Theres something sad about the empty old space once occupied by Elliott Bay Book Co., its shelves ripped out, For Rent signs in the windows, yet another vacancy in blighted Pioneer Square. Yet the Center on Contemporary Art (CoCA) brought new life to the cavernous space, albeit temporarily, for its recent 24-hour art marathon. And in its smaller adjacent storefront, the new Memory Upgrade show also has links to the gloomy economy. Its 16 artists were selected for how they responded to the global financial crisis by changing various aspects of their work. Meaning, if you cant afford paint, you use your own blood? Or reverse old canvases to paint on the other side? Or, says Nia Michaels of her small tin icons of imaginary saints, When the economy turns rough, the first reaction is to go even smaller. Go smaller and pray. BRIAN MILLER
Thu., Dec. 2, 6-9 p.m.; Tuesdays-Saturdays. Starts: Dec. 2. Continues through Jan. 1, 2010
