Fall 2019 Arts and Activism

Monuments are designed not only as a way of remembering collective history, but specifically, to remember such histories in a specific way.  Kara walker's Fons Americanus, warped the traditional nationalist monument and instead placed a complete image of english colonialism, including the plight of those abducted from Africa and sold by the British and Portuguese. Walker takes the traditional use of the marble fountain and  a within a monument of grandeur.  In a similar vein, Kehinde Wiley’s Rumors of war also warps a traditional national monument, and alters the subject in order to reclaim history. There are thousands of statues in the united states of white men on horses. The image is an iconic depiction of power strength and national admiration, yet the people on these horses are typically men who perpetrated and praised slavery. So putting an unapolegetically, modern black man on top of a horse which typically symbolizes white power creates a really powerful af...

I found the bias test to be very eye opening and useful to myself as an artist. Overall I don’t think I got the same experience as most taking the test. Something about the way it was structured on the laptop was difficult for me to navigate. I have some learning disabilities that I generally don’t like to talk about, but given the circumstances of this assignment, I realized I would have to provide some context. I try to remain conscious of the  fact that I grew up in a patriarchal society of institutionalized white supremacy, and just because I have a relatively diverse group of friends and have been given the gift of education, does not mean that I am immune to the socialized norms of our biased world. Therefore, I try to diligently police myself as best I can. I am constantly asking myself questions about race, about my inner thoughts and fears.  I lived in North Carolina for about a year and attended a pre-college program for about 21 actors in their senior ye...

I am really drawn to her style and thoughts about the theatre.  Making an active effort to change anything deserves respect.  And her way with going about the theatre is very powerful.  Searching for flaws and places to improve, she exploits the stage for what it has become and what it represents.  One thing that stuck out to me was the commitment to the unknown.  That is what theatre is all about.  To me at least, that is the most exciting part about being part of a performance.  Being able to fully dive into the ocean not knowing how deep it is, is quite beautiful.  The art of not knowing is extraordinary.  The other note that I connected to was that it's not about the money! it's about the art.  This is so important to remember. the understanding of creation, and the joy that it brings. That is what you are working for, not the money.  It can be difficult in this world we live in today, due to the power ...

Questions for Roberta. How have you used drive to take the place of material and money to motivate? How do you hear the audience's imagination using nothing but the body? What emotions do you have towards art, how do you treat the idea of being an artist? In your opinion, how do song and rhythm affect a story? How do you work around having to meet so disparagingly?

- What are the most important/significant ideas or elements outlined by Roberta and why? - What are the implications or resonances of Uno's precepts in your own practice? - What could be a metaphor or analogy for the kind of theater that Roberta Uno describes in this text? - What questions came up as you were reading this piece? One of the biggest elements that i had read or had felt interesting to me was the fact that The Venue changed everything. This is because of how the audience is placed in the scene.  This Ideal also seems to change how a text or manuscript is performed. In this piece, The crux of The play is the notion that There are two separate realities. These realities are actualized when the audience is quite literally split in half Some of the implications that I try to use are the idealisms of getting someone else if I feel as if The work cannot nor should not be done by me. If i was given a project that i had no true relationship with, I would rath...

- What are the most important/significant ideas or elements outlined by Roberta and why? Directorial diverse and educated directors working with a cast that represents the identity of what the text asks for. Lean away from political revolutionary pieces and refraining from the theatre trait to explain "the other" to tourists. Abstaining from multicultural aims and instead focusing on anti-racism. - What are the implications or resonances of Uno's precepts in your own practice? To have a position in any place of theatre, requires a social-cultural knowledge regarding the world of the piece and beyond.  - What could be a metaphor or analogy for the kind of theater that Roberta Uno describes in this text? Use the panini press to make paninis, not ice cream Sundays. (Wisely not art pour l'art) - What questions came up as you were reading this piece? Roberta references having children and in one instance, she mentions how directors of the new W...

Steps Towards a New World What are the most important/significant ideas or elements outlined by Roberta and why? In Centric Circles and the further margin - Uno writes about how in the 1990s, NTW stories being told were all heteronormative, that they had not actively made space for queer artists. They acknowledged the divide between cultures and sexuality. In response to this realization, the company started a forum "Homophobia in Communities of Color and Racism in the Gay Community" where they set up a mic and people talked, discussed, debated, and confessed their opinions/feelings. This launched the next season into having several queer artists join and begin to shift the repetitive heteronormative narrative. For me, the choice to have a room where people could open up and discuss the problems in both communities that divide one another was necessary. They owned up to their fault and a societal fault by giving space for a conversation to occur versus them just ad...

This story concept written by James Baldwin was a genius idea.. There was a mentioning of this piece flopping on broadway, but the sheer provocative power and impact that such an entrance could ensue.. I think a piece like this should be broadened upon and shaped better.. Having a 2019 expansion on the idea of dividing everyone during the show into racial and gender status.. And let everyone choose for themselves.. The only thing is, what would you have a play about?  That’s my only question.. If you have such an immersive play that’s bringing awareness to racial label.. What happens after the lights go off?? I really like it.. Things like this have such an interesting impact when done the right way.. I would actually really enjoy seeing this done in a broad form, more reserved ..

I think the most important element from the reading is the willingness to understand your current circumstances, evaluate them in a productive manner and have the creative capacity to imagine change. Even if that change is something strange, if you let yourself go to a place you, or others, aren't comfortable with; it can bring out unexpected gold mines of ideas. Humans love to do this, as evidenced by the constant stream of new creations that pop up all around the world. However, sometimes we get complacent and fall into tradition which can be good in some ways and bad in others. Reading Roberta Uno's piece is eye opening to the ways in which you act traditionally. It helps you analyze what can be changed in that tradition and how to go about it in a precise way that can change the world. Allowing myself to go to places in my mind and emotions that I haven't before is what resonates in my artistic process the most. It is a constant battle to allow myself to "go ther...

Art and Social Change Invisible Theatre               Invisible Theatre is the art of creating a performance in spaces that are not stages. The people who witness it cannot be aware it is a performance or else they would become spectators. The way this can be done is creating a solid and locked script that the actors stick to but also know it so well it allows flexibility and the ability for them to mess with it when the people witnessing the act give input or there is any disruption. The actors will prepare for anything when it comes to their performance. It is imperative to choose a location where people gather in large groups in the public. An example of how this is done is by having actors play in a scene in a crowded restaurant with many patrons. You have one actor make a big fuss over a meal they hate and the waiter offers them the nicest meal, acknowledging the price which the actor eating the meal lets it be known that the price is o...

1. Roberta Uno addresses the topic of race and ethnicity in the productions that people put on. There is an inherent bias with the expectations of what different groups of people will display in theater. A young person of color, as Roberta Uno goes on to explain, is deemed "too junior/too emerging". 2. The text emphasized being aware of the content that an individual is working on and how others might interpret it. Uno explains how a female set designer never mentions having children in fear of others no longer viewing her as a professional. That is something I never really considered in my practice but just the notion that others might look at me a think oh, when is she having children is frustrating. 3. A collage of people, backgrounds and practices 4. What was a setback that was faced?

 In a blog post, address each of the following prompts: - What are the most important/significant ideas or elements outlined by Roberta and why? The idea that You need to explore sources outside the theater to find inspiration within the theater. The acceptance of youth not as uncultured and patronized by the theater, but as expressive individuals who are fully capable of engaging in theater. The recognition that every work should come with contemplation and decision to either step back or step forward. Taking the moment to contemplate and care for ourselves instead of immediately demanding from the body and pushing ourselves. - What are the implications or resonances of Uno's precepts in your own practice? I think in the preparation of an actor, all above principles and everything else that she mentioned is necessary to the mindset of the work practice. In essence, everything she mentions is about acceptance, experimentation, and reflection, and because thea...

Beautiful Trouble  Kill Them With Kindness I believe in most circumstances this works. And that the intent of this post is positive. But there are many times when kindness is not possible or impactful. I think of the attacks in Charlottesville, the nazi rally and the counter-protesters. A woman lost her life and the event was heavily violent. I do not believe kindness was practical at this moment, White Supremacy is violence and a threat to our world, seeing Nazi's rally and try to organize is a terrifying sight. Thinking kindness would solve this is naive.  I do believe, however, that individually kindness in regards to white supremacy can be effective. For example. Daryl Davis, a black man who for 30 years has been befriending White Supremacists and "reforming racists"  https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/08/30/a-black-blues-musician-has-an-unique-hobby-befriending-white-supremacists/ Recapture the Flag There is a desire to throw somet...

The messages behind these works hit harder because of who is making them and where the original inspiration came from. Wiley and Walker's works are a mimicry of past work. Wiley's pulls from the aesthetics of confederate statues and adds aesthetics of black empowerment (Which makes me ask - Must the aesthetics of black empowerment appropriate the aesthetics of white supremacy?) Wiley's work also depicts branded Nike shoes, was Nike involved in this process or did they give money to Wiley's work? Wiley also stated that this work is "apolotical" which seems difficult to believe as art in any sense is political especially work that causes discussions of race and racial justice.  Whereas with Walker's work, the piece is hoped to inspire these conversations over the types of statues and monuments being made-who is benefiting from them and who are they celebrating? Medina's work feels like a win for progressiveness, inclusion, and bringing awareness to a his...

- What are the most important/significant ideas or elements outlined by Roberta and why? 4. Working with the Given Circumstances : A writer writes; a director directs; an artist makes art because that is how they engage with the world. This functions as an important reminder to me to be creating work rather than waiting to be given opportunity. Furthermore, it makes me question myself and my practice when I do sit idly without the hunger to work. 5. Taking small steps : We often demand from the body rather than care for it or reflect inwardly. It’s important to remember to be patient with yourself and to treat yourself well because that helps to do better work in a sustainable way. - What are the implications or resonances of Uno's precepts in your own practice? 3. Concentric circles : If truth was at the core than those sitting further away would feel reverberations.  I firmly believe in the principle of human truths connecting people of different backgrounds to w...

What are the most important/significant ideas or elements outlined by Roberta and why? It’s about difference, getting out of the way, concentric circles and the further margin, working with given circumstances, taking small steps, commitment to the unknown, relevance, go there, it’s not about the money: lead with the art, and imagine the future are her main principles. Acknowledging our differences are vital to truly serving the community and not overlooking or underserving any part of the community.  Take a step back before volunteering yourself for a project. Do you have experience with what the work is trying to tell? Should you instead help in another way and let someone else better equipped for the job do it? Approach work with truth, instead of polarizing labels like majority/minority, black/white, gay/straight, and it will impact everyone with its power. Be aware of who is not being heard. - What are the implications or resonances of Uno's precepts in your own practic...

What are the most important/significant ideas or elements outlined by Roberta and why? Roberta made some very important points on live theater and who can tell who's story. Specifically, her experience with New World Theater and directing culturally specific pieces. She explained how she asked Nefertiti Burton to direct Letters to a Student Revolutionary by Elizabeth Wong, considering that Nefertiti knew much more on the subject than her. I particularly enjoyed her "getting out of the way" method and how the choice to bring in directors and artists for specific projects was very smart.  What are the implications or resonances of Uno's precepts in your own practice? The precepts of "Commitment to the Unknown" and "Go there" are particularly resonant to my acting practice. A note I've gotten in my time at Calarts is to expand and try new things that might frighten me as an actor, working on that has helped me reach new levels of fre...

What are the most important/significant ideas or elements outlined by Roberta and why? You can't escape the differences in your community, and highlighting them can be extremely useful in challenging peoples' ideas. Making work shouldn't be about your ego. If you aim to serve the community, it's crucial to identify the best way you can do that. And if that means giving power to someone else, DO IT. Identify the stories that aren't being told, that need to be told, and tell them. Don't cater to the widest audience, being truthful to the story and the people it's for and from will allow for the greatest resonance with a listening audience. Limitations aren't an excuse for not making work- there will always be limitations, especially for marginalized groups. Don't forget all the small, seemingly obvious things that must be achieved in process of creating the work. Community and health are paramount. Listening comes first. If what you hear is u...

My favorite image was the illustration on page 46. The image of the goddess pitting herself between the warring humans and imploring them to stop with the war and the senseless violence. It's a striking image and it stood out to me most of all because it showed the other side of the coin. We saw so many images of propaganda that were fueling the war, and trying to get people out there, fighting each other, but then we see an image that's doing the opposite. It's graceful and elegant, and it's trying to shed light on the pointless, bloody nature of war. I found the inscription below it to be just as moving, "Both have fought hard and have suffered much in the name of humanity. Stay your hands and use your heads to find a basis of agreement."

OPEN THE PRISONS! DISBAND THE ARMY! The Surrealist Group - Prisons and armies share many similarities through cells and barracks, as well as forced continued service for a duration of time. - "There are no common law Crimes" - Peace is only a state before the war. In a time of calmness, tensions will build, which will lead to a further catastrophe - We should strive for equality and unity, where there is no longer a structure of man having power over men. Cannibalist Manifesto Oswald De Andrade - We all act in the nature of cannibalists through our nature and society we have come up in. - Everyone has differing opinions that others will disagree and push down. - People will push their problems off to others when it is something they do not understand or want to deal with. - We are all united through our communal "cannibalism" through our self-centeredness and selfish lack of control.

Open the prisons, disband the army: 1. Correctional systems are corrupt 2. Prison barracks and army barracks are eerily similar 3. Being in the army is akin to being in prison 4. No law is universal 5. Peace is just a time to prepare for war I chose this article because prisons are a topic of great interest for me. It is very easy to talk about all the faults of the prison system in our country, and others. There are individuals who are incarcerated for years on false charges; even condemned to death. Additionally, there are problems with a disproportionate number of certain races being incarcerated. However, the idea that prisons are evil and that they need to be disbanded is completely absurd to me. Yes, there may be people in those prisons who should not be; but the large majority of those people deserve to be there. I do not believe that laws should be subjective. Whether we like to admit it or not; we are part of one of the most successful governmental structures that exist...

The Videosphere by Gene Youngblood Synthesis: Gene Youngblood professes the necessity of shared ownership and public access to the media. Key Takeaways: The media must be public and no longer commercial/corporate. The media should serve all people, not just some. The media should be real, not artificial. The public must be consciously aware of the media, not passive agreers. The media can no longer be washed in unhealthy, harmful, or problematic information. Womens Art: a Manifesto by Valie Export Synthesis: The history of women has been told by men, but the future of women will be told by women. Key Takeaways:  Men have controlled the narrative of women. Women have not had the chance dos peak for themselves, so they have not been able to find themselves.  Women must use the media to take control of their narrative. Women must forget all their notions of their life, which were provided by men, in order to find new ones that align with a ...

Call to The Artists of Latin America : -Revolutionary Art does not carry a predetermined style; it is imbued with true creativity and affirms and defines the personality of a people and a culture. -The militant attitude of the Latin American artist is as important as his work. -The Revolution is a process that begins long before the seizure of power and continues far beyond it. -They denounce the so-called neutrality of art. -They denounce the dependence of the artists on the rigid mechanism of the commercial market, on the imposition of fashions and the aestheticism emanating from them; Women’s Art: A Manifesto : -Men have projected their image of women onto  science and art, word and image, fashion and architecture, social transportation and the division of labour, and in accordance with these medial patterns they gave shape to women. -Women must participate in the construction of reality via the building blocks of media communication. this will not happen spon...