"Local Objects"

I went to see an amazing display of artistic expression this weekend, called "Local Objects". It was an exhibition of visual art (paintings, sculpture, installations) and then a performance.

I initially was not going to attend since I teach until 4:30 in Rogers Park, and the show space is near McKinley Park on the southwest side of town. Once I realized that I would be able to make it on time (thanks to the help from a friend's offer to drive), I felt slightly obligated to go. My long-time friend, Erin, who is my best friend in Chicago (other than my husband, of course), was performing in the show...and I hardly ever make it out to see her performances.
Plus--it was free!

We arrive at a series of old warehouses, tall and brick and empty and seemingly ominous in the blustery dusk. Entering through the rusty metal door, we passed by dilapidated rooms full of construction debris. Up four flights, we step into a cavernous, ballroom-sized space with huge white columns. Strategic lighting led up through the room to view the artwork. The sculptures were all created from found objects, items discovered in the warehouse itself. Some of the more thoughtful pieces were constructed from sporting equipment, religious icons, tools and electronics, put together beautifully and painted either in bright colors or all black. Two aisles of sculptures led us to the opposite end of the room, all made of found objects. I'll be honest--they weren't my favorite pieces. These sculptures seemed hastily constructed, without much thought (and you'll read why later).

Later in the evening, the performance started. Lights out.
Then the only light was on the artist, sitting on the ledge of the most massive and intricate sculpture in the space: a tractor-shaped melange of objects and wood, all confusion and chaos. Opera singers walked leisurely throughout the room, holding flashlights directed at the columns. The audience was dispersed throughout, and the singers would walk past, all singing different notes and different syllables to create a haunting and ethereal chorus. (Only later did I realize that the columns had sheet music posted on one side, and each singer was pointing their flashlight on the music in order to read what they were singing next.)
Lights out.
Lights up on a dining table, with six men seated on overturned buckets, all wearing bizarre, sculptural hats--a red and glittery Virgin Mary, a bridal-looking veil, sports helmets with exaggerated horns. Some were wearing microphones to amplify their "Mmmm"s and "Ahhh"s, sounding as if they were hungry and eager for a meal. Each time the men made a noise, the opera singers would add a higher-pitched, ascending "Ahhh." The artist and an assistant presented the diners with plates of green pasta--amplified slurping noises added another layer to the "hunger" sounds. Whenever a diner finished a plate of pasta, the artist took the empty plate to another part of the room and smashed it--adding even another dimension to the melody.
Lights out.
On the opposite side of the room, and massive metal barn door opened to reveal a brilliantly lit, beautiful woman seated on a fiery phoenix of a float. She wore a beaded red and gold ballgown and a tiara, and all around her were glittering red and gold feathery flames. She was pulled throughout the space in a parade fashion as she made regal gestures and lip-synced an aria. She dismounted her throne and started following the artist as he walked through the two aisles of sculptures (previous mentioned as "hastily constructed"). He paused in reflection before each piece, and then moved on to another. She, like a shadowy spirit, trailed behind him. Her movements focused on the placement of the arms, articulation of the back, how she was affected throughout her chest. She seemed to be his subconscious thought, saying with her body all of the thoughts that he would not allow himself to say out loud. Suddenly, a sculpture smashed to the ground. A few of the audience members gasped--what an unfortunate mistake! Then, the woman approached another sculpture, reared back, and pushed it forcefully to the ground. She approached each sculpture differently and took them all down, one by one. A man standing next to me said, "Now that's criticism."
Lights out.
Finis.

Unbelievable. Beautiful. I wouldn't have known how amazing this presentation was if I hadn't have been there in person.

(I later learned that the sculptures that Erin attacked were "fakes"--constructed in about 15 minutes from various objects found around the warehouse, made just to be broken.)

Attending this exhibition has reminded me to keep an open mind. I am so inspired by other forms of art and how other artists present their work. I hope that, some day, my work will inspire others in the same way.

The best is yet to come

That's what the fortune inside my cookie said: "Don't give up. The best is yet to come."

I couldn't have thought of a more appropriate fortune. Even though I definitely haven't been thinking of giving up, I can sense that something great is coming.

Classes started at NorthSide Dance Theater (http://www.northsidedt.com/), and I think it's been a really nice beginning. Considering that the only real marketing has been the booth at the Glenwood Arts Festival a few weeks ago, I think we are doing well. A few of our students are our friends and family, but we also have a few that are neighborhood locals and live down the street from the studio. I'm excited to spend more time promoting the studio so that everyone can see what a fantastic program and space we have.

Sadly, I just learned today that the majority of my youth classes have been cancelled for this session. A new session starts in November, so hopefully we will have more interest then. All I can ask is that if you or someone you know is interested in taking dance classes at any level, please come check us out. Even for one class.

I can't really explain how awesome it feels to be teaching again. Developing curriculum, planning classes, creating new combinations, seeing my students work so hard... I also appreciate that I am being involved in the creation of a new business and can see as everything falls in place. We have mirrors now! Soon--ballet barres! And the marley floor for the ballet studio will be put down soon!

In addition to the excitement of classes, Innervation Dance Cooperative's show "Gods, Monsters and Heroes" is only two short weeks away! We have been working so hard, so long...I can't wait to perform it. Everything has fallen into place, and even though I am still relatively new to IDC, I think it's going to be their best show yet. Tickets are on sale through Theater Wit, and the show runs Oct. 6-10. Hope to see you there.

I guess this post is mainly to reach out for support on these exciting projects, but also know--there is definitely more to come.

As usual, I don't have time for a full update. Just a little note.

Classes at Northside Dance Theater start tomorrow! I'm obviously excited. I spend most of my free time thinking about my classes. I have wanted to teach since I moved to Chicago, I just always envisioned teaching as part of my life here, and now it's finally happening. (If you didn't know--this is what I want to do with my life! So this new "job" is a pretty big deal to me.)
I'm teaching 12 classes: ballet and jazz for 6-8 years old and 8-11 years old, tap for 6-8 year olds, a couple of beginning modern classes for teens and adults, intermediate modern, beginning adult jazz and beginning adult tap. Come take class from me!

NSDT had its opening party on Friday, and we had a pretty large group celebrating with us. What made the party even better was that construction was done earlier that day to put up the dividing walls between the lobby and the small studio, plus a doorway between the two studios.

The space is gorgeous. Of course, it is empty right now, but the studios are large with nice wood floors (the large ballet studio will have a marley floor), huge front windows (which will be covered), water fountains, two bathrooms, two dressing room areas...it's wonderful.

Other than the new studio, I'm working on a couple of shows still. IDC is in the final stretch of rehearsals for October's "Gods, Monsters and Heroes." Only one more month before the show at Theater Wit! We have a run through in about a week, and I think everything is almost finished. We've been working on the show for over 6 months now, so it's exciting to see it all come together. Per IDC's usual, a little something for everyone: modern, jazz, waltz (!), tap, and great music.

Rehearsals start again with Dmitri Peskov after about a month off. More details as soon as I have them, but he mentioned that the show will be in June.

I'm positive that I will have a lot of news in about a week!