Ghost Lines Showing
…
Debuting some new costumes at Movement Research on June 4th!
…
…
We Found Love in a Hopeless Place
One of my favorite pieces in the Brooklyn Museum is the Likishi Dance Costume. I make time to see her whenever I visit.
The Museum’s Likishi dance costume in performance, Zambia, 1935 (Photo: Margaret Carson Hubbard)
Museum Text:
Likishi Dance Costume and Accessories (Mwana Pwevo)
Unidentified Luvale artist, late 19th or early 2oth century Northwest province, Zambia Fiber, wood, hide, metal, seedpods, bark, rope, hair, organic materialsThis complete dance costume shows how masks are normally one part of a larger ensemble. The mask is sewn directly onto the costume of looped bark and fiber, which fits tightly over the body of the dancer. Seedpod rattles and metal bells added a musical aspect to the performance.
Although they are danced by Luvale men, mwana pwevo masks depict women. In order to own and perform with a mask, a man had to symbolically marry it by paying the carver a copper ring as a bride price. In doing so, the dancer made a commitment to honor and care for the spirit represented in the mask. In return, the dancer was able to earn his livelihood performing at local festivals.
…
These lips were made for kissin’
A mask I designed for my friend Mike to wear to a fundraising event this weekend; The theme – It Came From the Lagoon.
I think he’s going to be the belle of the ball…
A sketch for the rest of the costume below.
In the photo studio…
Eidolon Portraits - Wolf Tryptic
Your Autumn Lips
It’s been busy around here.
I crammed a lot into the end of October (a little too much I’m over worked and under the weather).
On October 21st I participated in an performance event at the Location One Gallery.
The evening was curated by my friend David Quinn who asked various people from around town involved in the performing arts to participate in a fundraising event for Location One. I took it as an opportunity to flesh out some ideas that I’d been kicking around in my head. The result was three short solo performances in which I performed, choreographed and designed (costumes and projections.) All of this was only possible because of the amazing people in my life who agreed to work with me on the project – My artist muses/collaborators – Cori Olinghouse, Christopher Williams and Mike Andrews. Composer Derek Piotr built gorgeous soundscapes for each of the three chapters. The fantastic costume and knitting skills of Craig Hunter and Kit Lee helped me realize the looks for the pieces with some rad accessories by Sam McFadden. And generous friends gave of their time to form the video projections – Grant Worth as editor and performers Ananda Keator, Betty Chen, Felipe Vasquez, Kit Lee, Nathan Crislip, Raja Kelly, and Will Penrose. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. You all amaze me.
Unfortunately because I was quite distracted I didn’t arrange to have someone document the performances … I plan to re-stage these pieces for documentation. More on this project soon. In the meantime more info can be read here.
Below is an excerpt from the video projection, which acted as my set, that ran during the third sequence – “Raven”.
[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/31707180 w=700&h=394]
…
…
Below are photographs I shot for my friend and collaborator Christopher Williams last week. The photographs are for the Wolf-in-Skins opera project that we are working on together. The dancers pictured are Burr Johnson and Kira Blazek . Choreography by Christopher Williams.
…
Then of course it was Halloween, and it’s hard for me to just brush that off. A delightfully successful collaboration with the exquisite Jordan Isadore led to a Dia de los Muertos couple (all paper and and paint). ¡Guapísimo!
…
In the moments between the aforementioned projects I tried to put in as much time as I could at my freelance job at Izquierdo Studio (which is always busy at Halloween). Martin Izquierdo has designed Heidi Klum’s Halloween costume for years and this year was no exception. Actually this year he designed her two! The Skinless Woman and The Missing Link between man and ape.
…
…
…
Goodbye Horses
…
…
Reluctantly I leave Ox-Bow, the magical art school/community/experience in the woods of Michigan. I’ll miss my Hot Mess class. Also the sand dunes by the lake, the swimming and canoeing, my cabin by the lagoon, the meal-time bell… I return to a heat wave in noisy dirty New York City. (Honestly I did miss home while I was away, but what an about face!) The class , Hot Mess: Costume and Wearable Sculpture, which I co-taught with my friend Mike Andrews was a success! The diverse skills and knowledge that the students brought to class really impressed me. When class began we hit the ground running and didn’t stop for two weeks. A melange of costume, sculpture, makeup, fashion, music videos and dance parties the class certainly lived up to it’s name. I hope that the students learned from the experience, I certainly learned a lot from them. Thank you Ox-bow/Hot Mess, you gave me a moment to step back and examine myself as a maker and a teacher. And what a gift to be reminded of how much fun art can be and of the freedom found in experimental making and play.
…
…
> > > Some photos from the class can be seen here: Hot Mess flickr set < < <
…
Michigan, Amazing
…
Ox-Bow Hot Mess quick update – The class just completed an armature project, some photos below. Also below, a view from “The Crow’s Nest” of Lake Michigan.…
…
…
…
…
…
…
Hot Mess
I write this blog entry from a cabin overlooking the Ox-Bow Lagoon deep within the Tallmadge Woods of Michigan. Sunday afternoon I began a two week teaching residency at the Ox-Bow School of the Arts. The “camp” is quite off the beaten path. It’s so dark out here at night that I can’t see my hand in front of my face – the stars are breathtaking. My cell phone doesn’t work in camp and the internet is only available in special hot spots. (I ‘d planned regular updates to my blog about my experiences here but finding the time and the internet connection has proven difficult.)
My class, Hot Mess: Wearable Sculpture, is going very well. It’s been a whirlwind since I arrived, class started Sunday night at 8PM. I have 11 exceptionally talented students. Upon our first meeting co-teacher Mike Andrews and I informed the class that we would be participating in a parade in the local town the following day for the fourth of July. Our group theme – Mardi-Gras Turtle. Everyone must have a costume. Ready, set, go.
Oh and costumes we had! In under 24 hours we became some of the Hottest Turtle Messes that I’ve ever seen. The parade was amazing. As part of our class process we’re taking portraits of each other as we make and move along. Some highlights below.
We’ve been busy bees. Along many interesting class discussions, demonstrations, and presentations of each others work we’re also making a music video. Tomorrow night we shoot in beauty parlor that we’ve obtained keys to. In addition to designing and costuming we’re also performing in the video after we give each other body modifying makeovers…
This place is kind of a dream come true. The energy and creativity of the class is high and we’re going strong!
More soon.
…
Spells
…
A sneak peek at designs from a work in progress.
Photography courtesy of Phillip Romano
…
…
I suppose the official sneak peak was in February at the Harkness Dance Festival where an excerpt from this yet untitled project was shown. Here are some studio photos (thank you Phillip) of an exciting piece that is developing, a collaboration with my friend Christopher Williams.
.
…
…… Choreography and Direction by Christopher Williams
…… Music (Bird-Curse Aria) composed by Gregory Spears
…… Costume Design by Andrew Jordan
…… Dancers pictured: Kira Blazek, Burr Johnson
…… More images/info coming soon.
…