How Did I Get Here?

After a holiday induced hiatus, I am back! And though I did not have a chance over the past month, to create gobs of new work, the time off did afford me space to think.

My break from work, from the studio and from the constant weight of needing to get something done "right now" was a quiet one, surrounded by a few dear people and minimal excitement. I found my journal, and began to write. I began to wonder. I began to wonder about my process and the shape it's taken over the past year. I began to wonder about my accomplishments and if I'd really gotten out of them what I'd originally aimed at getting. Did I get something better? Did I miss the mark entirely? I wondered if I am prepared to take any big steps with my work this year. Then I wondered what all I'm going to do next.

Sometime over my pondering, a new question emerged through which I plan to explore facets of "the journey," and who I am fully. I have begun to research myself, by delving into the half of my family I know least about: my African American side. Where did we come from? How did and from whom did we get our obviously Irish surnames? I think gathering this information would help me to better understand my new over-arching question.

HOW DID I GET HERE?

How Did You Get Here? How Did We Get Here?

Every day, we arrive. We arrive in the seat of a car, at the home of a friend, in the arms of a loved one, in the studio exploring various concepts in movement. How did we get to these places? It isn’t just the few steps it takes to get from the front door to the car, or from a position of stillness to an expression of movement. Our journeys are complicated and winding. Each event, person, place, thought, and shift leading up to each arrival is significant and absolutely essential.

And for that matter, it isn't exactly as simple as just being born.

I want to make journey webs. I want to ask people to recall where their various journeys actually began, and how they've evolved. I've begun to make little videos, hoping to explain how I've ended up where I've ended up lately.

I could explore this in movement, certainly. I could explore this through writing, and visual mediums.

I began my search for answers this past week at the Avery Research Institute in Charleston. Though the Institute does not specialize in genealogy, they did have some wonderful suggestions and resources on how to begin the study of oneself. I can't say this will be an easy task, trying to find evidence of a people and culture that society tried to erase so many times in our history, but many have taken the journey, and no doubt even if I don't find exactly what I'm seeking, I will still be the richer for it!

So here's to new ventures, challenges and triumphs!