse Gallery to see the exhibition, Networked Nature, which
included work by C5. During my visit, over the course of 24 hours, I
realized quickly what an asset Astria is to the Syracuse art
community. Firstly the press packet I received from her regarding the
exhibition was one of the most comprehensive and professional press
packages that I've ever received as an exhibiting artist. Over the
course of the evening in discussion with Astria, I came to know an
extremely knowledgeable and professional curator, who was working
diligently to create art events and exhibitions that are on par with
what is being exhibited in centers for cultural production, such as
NYC and Berlin. In fact one of the artists in Networked Nature, Shih
Chieh Huang, was included in the Venice Biennale this summer – the
exhibitions Astria presented were of a high caliber that was in
alignment with the most professional levels of the fine art arena. In
visiting with a variety of art professionals in Syracuse, such as city
officials with the public art program and Anthony Malavenda of the
Redhouse Gallery, I saw and admired a strong desire and will to
enhance and further develop the cultural landscape of the city of
Syracuse. In all of these discussions, it was apparent that Astria was
a key player in those efforts. I believe letting her go from the
Warehouse Gallery really is a huge loss to and setback for those
efforts.

sincerely,
Geri Wittig
C5 Corporation
www.c5corp.com