James L. Acord

A short piece about James L. Acord was recently published in the New Scientist. The article does a good job of summarizing one of the last projects Jim was working on before he took his life. He was making plutonium for inclusion in his “Fifth Reliquary.” Though the quantities of plutonium being produced were practically insignificant (otherwise I would likely have had more than one “difficult” conversation with some serious men at an undisclosed location by now), let’s not forget that he was making plutonium in his (subsidized) apartment!

It is a sweet irony that I should learn of the New Scientist article the same day that I toured the Hanford B Reactor where the plutonium for Fat Man, and classified thousands of other warheads, was produced. In Hanford, enough plutonium to destroy the Earth hundreds of times over. In Seattle, Jim produces plutonium in quantities practical only for conceptual art.

The Arts Catalyst, a contemporary art agency in London that commissions contemporary art that experimentally and critically engages with science, is hosting an evening to remember Jim’s life and work: James Acord: A Life in the Nuclear Age “You Can’t Make This Shit Up.”

The evening will include an exhibit of work by James Acord, stories of his work, film clips, photos, and a reading from ‘The Book of Ash’, a novel based on Acord’s life, by the author James Flint.

The Arts Catalyst
50-54 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1M 5PS

29 March, 20110
7-9.30pm
Free

Thanks to Nicola Triscott, Rob La Frenais, and everyone else at the Arts Catalyst.

You can see more on Jim’s work with The Arts Catalyst on their site:
http://www.artscatalyst.org/projects/detail/atomic_london/

A memorial is being held this Saturday, March 12, for James. View the Evite Invitation to RSVP.

Many thanks to Tom, Linley, and Janet for getting this done!

Seattle Times Obituary.

There will be a public memorial for James Acord on Saturday March 12, 3:00 – 6:00pm, at the New Orleans in Pioneer Square, Seattle.

View the Evite Invitation to RSVP

Please join us to remember and celebrate the life of James L. Acord who passed on January 9 in his Seattle apartment.

It is a testament to his life that his friends–his surrogate family–have banded together to handle his final affairs, honor his life, and preserve his artistic legacy. It is through his art and through his community that Jim will live on.

Food and soft drinks will be provided; beer, wine and spirits may be had from the cash bar.

Come to share stories of Jim with others who love him and to be surrounded by his drawings, paintings, sculptures, and photos of his work.

We are asking for donations in lieu of flowers to cover legal and funeral expenses and memorial arrangements. Any funds collected above cost will be donated to a charity patronized by Jim. Cash or checks written out to Sandra Bauer will be collected at the memorial.

Memorial for James L. Acord
New Orleans
114 First Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98104

Saturday March 12, 3:00 – 6:00pm

In 1991, Philip Schuyler wrote a two-part profile on Jim for the New Yorker.

Today they posted a postcript on Philip’s piece, a thoughtful obituary.

James Acord, Alchemist for the Nuclear Age, by Jon Michaud

We are just getting this site up and running… it will serve as a way to remember James Acord, his life and work. More soon.

Please click on the “Thoughts” tab above and leave a comment or a memory.

You are also encouraged to contribute photos to the James L. Acord flickr pool.