in this blog article, i share my personal creative work since SOUL SEED GATHERING in Guatemala this past February 2017, and through early June 2017.
so, Soul Seed Gathering was dope. Guatemala.
Mayan juju.
elders.
so much learning.
also, i gave my first live performance involving nudity.
i am currently in the midst of an on-going performance art project, called, new/mind/ritualz, and this particular performance for an all-woman audience in Guatemala allowed me to see + feel how i can expand upon + offer fuller movements of this project in the future. nudity will sometimes come into play: this detail is being deeply evaluated and decided upon ... though what will always come into play for my personal expressions is the use of my body and iconography to storytell through the lens of (and loyalty to) experimental artistry.
* * * archives for new/mind/ritualz ~ HERE
and
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| listening 2 Mayan elder women, foto: Hana Wolf |
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| waist beading workshop, foto: Hana Wolf |
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| pre-performance self-portrait |
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| performance still, foto: Hana Wolf |
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| post-performance, foto: Chloe Rae |
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| with SACRED LIBERATION |
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| headed down, headed home. foto: Roz |
the video of my performance is currently private; i am in the process of determining how to present it ~ note: 12.30.2018.
before my performance @ SSG, i gave an informal talk about the movement known as FUTURE FEMINISM. this movement was founded by Sierra and Bianca Casady, the sisters of CocoRosie, in conjunction with Kembra Pfahler, Anohni, and Johanna Constantine. i am no expert or spokesperson (obvi) for the movement, but i have followed it, because each artist who is a part of it has gained my liking for their own bodies of work, and the levels @ which they thrive creatively. #inspirational. i will not in this blog article discuss @ depth the work of these artists or FUTURE FEMINISM ~ be coaxed to do so on your own if it pleases you.
: here is a reference to get you started :
HUFFPOST 2014
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| CocoRosie, for/by: Revista |
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| Kembra as Karen Black, photo: Walter Wlodarczyk |
below are some of the Future Feminism tenets, etched upon rose quartz, which is the primary stone (crystal prowess) indicative of women's womb wisdom and heart*softening as an action, a practice ~ no doubt an intentional choice on behalf of the artists.
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| THE FUTURE IS FEMALE |
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| RELIEVE MEN OF THEIR ROLES AS PROTECTORS AND PREDATORS |
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| THE SUBJUGATION OF WOMEN AND THE EARTH IS ONE AND THE SAME |
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| REPATTERN SOCIETIES TO NURTURE THE RESURGENCE OF BIODIVERSITY |
and III ~ ENFORCE A GLOBAL STANDARD FOR THE RIGHTS AND ETHICAL TREATMENT OF WOMEN.
each of these tenets was read to my audience pre-performance as points of reference and influence.
at SSG, i also spoke to a term (pre-performance) and in my waist beading workshops called, AVAILABISM, which was created, is taught, and is practiced by Kembra Pfahler. in my own words, AVAILABISM means using what you have access to, what is available. for me, using beaches, jungle, and my upstairs balcony to make art makes sense ~ it's where i am, and doesn't require a purchase. using seashells, driftwood, and glitter i pull out of my make-up bag vs. buying new stuff in town (sometimes i literally don't have the budget) are all examples of Availabism. buying kiddo's toys @ the corner store that make noises for recording music is also so fun vs. buying high-tech equipment ~ don't get me wrong, both are great. :P
... when i lead a workshop, i often bring my own mixed-up baggies of beads ~ the leftovers. if you look deeply enough, you will find pretty stones within ~ this is what i have available in the moment, and we enjoy and give thanks for it, the little hidden treasures. Availabism can also be practiced with the body. how can i express through my body and with my body (movements or emotions) without fancy props and lighting, you know? what *is* available? a tree? a chair? the sunset? another person? work with it. be present with it. create in the moment ~ Availabism encourages all of this!!
... about Kembra's Availabism: "In her art and music, Pfahler follows the philosophy of availabism— making the best of what’s available. This is apparent in the low tech props and homemade costumes the Girls of Karen Black don on stage and which fill Pfahler’s exhibition installations." Kembra's Availabism also "dispels the antiquated notion that there is a hierarchy of artistic mediums."
* * *
RECLAMATION is also a theme i spoke to @ SSG; i will continue to speak to it throughout my career. here's what i know for now:
in these last 2-3 years of living on Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast, there has been a strong interpersonal pull reignited, given new depth. in large part, the lush and strong presence of this land, its environmental+energetic (natural) tendency to shake shit up, spit a girl out, and ask her to stand more strongly, has everything to do with everything.
this pull i speak to is a rededication
* i speak up about my experiences ~ not all are cute. i reclaim my right to speak to the whole of my experiences without approval; i trust myself.
* i speak to the injustice i see in the world, not as a graceful expert, but as a delicate human. i protect marginalized peoples & promote equality within all cultures.
* i continue to exercise forgiveness of myself and others; this practice is on-going. i acknowledge my ability to make better choices now vs. then.
* lastly, a bitch reclaims her JOY!! i live in JOY as often as is possible. in living joyfully, my inner-child is incredibly active, i create stability for myself, **&** i self-care voraciously; it's an unapologetic priority.
* * *
... when i lead a workshop, i often bring my own mixed-up baggies of beads ~ the leftovers. if you look deeply enough, you will find pretty stones within ~ this is what i have available in the moment, and we enjoy and give thanks for it, the little hidden treasures. Availabism can also be practiced with the body. how can i express through my body and with my body (movements or emotions) without fancy props and lighting, you know? what *is* available? a tree? a chair? the sunset? another person? work with it. be present with it. create in the moment ~ Availabism encourages all of this!!
... about Kembra's Availabism: "In her art and music, Pfahler follows the philosophy of availabism— making the best of what’s available. This is apparent in the low tech props and homemade costumes the Girls of Karen Black don on stage and which fill Pfahler’s exhibition installations." Kembra's Availabism also "dispels the antiquated notion that there is a hierarchy of artistic mediums."
* * *
RECLAMATION is also a theme i spoke to @ SSG; i will continue to speak to it throughout my career. here's what i know for now:
in these last 2-3 years of living on Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast, there has been a strong interpersonal pull reignited, given new depth. in large part, the lush and strong presence of this land, its environmental+energetic (natural) tendency to shake shit up, spit a girl out, and ask her to stand more strongly, has everything to do with everything.
this pull i speak to is a rededication
(an ongoing dedication)
to RECLAMATION,
which looks like:
* i am in a self-loving relationship with me and me; i reclaim this relationship as my priority.
* i reclaim my right to self-heal, to be the sweetest bruja and mother to myself.
* i reclaim my ancestor's wisdom by coming back to the Earth and living more simply, quietly. however, i choose to release their non-wisdom, therefore busting up intergenerational trauma; i am a pattern-breaker.
* i reclaim my right to self-heal, to be the sweetest bruja and mother to myself.
* there is nothing wrong with me. (repeat often.) i reclaim & treasure my humanness.
* i enact my right to be treated well by others.
* i reclaim my right to understand and choose healthy relationships with fellow humans; these bonds are rich, trustworthy, and lasting/sustainable.
* i reclaim my right to an inner-circle and an abundance of solitude. intimacy is gorgeous medicine sometimes ~ so is my intentionally orchestrated alone-time.
* i reclaim my ancestor's wisdom by coming back to the Earth and living more simply, quietly. however, i choose to release their non-wisdom, therefore busting up intergenerational trauma; i am a pattern-breaker.
* i acknowledge my sexual awakening. i reclaim my body as my own. i share it loyally in a special loving relationship if i want. i share it in the name of art. i share it firstly with myself.
* i am defining my personal feminism. i reclaim my right to invent my own way.
* i dismantle patriarchal conditioning, shame. by reclaiming my personal power and growing my voice, i encourage the collective, namely fellow women, to do so too; this is work from the inside out, an ongoing practice.
* i claim my right (my consent) to be seen and experienced as an artist ~ in what forms and places + how. you choose to view or not view said work ~ my intention is not one of imposition.
* i embody and deny no part of my descent ~ the exploration of all shadows, wisely as is possible. in this way, i do not hesitate to speak about my sadness and rage, which is real, but not constant. i therefore reclaim my right to be whole, not just shiny and performative to please or peace-keep.
* i am ultimately RISEN into my divine feminine awakening ~ on my own terms and in my own time. i accept that i may waiver. when i waiver, i cover myself in honey and/or reach for support from a trusted woman. ((i reclaim my right to bathe often in honey-rivers and pastel-oceans.))
* i am defining my personal feminism. i reclaim my right to invent my own way.
* i dismantle patriarchal conditioning, shame. by reclaiming my personal power and growing my voice, i encourage the collective, namely fellow women, to do so too; this is work from the inside out, an ongoing practice.
* i claim my right (my consent) to be seen and experienced as an artist ~ in what forms and places + how. you choose to view or not view said work ~ my intention is not one of imposition.
* i embody and deny no part of my descent ~ the exploration of all shadows, wisely as is possible. in this way, i do not hesitate to speak about my sadness and rage, which is real, but not constant. i therefore reclaim my right to be whole, not just shiny and performative to please or peace-keep.
* i am ultimately RISEN into my divine feminine awakening ~ on my own terms and in my own time. i accept that i may waiver. when i waiver, i cover myself in honey and/or reach for support from a trusted woman. ((i reclaim my right to bathe often in honey-rivers and pastel-oceans.))
* i speak up about my experiences ~ not all are cute. i reclaim my right to speak to the whole of my experiences without approval; i trust myself.
* i speak to the injustice i see in the world, not as a graceful expert, but as a delicate human. i protect marginalized peoples & promote equality within all cultures.
* i continue to exercise forgiveness of myself and others; this practice is on-going. i acknowledge my ability to make better choices now vs. then.
* lastly, a bitch reclaims her JOY!! i live in JOY as often as is possible. in living joyfully, my inner-child is incredibly active, i create stability for myself, **&** i self-care voraciously; it's an unapologetic priority.
* * *
i also want to speak to you about nudity in my work, which is a delicate topic for me right now, actually ... a topic that has delayed my publication of this particular blog article. sometimes i do not feel called to be nude in my work, and sometimes i honor that i do. of course, i have people who have asked me not to be nude (my mom, an ex) ... but every woman performance artist i admire has done so in her career.
my sometimes-concern is that my expressions will be viewed as sinful, pornographic, or attention-seeking, particularly in a country whose traditional leanings are Catholic and conservative. this location-based fact aside, what i'm invested in personally is pushing myself to be artful in ways that challenge my personal comfort in moments ~ i learn so much in doing so. i also feel that being nude is literally ... and spiritually, my most vulnerable presentation of self.
i'm actually highly empathic and introverted, so getting naked for people isn't cute or easy necessarily, but it challenges me to step into my "BO$$-self." another side of me loves to twerk, wants to learn pole fitness, and has crushes on rappers. u know? #allOFme :P
additionally, i follow quite seamlessly the voices that Spirit passes through my ears. when i made my first nude works in Maine years ago, i was doing just this: obeying Spirit's nudge to explore nudity ~ what does the making of nude work teach me about myself, personal trauma, collective trauma, and self-healing as an art form?
lastly, i could write a book about how porn, dating apps, and tourism are destroying true love, but i'd rather make art about it. how can i ask, train, or coax an audience to view my body as a sacred object for art? how, in turn, do i combat the inevitable sexualization that comes with my experiments? in moments, i am choosing to be sexy and celebratory, of course, but always on my own terms, and with my own set of boundaries in place.
this is a topic that i will continue to touch upon ~ i've hardly broken the ice here.
* * *
and now, i will approach the remainder of this article with primarily images and a little bit of video from recent performances.
SIREN'S is an annual event that occurs in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, and i contributed some of my performance art rituals atop the music of Margot Day.
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| foto: Michael Preston |
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| foto: Michael Preston |
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| foto: Michael Preston |
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| foto: Manuel Pinto |
... and back in Brooklyn several months ago, i gave a performance (another experiment in-line with my on-going project, new/mind/ritualz) for an intimate group of supporters @ GAMBA.
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| Statia & kelly in Brooklyn |
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| kelly + Basquiat |
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| post-performance foto: Statia |
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| post-performance foto: Steve Narvaez |
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| post-performance foto: Statia |
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| post-performance with Chris Carr |
a very very special thanks to new friend and fellow artist, Steve Narvaez, for creating these videos, xxoxxxxo!!
for now,
kelly shaw willman
original writings by ksw: copyright 2017-forever.
