This Friday marks the last day of workshops at Goddard's Fall 2010 MFA residency. We are all tired, but happy to be having our study plans approved, and to be going to our respective homes tomorrow.
Yesterday was a day full of loveliness. Petra, one of the faculty members here and her partner, Niel, gave a participatory performance based on the Berlin Holocaust Memorial, which currently does not have accessibility for disabled people, or people who have trouble walking such as elderly people. Petra, who is from Germany and uses a wheelchair to get around, and Niel, who is an American Jew and uses a wheelchair to get around, gave some context for the piece. During the Holocaust, not only were Jewish people and people of color prosecuted and killed, disabled individuals were, too. And Petra explains how this historical happening is reflected in Berlin today, as being a place that is very hard for disabled people to live as few efforts have been made to create accessible spaces and places.
Olympias is the name of Petra and Niel's collective, and they create participatory scores, or actions that invite the audience to experience art through just that (experience). They work this way, because many of the people in the collective are disabled, and for a variety of reasons, cannot commit to a regular rehearsal schedule. So, off we went. We participated in a ritual performance that was both beautifully simple and powerful. Lots of silence, and contemplation, touching of hands and being with people. The silence erupted into laughter, and back to soft breathing. The ritual reminded us of both the life and death experienced in the Holocaust, and the residual still present today. It reminded us of our own life and made us aware of the lives of others we share our lives with. It was beautiful. I was struck by how simple the ritual was. I think about how we are always trying to make the biggest, best thing, complicated with lots of flash. The more, the better, right? Not always. Being at this performance makes me want to experiment with some participatory dance presentations, and simple rituals. Scores and actions.
It is almost 10, and I have another workshop to attend!
~Cara
Friday, August 27, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
From Goddard Again
I am slowly getting used to the change in time zones and my sleep is slowly getting better. However, I still have a lot of catching up to do!
These past two days have been colored by time spent with my advising group, which is an intimate group of four students, plus our adviser, Ju-Pong. We've spent much of our time getting to know each other and our individual art practices in a deeper way. We have been checking in, and communicating to each other what we desire from our engagement this semester. Yesterday, we ventured into town. Port Townsend is a charming little port place, with beautiful boats everywhere and a grand view of the sound and the mountains growing into the sky. The sun was shining yesterday, and it was the first day since I've been here that I felt alright with taking off my jacket. Over coffee (tea for me!), we participate in a group activity, involving score writing. These scores are simply tasks, presented visually, and can be openly interpreted by the viewer. Mine has a lot of arrows and little pictures at various points along the trajectory of the score. In my mind, this is a spatial pattern, with exclamations of spontaneous movement sequences. To Mindy, my group mate sitting across from me at the table, it is a story. We all have a chance to interpret another's score, and in my hands is a swirly, soft offering by Dehanna. I decide that it is to be an arm phrase, with specific torso movements involved.
Laura is in my same advising group, and we talk about our feelings and expectations away from the group. At first, I had been thinking that perhaps I'd made an ill-informed choice about which adviser I am currently working with. Though Ju-Pong is a seemingly wonderful person, with plenty of expertise in many areas, I wondered if her unintrusive, soft (though I don't really think soft is the correct word) nature would butt up against my personality. During our individual meeting time, I felt it difficult to gauge our rapport, and how we would actually work together. However, after speaking about it further to Laura, I think there is more good in this new relationship than bad. Laura pointed out that since our main focus this semester is collaborating with each other, we are in essence, acting as an advising buffer for ourselves. Ju-Pong is there to oversee that process, but not to stir it up too much. To pose questions to us, but not to lead us to the answers. And after our fun group session yesterday, I am much more confident that my semester dialoguing with Ju-Pong will be productive in ways that I had not originally imagined.
Back at the campus yesterday afternoon, I attended a boat-building workshop with another faculty member, Seitu. One thing is clear: I cannot follow a diagram to save my life. I hope the boat works when it's finished. I was glad to have Rhonda in our group, to help measure and draw out the pencil lines that will be cut later to make the various aspects of the boat. She reveals to me that she is not a stranger to wood working, like I am. Phew. Maybe the boat will float, after all!
To round out the evening, I show rough cuts of my new film, "Kitchen Table" at our Considered Space presentation, which is basically a critique session. I got some generally good feedback, but felt myself getting defensive about certain aspects of the film. Most specifically, my choice to not show the entire body for the interior shots and my subdued relationship to Mackenzie in the film, who exudes a huge personality. I have to remind myself again that the critique is not about me. That all of these opinions coming from all sides, of vastly different natures, are just opinions. Those that I find helpful, I can use. Those that I don't find helpful, I can thank the people that express those opinions and leave it alone. I think the one that hurt the most was the comment about the adagio section, that it had "Ramada Inn lighting" and that I'd ruined the space with some of the art direction. I'm doing it again. I guess my point is, that no matter how objective you can be, when you are in the room, experiencing a critique, it is hard to let yourself go. Ultimately, the film will be what I decide it will be. And that is that. I was elated about it until yesterday. But I should still be elated. This film is a big step for me!
Late yesterday evening, I help Laura and Mindy make little cheesecakes for a meeting tonight. They are an experiment on Laura's part, who was heading up this baking effort. But, they turn out really well! So, on to some more workshops and academic jargon. It's hump day.
~Cara
These past two days have been colored by time spent with my advising group, which is an intimate group of four students, plus our adviser, Ju-Pong. We've spent much of our time getting to know each other and our individual art practices in a deeper way. We have been checking in, and communicating to each other what we desire from our engagement this semester. Yesterday, we ventured into town. Port Townsend is a charming little port place, with beautiful boats everywhere and a grand view of the sound and the mountains growing into the sky. The sun was shining yesterday, and it was the first day since I've been here that I felt alright with taking off my jacket. Over coffee (tea for me!), we participate in a group activity, involving score writing. These scores are simply tasks, presented visually, and can be openly interpreted by the viewer. Mine has a lot of arrows and little pictures at various points along the trajectory of the score. In my mind, this is a spatial pattern, with exclamations of spontaneous movement sequences. To Mindy, my group mate sitting across from me at the table, it is a story. We all have a chance to interpret another's score, and in my hands is a swirly, soft offering by Dehanna. I decide that it is to be an arm phrase, with specific torso movements involved.
Laura is in my same advising group, and we talk about our feelings and expectations away from the group. At first, I had been thinking that perhaps I'd made an ill-informed choice about which adviser I am currently working with. Though Ju-Pong is a seemingly wonderful person, with plenty of expertise in many areas, I wondered if her unintrusive, soft (though I don't really think soft is the correct word) nature would butt up against my personality. During our individual meeting time, I felt it difficult to gauge our rapport, and how we would actually work together. However, after speaking about it further to Laura, I think there is more good in this new relationship than bad. Laura pointed out that since our main focus this semester is collaborating with each other, we are in essence, acting as an advising buffer for ourselves. Ju-Pong is there to oversee that process, but not to stir it up too much. To pose questions to us, but not to lead us to the answers. And after our fun group session yesterday, I am much more confident that my semester dialoguing with Ju-Pong will be productive in ways that I had not originally imagined.
Back at the campus yesterday afternoon, I attended a boat-building workshop with another faculty member, Seitu. One thing is clear: I cannot follow a diagram to save my life. I hope the boat works when it's finished. I was glad to have Rhonda in our group, to help measure and draw out the pencil lines that will be cut later to make the various aspects of the boat. She reveals to me that she is not a stranger to wood working, like I am. Phew. Maybe the boat will float, after all!
To round out the evening, I show rough cuts of my new film, "Kitchen Table" at our Considered Space presentation, which is basically a critique session. I got some generally good feedback, but felt myself getting defensive about certain aspects of the film. Most specifically, my choice to not show the entire body for the interior shots and my subdued relationship to Mackenzie in the film, who exudes a huge personality. I have to remind myself again that the critique is not about me. That all of these opinions coming from all sides, of vastly different natures, are just opinions. Those that I find helpful, I can use. Those that I don't find helpful, I can thank the people that express those opinions and leave it alone. I think the one that hurt the most was the comment about the adagio section, that it had "Ramada Inn lighting" and that I'd ruined the space with some of the art direction. I'm doing it again. I guess my point is, that no matter how objective you can be, when you are in the room, experiencing a critique, it is hard to let yourself go. Ultimately, the film will be what I decide it will be. And that is that. I was elated about it until yesterday. But I should still be elated. This film is a big step for me!
Late yesterday evening, I help Laura and Mindy make little cheesecakes for a meeting tonight. They are an experiment on Laura's part, who was heading up this baking effort. But, they turn out really well! So, on to some more workshops and academic jargon. It's hump day.
~Cara
Monday, August 23, 2010
Reporting From Goddard
Returning to Goddard College for my third residency has been met with some resistance, like so many other things in my fast changing life lately. Feeling like there is still much work to be done at home, and precious time to be spent with my new husband, I had a hard time pulling myself away to embark on the long day of journeying it takes to get to Goddard.
Journeying aside, my first few days at Goddard have been colored by much stomach discomfort, as my body begrudgingly absorbs food it is not used to. Sigh.
Stomach aside, there have been some lovely instances of light while I have been here. I am so excited to see my friends, Natalie, Alessandra, Stephanie, Roslyn, and Laura, all of whom are my house mates. We make tea and talk through the night. We share music and sweaters for the cold temperatures here. Lily Yeh has been our guest artist these past few days, and has imparted to us a wonderful glimpse into her wonderful community art practice. I can see that she is very passionate about what she does, she is a hard worker, who isn't afraid to get dirty, and engage with those people who many would deem incapable of appreciating or making art. She explains her eighteen-year beautification project in North Philadelphia, where she made abandoned lots and condemned houses into public sculpture gardens with the help of community children and drug dealers. She noted the changes that occurred in the people she's worked with, in particular, a man she called "Big man," who had dealt and done drugs for many years. As the projects grew, "Big Man" decided that as long as he could make this art for his community, he would no longer need drugs. How lovely. She describes her time in Rwanda, working with genocide survivors and the "untouchables" to create dignity and beauty in their village. She is adamant about having everyone's voices heard in the planning and execution of these public works, and people who have never had a voice before have voices now, that will be seen by many. Such dedication.
It is just after breakfast now, and I must attend one of the many workshop presentations during our residency. More to come.
~Cara
Journeying aside, my first few days at Goddard have been colored by much stomach discomfort, as my body begrudgingly absorbs food it is not used to. Sigh.
Stomach aside, there have been some lovely instances of light while I have been here. I am so excited to see my friends, Natalie, Alessandra, Stephanie, Roslyn, and Laura, all of whom are my house mates. We make tea and talk through the night. We share music and sweaters for the cold temperatures here. Lily Yeh has been our guest artist these past few days, and has imparted to us a wonderful glimpse into her wonderful community art practice. I can see that she is very passionate about what she does, she is a hard worker, who isn't afraid to get dirty, and engage with those people who many would deem incapable of appreciating or making art. She explains her eighteen-year beautification project in North Philadelphia, where she made abandoned lots and condemned houses into public sculpture gardens with the help of community children and drug dealers. She noted the changes that occurred in the people she's worked with, in particular, a man she called "Big man," who had dealt and done drugs for many years. As the projects grew, "Big Man" decided that as long as he could make this art for his community, he would no longer need drugs. How lovely. She describes her time in Rwanda, working with genocide survivors and the "untouchables" to create dignity and beauty in their village. She is adamant about having everyone's voices heard in the planning and execution of these public works, and people who have never had a voice before have voices now, that will be seen by many. Such dedication.
It is just after breakfast now, and I must attend one of the many workshop presentations during our residency. More to come.
~Cara
Thursday, August 19, 2010
I am Reminded...
The events of the past few days remind me of so many truths about artwork, and our place in it as artists.
On Monday, I along with a groups of others, sat on the Regional Artist Project Grant panel. All day long, we looked over applications, comparing proposals to budgets to work samples. It was both a long and exciting process. I was excited to help make the decision to grant some very young artists with what were for a few, their first grants. I was happy also, to help more established artists to continue practicing their craft. As we read through the applications, I am reminded, in a big way, that I cannot take rejection of proposals and applications personally. Nor can I take the acceptance of any proposal or application personally. Knowing that a panel of people, or even one person looking at an application cannot possibly spend the time it would take to make assumptions about you as a person, helped me to remember to be more objective when sending off my apps. It isn't about me. It is about the programs they (whatever organization they may be) need to curate. The money they have available to give. Need versus want, and so many other things.
This week brought a small handful of applications to be sent out. However few, these applications required many components. Many DVD's, many, many pieces of paper and a lot of creative thinking and explaining with flare. I was more than happy to put these packages in the hands of the post office attendant today: "Are there any fragile, perishable, liquid or flammable items in these packages?" No, just the future of my career...but given the circumstances of the Monday prior, and my lesson learned, I decide to think differently. It is out of my hands, literally and figuratively. So I breathe easy, and continue about my day.
In addition to the grant panel this week, I make a trip to Matthews, NC, where Brett, my cinematographer and editor now lives to continue work on our film, "Kitchen Table." We spend many hours, pouring over the shots, deciding what should go where, and if it fits with the music, etc. We clean up some shots, we scratch some shots. We discuss color correction, and the addition of Foley noise in certain parts. The film is really beginning to take shape! With this work, I am reminded that patience yields growth. Three years ago, when I began making films, I could have never imagined having the ability to make this film. I wanted nothing more to be good at making films. I just couldn't wait. And as I was sitting there, next to Brett, I realized that three years had taken no time at all to go by. And here we are, preparing for the premiere of our third dance film. I can only imagine what the next five or ten years will bring.
Yesterday, I head over to High Point University, where I will begin teaching again in just over a week. I speak to my boss, who asks for ideas on how we can increase the dance presence at HPU. My wheels are turning, as I do love a good challenge. I am excited to be back, and am very much looking forward to teaching. I see many of my colleagues, and exchange accounts of our summers away from each other. I learn that having a steady place to go is not a bad thing. I guess I just haven't thought of it until now, but it takes time to build things, like relationships, rapport, projects and more. I suppose I have never had the experience of having a long-term job before, and though this one is not officially that yet, Ed(my boss) has many times expressed his interest in making that happen for me. I wonder what that would be like. Will I get bored? Will I feel stuck? Will I feel at ease? Will I feel accomplished? I can't tell yet. But I look forward to what the year will offer.
On this day, I am preparing to return to my MFA program residency at Goddard. That wonderful place on the west coast where I can discuss art deeply, and spend time opening myself up to more possibility. I love it, and I can't wait. I keep in mind that it will be cold compared to our summer of 90 plus temperatures. And that I should probably bring a light jacket.
Tomorrow, I will be reporting from Port Townsend!
~Cara
On Monday, I along with a groups of others, sat on the Regional Artist Project Grant panel. All day long, we looked over applications, comparing proposals to budgets to work samples. It was both a long and exciting process. I was excited to help make the decision to grant some very young artists with what were for a few, their first grants. I was happy also, to help more established artists to continue practicing their craft. As we read through the applications, I am reminded, in a big way, that I cannot take rejection of proposals and applications personally. Nor can I take the acceptance of any proposal or application personally. Knowing that a panel of people, or even one person looking at an application cannot possibly spend the time it would take to make assumptions about you as a person, helped me to remember to be more objective when sending off my apps. It isn't about me. It is about the programs they (whatever organization they may be) need to curate. The money they have available to give. Need versus want, and so many other things.
This week brought a small handful of applications to be sent out. However few, these applications required many components. Many DVD's, many, many pieces of paper and a lot of creative thinking and explaining with flare. I was more than happy to put these packages in the hands of the post office attendant today: "Are there any fragile, perishable, liquid or flammable items in these packages?" No, just the future of my career...but given the circumstances of the Monday prior, and my lesson learned, I decide to think differently. It is out of my hands, literally and figuratively. So I breathe easy, and continue about my day.
In addition to the grant panel this week, I make a trip to Matthews, NC, where Brett, my cinematographer and editor now lives to continue work on our film, "Kitchen Table." We spend many hours, pouring over the shots, deciding what should go where, and if it fits with the music, etc. We clean up some shots, we scratch some shots. We discuss color correction, and the addition of Foley noise in certain parts. The film is really beginning to take shape! With this work, I am reminded that patience yields growth. Three years ago, when I began making films, I could have never imagined having the ability to make this film. I wanted nothing more to be good at making films. I just couldn't wait. And as I was sitting there, next to Brett, I realized that three years had taken no time at all to go by. And here we are, preparing for the premiere of our third dance film. I can only imagine what the next five or ten years will bring.
Yesterday, I head over to High Point University, where I will begin teaching again in just over a week. I speak to my boss, who asks for ideas on how we can increase the dance presence at HPU. My wheels are turning, as I do love a good challenge. I am excited to be back, and am very much looking forward to teaching. I see many of my colleagues, and exchange accounts of our summers away from each other. I learn that having a steady place to go is not a bad thing. I guess I just haven't thought of it until now, but it takes time to build things, like relationships, rapport, projects and more. I suppose I have never had the experience of having a long-term job before, and though this one is not officially that yet, Ed(my boss) has many times expressed his interest in making that happen for me. I wonder what that would be like. Will I get bored? Will I feel stuck? Will I feel at ease? Will I feel accomplished? I can't tell yet. But I look forward to what the year will offer.
On this day, I am preparing to return to my MFA program residency at Goddard. That wonderful place on the west coast where I can discuss art deeply, and spend time opening myself up to more possibility. I love it, and I can't wait. I keep in mind that it will be cold compared to our summer of 90 plus temperatures. And that I should probably bring a light jacket.
Tomorrow, I will be reporting from Port Townsend!
~Cara
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Soup!
Having just come back from the dance studio, I am awaiting a second batch of sweet potato soup to warm, so I can have a lovely dinner alone tonight. Rob is at work. But I have to say, I am excited about this soup, as I have changed the recipe slightly, and added butternut squash given to me by Jan when Laura was here, and a few changes to the amounts of each spice I've included.
Today in the studio, there was no work to be completed, I just needed to move my body and sweat. And sweat I did. It feels like an eternity since I have danced, even though it has been less than a week since my last visit to the studio. As I have taught my yoga classes this week, I notice that I've been tight. The result of anxiety and tension, no doubt.
Yesterday, Mom and I went to a Kundalini Yoga workshop with our favorite Kundalini teacher, Har Darshan. The topic of yesterday's workshop was prayer and actualization. Kundalini Yoga is fun for me, as it is a departure from the Hatha Yoga I am so used to. There are no sun salutations in Kundalini Yoga. However, there are moving meditations, beautiful mantra and much time to absorb the material being presented. It puts me in a completely different mindset from the day-to-day. I get to be in my head, but I occupy it in a way that is not the way I do when I am art-ing. Yesterday, I allowed the mantra and the meditations to vibrate in my body, and loosen resistance in my mind. I feel a lot of resistance lately. Resistance to the reality of every day life, and it's trials. Resistance to the coming big changes in my life that paradoxically, I am so looking forward to. After our session, my mind is a bit more at ease, and more ready to invite these changes fully into my person.
Yesterday also, I continued my vocal studies with Barbara. My range is expanding! I have about two and a half comfortable ocatves now. That is much improved from the one octave I had when I came to her. I am beginning to hear the difference in the timbre of my voice, and my ability to cultivate a smooth quality in my singing. I am having so much fun, and cannot wait to continue work with Laura on the vocal music for our collaborative project, "Common Threads."
Now on to finish looking over the grant applications for the Regional Artists Grants. The panel meets tomorrow to deliberate over who will get what, and I am very much looking forward to it! I am interested to hear what everyone has to say about each of the presented proposals.
And my soup is warm. Time to eat.
~Cara
Today in the studio, there was no work to be completed, I just needed to move my body and sweat. And sweat I did. It feels like an eternity since I have danced, even though it has been less than a week since my last visit to the studio. As I have taught my yoga classes this week, I notice that I've been tight. The result of anxiety and tension, no doubt.
Yesterday, Mom and I went to a Kundalini Yoga workshop with our favorite Kundalini teacher, Har Darshan. The topic of yesterday's workshop was prayer and actualization. Kundalini Yoga is fun for me, as it is a departure from the Hatha Yoga I am so used to. There are no sun salutations in Kundalini Yoga. However, there are moving meditations, beautiful mantra and much time to absorb the material being presented. It puts me in a completely different mindset from the day-to-day. I get to be in my head, but I occupy it in a way that is not the way I do when I am art-ing. Yesterday, I allowed the mantra and the meditations to vibrate in my body, and loosen resistance in my mind. I feel a lot of resistance lately. Resistance to the reality of every day life, and it's trials. Resistance to the coming big changes in my life that paradoxically, I am so looking forward to. After our session, my mind is a bit more at ease, and more ready to invite these changes fully into my person.
Yesterday also, I continued my vocal studies with Barbara. My range is expanding! I have about two and a half comfortable ocatves now. That is much improved from the one octave I had when I came to her. I am beginning to hear the difference in the timbre of my voice, and my ability to cultivate a smooth quality in my singing. I am having so much fun, and cannot wait to continue work with Laura on the vocal music for our collaborative project, "Common Threads."
Now on to finish looking over the grant applications for the Regional Artists Grants. The panel meets tomorrow to deliberate over who will get what, and I am very much looking forward to it! I am interested to hear what everyone has to say about each of the presented proposals.
And my soup is warm. Time to eat.
~Cara
Friday, August 13, 2010
Kicking and Screaming
I had a hard time adjusting as Laura left two days ago. It seems as though after all that art-ing, the real world is a jolting reminder that I have been deep in my head. Will Farrel movies, 401K talk at the bank and car insurance claims take me kicking and screaming out of my reverie.
We had such a wonderful lunch with Jan on Wednesday. She loved the sweet potato soup I made, as well as the three-bean salad! Which, I realized is much more of a fall dish than a summer dish. perhaps I am more ready for fall than I thought. Jan plays devil's advocate, and asks poignant questions regarding our collaboration. Laura and I have the wheels turning a million revolutions a minute in our heads, trying to absorb all of the insight Jan has to offer. We continue to talk as Jan shows Laura around her lovely studio, full of the most wonderful trinkets and pieces of works in progress. We continue further, as Jan shows Laura her glorious garden. She gives us leaf after leaf to smell and touch. My head is full of good smells. Lemon grass for my stir fry. Mmmm. Tastes marvelous.
So, back at home in the usual swing of things, I begin to put material together for some upcoming applications, and I re-hash my short, one act play, "Lost and Found." I plan to submit the play for a competition where the winner will have their production performed for school children across the South East by a local children's theater company. I am submitting a synopsis of what an expanded version of the play would look like, for eight storytellers/dancers/musicians (everyone must be willing/able to do everything), and more vignettes. My hope is that I will at least make the first round cut, which will force me to complete a full version. Whether or not it gets produced, is not really the concern. My concern is having a solid, marketable body of work which I can sell to other children's theater companies, should my play not be picked up by the company to which I am submitting to. Of course, I would love to win the competition, too! Winning never hurt anyone...right??
OK, off to work. Learning some Italian, working on my proposals and getting through all the grant applications before the grant panel meeting on Monday!
~Cara
We had such a wonderful lunch with Jan on Wednesday. She loved the sweet potato soup I made, as well as the three-bean salad! Which, I realized is much more of a fall dish than a summer dish. perhaps I am more ready for fall than I thought. Jan plays devil's advocate, and asks poignant questions regarding our collaboration. Laura and I have the wheels turning a million revolutions a minute in our heads, trying to absorb all of the insight Jan has to offer. We continue to talk as Jan shows Laura around her lovely studio, full of the most wonderful trinkets and pieces of works in progress. We continue further, as Jan shows Laura her glorious garden. She gives us leaf after leaf to smell and touch. My head is full of good smells. Lemon grass for my stir fry. Mmmm. Tastes marvelous.
So, back at home in the usual swing of things, I begin to put material together for some upcoming applications, and I re-hash my short, one act play, "Lost and Found." I plan to submit the play for a competition where the winner will have their production performed for school children across the South East by a local children's theater company. I am submitting a synopsis of what an expanded version of the play would look like, for eight storytellers/dancers/musicians (everyone must be willing/able to do everything), and more vignettes. My hope is that I will at least make the first round cut, which will force me to complete a full version. Whether or not it gets produced, is not really the concern. My concern is having a solid, marketable body of work which I can sell to other children's theater companies, should my play not be picked up by the company to which I am submitting to. Of course, I would love to win the competition, too! Winning never hurt anyone...right??
OK, off to work. Learning some Italian, working on my proposals and getting through all the grant applications before the grant panel meeting on Monday!
~Cara
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Laura is Here!!
Laura is here! Laura is here! Always a happy time, full of work, fun and ridiculousness!
Yesterday, we had quite the productive day. We began the day at my morning yoga class, where I taught a gentle Iyengar style practice for an intimate group of six. I enjoyed asking the students to take their time, and acknowledge the changes in their bodies and minds as they moved through the poses in the sequence I taught.
At noon, we make our way over the the SPOT recording studio, where I had previously recorded my songs "Eve at the River," and "Our Quilt" for our collaborative work, "Common Threads." Laura is elated as we walk into the studio! I told her it was a great place, but I don't think she truly understood what I meant until we got there! Chris, the engineer greets us, and we begin the work of the day. Laura lays her tracks with ease. Her ability to hear and execute harmony and dynamic come through beautifully on the recording of a song in the vein of a negro spiritual complete with stomping and clapping, soulful runs and tons of heart. I am so lucky to watch her work! I look forward to working with her more on this music, and we plan to record a full album of all the songs for this piece in the not-so-distant-future.
Back at home in the afternoon, we literally cook up a storm. A lovely storm of flour, chocolate, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, cheese, cherries, olive oil and more! At the end of our storm, a devastation of dark chocolate cherry cupcakes, sweet potato soup, and roasted squash with tomato, basil and fresh mozzarella is left! And yes, it is all delicious!
By the time we have finished, it is almost time for my evening yoga class! This class is a departure from the morning class, in that this class is a powerful flow class. After a brief stretch and warmy, we begin moving on each breath, holding strength poses and sweating. I ask the students to keep focusing on their breath rhythm, and to listen to their bodies. Usually during my flow classes, I take time after an intense flow sequence to work deeper into just one pose. I ask the students to pair off, and observe and give feedback to each other in Warrior II and Reverse Warrior. They realize they know the poses better than they think they do! When the observation/feedback is over, their postures are much improved! Finally, at the end of class, I bring the students through a stretch series leading to Hanumanasana, or split pose. Bodies stretched and strengthened, I bring the students into Savasana, or corpse pose.
After all that teaching (and taking for Laura) we are both tired, but we go out for beer and darts anyway! We are terrible. Rob wins. End of story. Today, we lunch with Jan. I am bringing the sweet potato soup we made yesterday. I am so excited to introduce Laura to Jan!
More soon,
~Cara
Yesterday, we had quite the productive day. We began the day at my morning yoga class, where I taught a gentle Iyengar style practice for an intimate group of six. I enjoyed asking the students to take their time, and acknowledge the changes in their bodies and minds as they moved through the poses in the sequence I taught.
At noon, we make our way over the the SPOT recording studio, where I had previously recorded my songs "Eve at the River," and "Our Quilt" for our collaborative work, "Common Threads." Laura is elated as we walk into the studio! I told her it was a great place, but I don't think she truly understood what I meant until we got there! Chris, the engineer greets us, and we begin the work of the day. Laura lays her tracks with ease. Her ability to hear and execute harmony and dynamic come through beautifully on the recording of a song in the vein of a negro spiritual complete with stomping and clapping, soulful runs and tons of heart. I am so lucky to watch her work! I look forward to working with her more on this music, and we plan to record a full album of all the songs for this piece in the not-so-distant-future.
Back at home in the afternoon, we literally cook up a storm. A lovely storm of flour, chocolate, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, cheese, cherries, olive oil and more! At the end of our storm, a devastation of dark chocolate cherry cupcakes, sweet potato soup, and roasted squash with tomato, basil and fresh mozzarella is left! And yes, it is all delicious!
By the time we have finished, it is almost time for my evening yoga class! This class is a departure from the morning class, in that this class is a powerful flow class. After a brief stretch and warmy, we begin moving on each breath, holding strength poses and sweating. I ask the students to keep focusing on their breath rhythm, and to listen to their bodies. Usually during my flow classes, I take time after an intense flow sequence to work deeper into just one pose. I ask the students to pair off, and observe and give feedback to each other in Warrior II and Reverse Warrior. They realize they know the poses better than they think they do! When the observation/feedback is over, their postures are much improved! Finally, at the end of class, I bring the students through a stretch series leading to Hanumanasana, or split pose. Bodies stretched and strengthened, I bring the students into Savasana, or corpse pose.
After all that teaching (and taking for Laura) we are both tired, but we go out for beer and darts anyway! We are terrible. Rob wins. End of story. Today, we lunch with Jan. I am bringing the sweet potato soup we made yesterday. I am so excited to introduce Laura to Jan!
More soon,
~Cara
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Fresh Experiences
Yes, it has been days since I have shared with you all, but that in no way means that art has not been happening. Art abounds always!
This past week has been full of fresh experiences. This week, I attended a panel meeting at the Forsyth County Arts Council. I am on the panel of folks who will be helping to decide who is funded for grants this year. Of course, I can't say too much, only that I am very excited about some of the projects that have been presented to us, and I am eager to read through the rest of the grants to see what everyone else is up to. There is a diversity of genres and approaches represented, which I think speaks to the artistic diversity of our city. I love it!
Secondly, I have begun to plan for the premiere of our new film, "Kitchen Table." I am super excited about the event, and have been looking into potential sponsors for the event. I had a meeting over at the South Eastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA) yesterday, and the outlook looks positive that they will be able to take on our event. I envision an evening, that is 1950's themed, where everyone would dress appropriately. There will be live music and Hors d'œuvre and some witty, engaging commentary by Mackenzie and I to move the evening along. I plan to show our award winning film, "two Downtown" as part of the evening, as well.
After my meeting, I ventured through the gallery space at SECCA, to view the newest exhibition. There were some beautiful pieces, that kept me coming back again and again. I especially love installation pieces. I think one of my favorites was the gigantic glass bead necklace hung from one wall to another. it made me feel like a mouse, scurrying around the dresser top of a giant human. Another piece I enjoyed was the huge silver quilt. When you stepped back from it, you notice that sewn into the fabric is a very intricate pattern of the bottom of a foot. It looked very labor intensive! One other collection of pieces I enjoyed was a group of sculptures made right into the gallery walls (the movable ones). The shapes grew organically out of the walls in soft ripples, peaks and valleys. It was almost as if these walls had minds of their own, each one a personal, dynamic identity. I think I should find someone to take with me to the gallery, to view these pieces. A friend perhaps, or my husband!
Lastly, I have begun to work on some material for one of Laura's fall concerts. Laura, a musician friend of mine form SC, has been sponsored to put on a monthly concert series at the Library Society of Charleston. She has asked me to dance the October concert. I will be dancing to both Bach and the Beatles! I think this little project will be tons of fun. I can't wait to show her some material when she gets here next week. When she gets here, we will do further work on our collaborative work, "Common Threads."
That's all for now, until next time!
~Cara
This past week has been full of fresh experiences. This week, I attended a panel meeting at the Forsyth County Arts Council. I am on the panel of folks who will be helping to decide who is funded for grants this year. Of course, I can't say too much, only that I am very excited about some of the projects that have been presented to us, and I am eager to read through the rest of the grants to see what everyone else is up to. There is a diversity of genres and approaches represented, which I think speaks to the artistic diversity of our city. I love it!
Secondly, I have begun to plan for the premiere of our new film, "Kitchen Table." I am super excited about the event, and have been looking into potential sponsors for the event. I had a meeting over at the South Eastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA) yesterday, and the outlook looks positive that they will be able to take on our event. I envision an evening, that is 1950's themed, where everyone would dress appropriately. There will be live music and Hors d'œuvre and some witty, engaging commentary by Mackenzie and I to move the evening along. I plan to show our award winning film, "two Downtown" as part of the evening, as well.
After my meeting, I ventured through the gallery space at SECCA, to view the newest exhibition. There were some beautiful pieces, that kept me coming back again and again. I especially love installation pieces. I think one of my favorites was the gigantic glass bead necklace hung from one wall to another. it made me feel like a mouse, scurrying around the dresser top of a giant human. Another piece I enjoyed was the huge silver quilt. When you stepped back from it, you notice that sewn into the fabric is a very intricate pattern of the bottom of a foot. It looked very labor intensive! One other collection of pieces I enjoyed was a group of sculptures made right into the gallery walls (the movable ones). The shapes grew organically out of the walls in soft ripples, peaks and valleys. It was almost as if these walls had minds of their own, each one a personal, dynamic identity. I think I should find someone to take with me to the gallery, to view these pieces. A friend perhaps, or my husband!
Lastly, I have begun to work on some material for one of Laura's fall concerts. Laura, a musician friend of mine form SC, has been sponsored to put on a monthly concert series at the Library Society of Charleston. She has asked me to dance the October concert. I will be dancing to both Bach and the Beatles! I think this little project will be tons of fun. I can't wait to show her some material when she gets here next week. When she gets here, we will do further work on our collaborative work, "Common Threads."
That's all for now, until next time!
~Cara
Sunday, August 1, 2010
contemplating Women's Work: Sexuality
I can hardly believe that it is August already. The heat has finally broken, and the rain has come. However I'm sure we are in for just one more wave before the summer is out. How I have loved the heat. My body soaking it up, sweating it out, as if it had been thirsty for just this kind of intensity all year long. I think this year, I will be able to appreciate the fall when it comes more fully, my body and mind surfeited from the crazy warmth of the summer. The beautiful colors, the comfort food and the acknowledgment that not soon after the fiery burst, all things will turn inward: the grass will go dormant, many animals will sleep and perhaps this will be a time for me to turn inward, as well.
I have been further contemplating the concept of women's work. Laura came to me and said that she would like to do a song about feminine sexuality through the trope of Lilith. I conversed with her about how sexuality is in fact, women's work. Now, more than ever, it is the job of women to appear sexually available to men, and there is a lot that goes into that image. Our media is packed with images of objectification, and many of us feel bound by those images, feeling like this is what we need to work to be, if we desire success of any kind. I recently watched a documentary entitled, "Sexy, Inc." about the over-sexualization of our youth. I was disheartened to see, that even the tiniest women are expected to project an image of sexual energy. Tiny padded bras, meant for the children's section at Target, Baby Bratz cartoon characters, who sport sexy undies, midriff shirts and full on make-up and bling.
My dad brought up a good point: in nature, it is the job of the male in most species to attract the female. Males sport the vibrant colors, sing the songs and dance the dances. Leave it to us to turn nature on its head!
For me, the making of this piece, the thinking on this concept, makes me think to what degree I have considered it my job to give off a certain kind of sexual energy throughout my life. And I realize, that I have, more times than I can count, acquiesced to the notion of what being sexy is, and how to do it. I remember making the decision that I needed to change my image in tenth grade. I began wearing very tight jeans. I got contact lenses. I wouldn't leave the house without mascara. I wanted to be popular, and I wanted to be "taken seriously." It seemed as if all the girls who were getting attention - of any kind, were "beautiful." I wanted attention, as any teenager does. When in college, I also wanted attention. I went to parties, and flirted aggressively. The art of the flirt was of utmost importance. Did I laugh coquettishly enough? Was I showing enough skin? Was I drinking enough (In my case, did I appear to be drinking enough)? Was I allowing the boys to put their hands on me just enough to want to know what the whole package would feel like? And why? I wanted to feel valued in some way. To this day, when I see another woman getting attention from men, I get slightly jealous, as I wonder if those men think I am attractive at all. My husband tells me I'm beautiful all the time. I believe him! But part of me will always want that outside validation. Why?? At the same time, I am often frightened by men who approach me, their over-aggressive manner and the expectation that I should be excited about that kind of advance.
To that end, I have contemplated the making of a dance, to be included in our larger work, "Common Threads," that will be comprised of a solo, where a woman is bound by thread (sexuality) and struggles between suggestive movement, pleading movement, subtlety into violent dynamic. We hope to include in the vignette, a poem my mother wrote about discovering the female adolescent body.
The seeds for this piece are easily coming into being. I can't wait to see how they grow!
~Cara
I have been further contemplating the concept of women's work. Laura came to me and said that she would like to do a song about feminine sexuality through the trope of Lilith. I conversed with her about how sexuality is in fact, women's work. Now, more than ever, it is the job of women to appear sexually available to men, and there is a lot that goes into that image. Our media is packed with images of objectification, and many of us feel bound by those images, feeling like this is what we need to work to be, if we desire success of any kind. I recently watched a documentary entitled, "Sexy, Inc." about the over-sexualization of our youth. I was disheartened to see, that even the tiniest women are expected to project an image of sexual energy. Tiny padded bras, meant for the children's section at Target, Baby Bratz cartoon characters, who sport sexy undies, midriff shirts and full on make-up and bling.
My dad brought up a good point: in nature, it is the job of the male in most species to attract the female. Males sport the vibrant colors, sing the songs and dance the dances. Leave it to us to turn nature on its head!
For me, the making of this piece, the thinking on this concept, makes me think to what degree I have considered it my job to give off a certain kind of sexual energy throughout my life. And I realize, that I have, more times than I can count, acquiesced to the notion of what being sexy is, and how to do it. I remember making the decision that I needed to change my image in tenth grade. I began wearing very tight jeans. I got contact lenses. I wouldn't leave the house without mascara. I wanted to be popular, and I wanted to be "taken seriously." It seemed as if all the girls who were getting attention - of any kind, were "beautiful." I wanted attention, as any teenager does. When in college, I also wanted attention. I went to parties, and flirted aggressively. The art of the flirt was of utmost importance. Did I laugh coquettishly enough? Was I showing enough skin? Was I drinking enough (In my case, did I appear to be drinking enough)? Was I allowing the boys to put their hands on me just enough to want to know what the whole package would feel like? And why? I wanted to feel valued in some way. To this day, when I see another woman getting attention from men, I get slightly jealous, as I wonder if those men think I am attractive at all. My husband tells me I'm beautiful all the time. I believe him! But part of me will always want that outside validation. Why?? At the same time, I am often frightened by men who approach me, their over-aggressive manner and the expectation that I should be excited about that kind of advance.
To that end, I have contemplated the making of a dance, to be included in our larger work, "Common Threads," that will be comprised of a solo, where a woman is bound by thread (sexuality) and struggles between suggestive movement, pleading movement, subtlety into violent dynamic. We hope to include in the vignette, a poem my mother wrote about discovering the female adolescent body.
The seeds for this piece are easily coming into being. I can't wait to see how they grow!
~Cara
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