THANKS FOR A GREAT SEMESTER!

Thanks, everybody, for a great semester! See you in January.

Best,

Chris

Peter Boal

I think reading this profile was an eye opener for me.  I thought i was really cool the way he said that he wanted people to not only support his productions but all the dance going on through out seattle.  That is something that takes great respect for him to say, it also gives him that image to other dancers through out the area.  It is great to hear someone that is not only thinking about himself and his productions but is opening himself and his productions up to respecting other companys in the area.

Artopian Seattle

I love hearing about the great art in Seattle!  It is so amazing the things you can find in this city, it is so great to know that you are a striving artist surrounded my millions of resources right at your fingertips.  It is such an awesome thing to be at cornish right in the middle of the art world around me.  It is good to know that there are things out there for me when i graduate.  The time and effort it takes to make these things possible is something that most people don't care about and it is great to be surrounded by people that support you.

Artopian Seattle

I love hearing about the great art in Seattle!  It is so amazing the things you can find in this city, it is so great to know that you are a striving artist surrounded my millions of resources right at your fingertips.  It is such an awesome thing to be at cornish right in the middle of the art world around me.  It is good to know that there are things out there for me when i graduate.  The time and effort it takes to make these things possible is something that most people don't care about and it is great to be surrounded by people that support you.

From Kobe to Broadway

I think it is so great to hear about someone that went to Cornish that can speak so highly about her education that she recieved.  It really gives me the confidence and motivation so succeed here at Cornish.  I think it is great that this girl gave it her everything to do what she really loved.  She never stopped trying, that really shows the heart it takes to accomplish your goals.  I think it was incredible to see the changes she made to go to Cornish.  She must have had to make such sacrafices to make this new life style work for her.  I think that is amazing, just goes to show that if you put your mind to what you want...you can always accomplish your goals.

Sweet Home

I remember when we were talking about this in class, the sense of home.  I really thought about it and questioned myself as to were my sense of home really is and what that means.  This piece or writing also really made me think about my "sweet home".  I definently agree to the sense of place that they talk about, it being a virtual immersion that depends on lived experience.  I have not been in Seattle for very long but somehow the college experience doesn't necisarly mean that seattle is my home.  I always say that i am from my hometown, but am I anymore?  My drivers license is from there, i am not a Washington resident.  But I feel like it is the time in my life were i need to call Seattle my home, i do live here, i want to live here for awhile, i will be here for another 3 years atleast, why isn't it my home?  I think i will always classify my parents home my home.  It is really hard for me to really signify were I am from, home to me can be multiple places.

The big six

Reading this really opened my eyes to the art dealing industry (0bviously because that is what it is about).  I did not know that Seattle had such a huge history of the art community, and it has been changing and growing every year...getting better and better.  I think it is really neat that people give so much to the industry and really devote themselves to making it happen.  It takes alot of time, devotion, and money to make it work, the people that give themselves to this should be recognized more often.  It is really amazing that it all started out so small but without the help and devotion of these people it would not be nearly as big as it is now.  Striving artists are given a chance in these art industry's and that is really incredible.

Seattle's Longest Lasting Art Dealers

Francine Seder was the figure I found most interesting in this article. I was remindedof my mother in the sense that this woman had similarly found a calling through a random and complex path of jobs, some of which had nothing to do with eachother and would not typically lead to the next.Especially after seeing pioneer square, I found this article fascinating to read because I would never have guessed that what I saw had been established by these people in the way that it was. I also found Woodside’s story of borrowing big pieces quite humorous.

broken for you

I could relate to Wanda’s musings on the theatre and how it is this family that becomesso incredibly close and then is forced to break apart. Even though one may find another way of connecting with others, one can never find the same connection one had with the last “family”. It is interesting that though Wanda has been through this process of loving and losing in the world of the theatre, she has yet to grasp this notion as it applies to her relationships in real life.

Broken for You, chapters 11-22

“You’re part of this intense family for a while, and then everyone moves on.”

This quote from Wanda struck me while reading it and struck me again reading the prompt. An intense family undoubtedly moves on from the past, but the relationship of a family runs deep within its members. The past is ingrained in all of us, constantly playing the biggest part of what makes us who we are NOW. True, sometimes you may never again see some members of the cast of a show you've been in after closing, but the intense family you built during the run of that show has altered you. Perhaps "moving on" is not a negative idea. Perhaps "moving on" is the unconscious growth that your intense family has affected you with.

Broken for You: chapters 23-34

As humans, mistakes are inevitable. Within a relationship context, mistakes are what progresses a friendship or love. As Stephanie said, the plate with the chip is the one with a story. And relationships are patterned the same way. Most often, the bad times or cracks in a relationship seem to outweigh the good because they propel that relationship to a different level. When you've been through something tough with someone, the connection you have with them is stronger, you're closer.

The only thing I disagree on with Kallos is her statement regarding regret. I like to live my life with no regrets. There is a time for "what if," but if dwelled upon "what if" ideas can control your relationships and your ego. Instead of regret, I believe in second chances and the grace of fellow humans.

broken for you

What strikes me about Kallos’ writing is that she is intrigued by imperfection, in relationships as well as individual people. Both Wanda and Margaret feel a srong need to redeem themselves, yet neither one is likely to change their habits (Wanda’s searching and obsessing, Margaret’s relentless collecting of things) and in a way, their respective stubbornness allows them to recognize it in each other and therefore, within themselves. I am struck by how much Stephanie Kallos’ style reminds meof Margaret Atwood’s, particularly in her desire to tell the stories of searching individuals in an effort to complete what they have left undone in their pasts.

Artopian Seattle

From the minute I read the first paragraph of this article, I knew I didn’t like it. The author’s beginning and ending seem so negative and condescending, while the middle section of quotes from local artists seems to just be full of name dropping and advertisement of their galleries. As I read, I knew who few of the people were and few of the galleries mentioned so all I got out of it was that, according to the quotes, I am to visit those places and know those people to truly understand or to be a better artist. The ending was a slap in the face: “But if artists don’t dream, who will?” The whole thing sounded very backhanded to me.

Big 6

It was so interesting to me to read about the beginnings of the art scene in Pioneer Square, especially since I never knew there were tons of art galleries there. Gordon Woodside and Francine Seders’ stories stood out to me. Founding his gallery with a loan from a friend and borrowing “big name” pieces for his first show, Woodside’s story makes me smile because it is so stereotypically artistic. Francine Seder sounds like an all-around amazing person. Training as a lawyer, moving to the States, working as a librarian, living in the basement of her gallery, it appears that Seder has such an incredible life story and one that shows the power of following her passion. I specifically loved this quote from Francine: “…people are not buying as much as two years ago. That will change because people need art; it’s a necessity and they always come back.”

Veggie Band

Thought you guys might find this interesting because we were talking about weird bands yesterday. These people make instruments out of veggies and then play them...pretty cool.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpfYt7vRHuY

MOORE THEATRE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION!

The Moore Theatre is celebrating it's 100th year with a vaudeville inspired open house! It's going to be a great party. Completely free including food and drinks. Please come and celebrate 100 years of performing arts at The Moore Theatre with over 25 local performing acts. Please spread the word!

On Stage Billing

Kevin Joyce of Seattle Channel’s Big Night Out as emcee
Hammond B3 Organ
Saint James Cathedral Fanfare
Laura Drake & Joanne Klein perform vaudeville’s Two Woman Act
Joanne Klein belts Sophie Tucker’s Some of These Days
Hallie Kuperman and Century Ballroom dancers perform swing and audience participation
Artis the Spoonman, famous busker plays his faster-than-the-eye-can-track spoons
Sergiy Krutikov of Teatro Zinzanni juggles just about everything
Alicia Murillo of Opera Café, Columbia City Theater sings Rossini and Kurt Weill
Ladies Musical Club presents Helena Emery performing a Jascha Heifetz tribute
Tamara the Trapeze Lady and Quynbi Horton of Columbia City Cabaret dazzle on trapeze ropes
Lily Verlain performs La Vie En Rose
Sydni Deveraux pays vocal tribute to Fats Waller’s Ain’t Misbehavin’
Broadway Bound teens perform two pieces from the musical Dreamgirls
Kara O’Toole dances Pat Graney’s work, Jesus Loves the Little Cowgirls
Totally Tap Kids and Northwest Tap Connection tribute Bill Bojangles and Savion Glover
Michael Matthews on saxophone plays Charlie Parker
HAIR is commemorated through the song Age of Aquarius sing-a-long

The Moore house band rocks out with 40 years of folk and rock featuring:
Benjamin Anderson, Leif & Levi Andersen, Jeff Angell , Nabil Ayers, Zach Davidson, Josh LaBelle, Jeff Rouse, Andrew McKeag, Ty Willman, Victoria Wimer, Kim Virant and guests

Theatre Entrance & Lobby Billing
Ye Olde Carolers on High sing festive Christmas carols
Adam Lee, Balloon Man, sculpts legendary performer balloons
Haruko Nishimura, performs Butoh in the mezzanine arches
Sukuma Avery mystifies patrons with his magic tricks
Shakespeare characters assist in ordering beverages
Pike Place Market Buskers bring home the vaudeville spirit with Carleton Baltimore (paper horn man), Reggie Miles (hand saw & junk guitar) and Slimpickins (rags, country blues & cajun tunes)

RAFFLE DRAWINGS on stage with Randy Hoffmeyer as Jack Benny
Free Food, Drink, Pizza from Tom Douglas' Serious Pie and Sculpted Cake by JW Desserts!

Milk crates, construction cranes, posters, and snow on the mountains

As I walk down the street
Many objects appear in sight.
It was the first morning
I noticed the snow on the
Distant mountains.
Beautiful was the color
White
Amidst the fog
over the water.
I tripped carefully
on a milk crate
on the sidewalk
which broke my trance
and made me notice
the construction cranes
that are endlessly present
in the city.
Building the homes
for the generations before us.
Looking up for a brief moment
the clouds slowly move
towards each other
and a brightly colored poster
on a telephone pole
catches my eye.
It looked like a bird
flying low
But it's just an
advertisement
and I walk on...

Arts Support!

Writing Prompt: What are some of the ways in which the arts are supported in the city of Seattle?

The arts have so much support in the city of Seattle. So much more than I would have thought! Artist Trust is amazing. Everything it does for artists, funding them, providing courses, providing the opportunity for them to share their work with the public and get themselves out there. There is support financially. Work-wise, there is help for artists to get out and be part of the community. Artist Trust is one of the most generous organizations that I have encountered in this class this semester. I feel like this is one of the greatest gifts people who love art could support it.
Jim Tune is also one of those people who helps the arts because he loves it. I like the quote about him and his more organized nature from Donnelly, "He's much more organized and methodical than I am. I'm better at free-falling and landing on my feet; he uses a road map. But with that road map, he really knows the community. People know him and trust him already. With his great track record, everyone just fell in behind him. He knows where all the bodies are buried - and who buried them." It is so important for the arts to have a liason between the organization itself and the corporations who support them. That is who Tune is. He has ArtsFund now, and continues to inspire other organizations in different cities to support the arts.

support for the arts!

I think that the percent-for-art ordinance is awesome! I'm such a huge fan of public art! I just love turning the corner in the middle of a business district and having a sculpture jump out at me. It completely changes the atmoshphere of a place. Downtown Everett used to be pretty bland, and not a very desirable place, but within the last couple years they have started putting a lot more public art out, and it has completely changed my perception of the city. (Everett also has a percent-for-arts ordinance in place).
I was pretty excited to read that Artist Trust also supports arts students through scholarships! Definately must research that more!
I was a little dissapointed with the ArtsFund article, because I feel like I don't have as good of a sense of what that orginization is all about, and the article focused mostly on the CEO.

Support

The city of Seattle gives a percentage of "city capital improvement" funds towards new art. Artist Trust helps local artists with grants and fellowships as well as publishing opportunities for career development and support information. ArtsFund also helps out local artists with money and is currently attempting to expand into Snohomish county and possibly Olympia.

Supporting the Arts

I thought it was really great to read about how much thought goes into the making of public art. When I see a piece of art in a public place, I never really thought about how it got there and why. I would just enjoy it. Now I know that public art projects not only benifit the viewers but the artists themselves. Having public art encourages visual artists to have a voice within thier own city, and also enriches the daily lives of it's people. I really think that setting aside a percentage of money just for public art installations is a great idea, as well as a vital one too.
I also never realized how much Artist Trust did for working artists. For one thing, they help artists make sure that they can stay working. I thought it was interesting just how far thier help reached into different fields, like emergency relief and health care for artists in need. It was also interesting to see how Artist Trust has evolved and not evolved. One example is when people suggested that they support students and teachers as well, but that they decided that the program should still focus on supporting working artists in their art-making.

What's the Mission?

One mission statement that I found quite intriguing--albeit simple-was the one for Book It Repertory Theatre: "a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming great literature into great theatre through simple and sensitive production and to inspiring its audiences to read." I thought that this mission statemnet was so appropriate for what the company accomplishes simply by being loyal to the literature that inspires its productions and its innovative way of narrating the stories. I also thought that it is not to be overlooked that their mission is to inspire a love of books in their audience, as this is a very original idea for a theater company and shows the company's integrity as well as their originality.

Peter Boal

I enjoyed this article and learning about a pioneer in the dance world, since it is indeed a world I don't know very much about but which I find incredibly interesting. I also loved reading about an individual who is taking an art form that gravitates towards tradition and making it "new" again. Because ballet in particular is still very much rooted in the original techniques of its founders, many forget or are unaware that at its beginning, ballet was considered a rogue form of artistic expression--ballet dancers themselves were in a similar realm of society that many actors were in, and it was not a highly respected one. Therefore, I think it is wonderful that someone has made it something controversial again, an art form that can once again challenge society and convention in the present day as it did over a century ago.

Artopian Seattle

Catherine Person's statement that "about 99 percent" of the artists in Seattle are underappreciated is such a universal fact, and something I have spent time agonizing over. Yet she also says that to be an artist is a very courageous endeavor, which is an important notion for everyone to remember.

I felt this article was interesting in that I got see the various opinions of local artists on their preferred mediums, locations, etc., it also felt a bit discombobulated since I am not a native of this city, and I have little to base their opinions on.

FINAL PORTFOLIO

Your assessment in Integrated Studies is based on a portfolio of your writing throughout the semester. Your portfolio is a neatly organized collection of the following items:

Formal writing assignments:
o Memoir (draft and revision)
o Artist Profile (draft and revision)
o Artist Statement (draft and revision)

Informal writing assignments:
o Olympic Sculpture Park – description
o Seattle Arts Questionnaire
o “Bioregional Thinking” – blog entry
o “The Real West Marginal Way” – blog entry
o Memoir – pre-writing exercises
o “I am from . . .” poem
o “The Big Six: Seattle’s Longest Lasting Art Dealers” – blog entry
o “Sweet Home” – blog entry
o “From Kobe to Broadway” – blog entry
o “Artopian Seattle” – blog entry
o “Profile: Peter Boal” – blog entry
o “Sound Artist Trimpin” – blog entry
o interview questions
o Frye Art Museum – response
o Broken for You, chapters 1-10 – blog entry
o Broken for You, chapters 11-22 – blog entry
o Broken for You, chapters 23-34 – blog entry
o “What’s the Mission?” – blog entry
o “Arts Pump $330 Million into Seattle Economy” – blog entry
o “Public Art,” “The Artist Trust Story,” “ArtsFund CEO Playing a New Tune” – blog entry

When you have assembled and organized your written work, read through it and reflect on the work you’ve done this semester.

(1)
· Select three examples of your informal writing that represent your best reflections on readings, your strongest writing, or class activities/exercises that you found particularly useful or meaningful.
· Write a short reflective memo on these examples of your informal writing. (Why did you choose these specific pieces? What of yourself do you see in these entries? What do they demonstrate about your thinking, growth, or abilities?)

(2)
· Select one example of your formal writing that represents what you consider to be your strongest work.
· Write a short reflective memo explaining why you chose this piece. (What “works” in this piece? Is your voice is present in the writing? What does this piece demonstrate about your growth and development?)

(3)
· Select one example of your formal writing that represents growth in your process of writing.
· Compare the first draft and the revised draft of this piece.
· Describe the process you went through in revising this piece. (What are the differences between the two drafts? Why did you make the changes you did? How did your changes improve the piece?)

(4)
· Make a list of ten things you’ve learned this semester. These may relate to Seattle artists and arts organizations, specific course readings, or places we’ve visited in field study; things you’ve learned about reading, discussing, analyzing, interviewing, or writing; and discoveries you’ve made about your own process of learning.

(5)
· Reflect on your overall growth and development during the semester.
· Write a self-appraisal of your work this semester. Discuss challenges you’ve faced, progress you’ve made, and specific skills and knowledge you’ve developed. Identify specific areas in which you need/want to improve going forward.


Organize your portfolio as follows:

. List of ten things you’ve learned this semester.
. Self-appraisal.
. Reflective memo on selected informal writing.
. Three selected examples of informal writing.
. Reflective memo on strongest formal writing.
. Strongest example of formal writing.
. Reflective memo on process of revision.
. Selected first draft and revised draft.
. Remaining informal writing.
. Remaining formal writing.

Researching Nonprofit Organizations in the State of Washington

If you're researching nonprofits organizations in the state of Washington, try this link to the secretary of state's office: http://secstate.wa.gov/charities/ Here you can get good basic information, including an overview of the organization's operating budget for the past fiscal year.

"What's the Mission?" AND the "Money money money" one

The first time I read this article, or collection really, I just skimmed through the names of organizations for ones that either cought my eye or were familiar to me and I was most suprised to see Cornish College of the Arts in the list. Most of the statements were those of theatre, dance and music companies. I just didn't expect to see an educational facility included. Also, I had never thought of this private institution to be a "non-profit" organization considering how much money moves in, out and through the school (as displayed by the palacital decor of the legendary Seventh Floor).

-----*SEGWAY*-----
Wow! The first sentence really says a lot. ITs sort of ironic to think that SO much money goes through "non-profit" organizations.
I found it very interesting that Phoenix, a city that has always been just two hours away from home, contributed $30 million more than a city like SEattle. I'll have to spend some time in Phoenix when I got back home.

Seattle Economy

It's definitely important for the arts to shout out their economic impact because the arts community in this area is growing rapidly. The people of the PNW should be aware of the impact the arts is having here. This article stimulated my mind to question the percentage of Seattle's economy that nonprofit arts organizations actually makes up. And I'm not really sure where to find that information... But knowing that our artforms are being recognized and are on the rise in popularity is a great encouragement to me!

Art's Pump It Up!

Well, I think that it is very important for artists to make a case for their art. Sometimes the public is not always going to keep on giving, because the artists voices will grow thin. Sometimes the public needs to be reminded just why art is important, so it's important to always speak up about your art form, and thats what mission statements are for.
I loved to read about how much Seattle supports it's artists. I'm excited to one day work in this town.

What's the Mission?

Backwards Company:
First of all, I like the name of the company. I also like how the company is committed to work that is mostly ensemble-based. I thought that this was interesting. I also thought that it was awesome that they really supported younnger artists. I'm interested in seeing what they do in their "ensemble-building rehearsal processes". I think that the end of thier mission statement was a little corny though... "We are change. We are relevant. We are Backwards Company."

ACT:
I liked ACT's mission statement, but I do feel like they could expand on some of their statements. I love their commitment to the city. They are a very local-based group.

Book-It Rep Theatre:
I loved how Book-It's was sweet and to the point. I wouldn't change a thing about it. A person can get lost in a wordy mission statement, but Book-It made it very clear about what they do and what they value as a theatre company.

The Arts Contribution

I think that the contribution that the arts in Seattle provide is almost underestimated. The non-profit arts industry contributes alot to the city and the average person would not think about the $330 million dollars that is going to Seattles economy, This is important to know since it really isn't somehing you think about, but definately should be known.

Milk Pole Snow Crane

Swinging left to right and right to left
never telling the others which way he's going.
He carries supplies, important pieces of what he's
building; creating a new life in a city so wide
awake.
All the while, she falls gently in the distance onto
the sharp crags, gingerly she maneuvers
herself, careful not to get hurt.
But the passersby see only the colors brightly
plastered against the wet wood, screaming
for them to enter in their parade.
Pedestrians jump and skip around the sidewalk
as the cold plastic blocks their path.

Local Mission Statements

The Empty Space Theatre Company's statement struck me by how short, yet full of life it is. The idea of bringing audience and artist to a common ground through an uncommon experience is one that I've never heard but makes perfect sense. I love that theatre should be a big "event" at Empty Space and it makes me want to see one of their productions.

The mission statement of Implied Violence is nuts. Crazy and all over the place. It caught my attention because it is written so contradictingly. What I got out of reading it was that to fully even attempt to understand what they do, I have to just get out and see a show there. To me, one of the most real pieces of their mission statement is this: "Implied Violence is an intimate, intelligent, connected group of emerging artists who create work with and for one another." While that would work as a whole and complete statement, the contradictions add much more character.

I like the ACT's statements about audience loyalty and the loyalty of the audience. It's a great presentation of teamwork.

ACT has appealed to me since our first field trip. The mission statement doesn't change that fact. "The standard is evident in the quality of artists, the variety of work, the electricity between audience and performer, the overall experience of our audience, our relationship with young, talented new artists, the quality of our staff, and most particularly in the loyalty of our audience. We are committed to enriching the cultural life of downtown and the aurrounding region." It is the fact that ACT makes their passion obvious to the public and to the artists who perform there, and their dedication to the audience. Without the audience, whoever is in it, is the most important part of theatre.
Implied Violence's mission statement was so very interesting. The attitude that is evident in it is passionate, but for what? It seems there is a lot of freedom within the organization to create pieces of theatre, or not, that are important to the people personally. The source for inspiration comes from so many aspects of life that it feels very very interesting.
Finally, the Northwest Film Forum sounds like it is incredibly helpful for aspiring film makers. The exploration of different types of film, historical for example, would help so much in the actual creation and flexibility of these artists. I love the last bullet: "to create a fertile environment for filmmakeing, specifically by establishing a filmmakers' endowment," because that is what is needed to learn and flourish, for any type of artist.

Snow on mountains, milk crate, cranes, posters

Walking through streets
Congested arteries of a city
Swept by rain
Brisk air
So biting when it hits my
Bare
Exposed
Neck
I stop
Looking past many winking cranes
Red and yellow monsters
Or awkward perched flamingoes
Nestled between mountainous buildings
Plastered with
Dog-eared and delinquent posters
They call it
Urban texture
Looking past
The Needle
Seattle’s own Eiffel Tower
I see jagged teeth capped with white
Like
Morning milk
Set welcoming in crates
Carried into houses of worship
Where the people partake
Of their morning coffee

Stephanie Quote

Author Stephanie Kallos defines a relationship as “a marvel of construction, built up over time and out of fragments of shared experience. . . . Maybe we feel such a strong kinship with pique assiette because it is the visual metaphor that best describes us; after all, we spend much of our lives hurling bits of the figurative and literal past into the world’s landfill—and then regret it. We build our identities from that detritus of regret. Every relationship worth keeping sustains, at the very least, splintered glazes, hairline fractures, cracks. And aren’t these flaws the prerequisites of intimacy?” What do you think of this view of identity and relationships?

Wow that quote is a mouthful. What I got from it is that relationships worth keeping will have some cracks in them, that they won't be perfect, and that it is this vey imperfection that makes them so meaningful and interesting. I do agree with this. I wouldn't love my best friend Jamie so much if our lives had never been so bumpy...I think certain kinds of love and understanding comes through lifes accidents and struggles. I think we hurt the people we love the most, and visa versa. Sometimes we get a crack in that relationship, and it's love and the willing to mend the crack that counts and creates the bond between us. Sometimes the severed bond that is mended is the strongest bond of all.

Wanda Reflecting

When Wanda reflects on her life in the theatre, she says, “You’re part of this intense family for a while, and then everyone moves on.” How does Troy shift the rules? And how do things change with the steady accumulation of people at the Hughes house?

Troy shifts the rules in that he decides not to move on. He stays with Wanda and she is still wondering why he decided to stay with her. She is still looking for something else, something that she can never have again...but wants very badly. She is focusing too muh on the past to be able to enjoy the present, or get a sense of what the future can hold for her.

I love all of the different characters that are accumulating in the Hughes house. Margaret is growing this unconventional family and I just love it. The house is becomming more and more lively, and each person seems to have a place, or bring something that was greatly needed to the Hughes family.

A herald of a by-gone era,
Before the plastic gallon jugs
that cut off circulation to your fingers.

The fingertips of the mountians
Are bathed in cold, frothy milk,
And framed by towers of triangles
That compose bird-like structures
That must be broken down and rebuilt
Every time they migrate.

Parallel to the towering cranes
Stand the reminants of naked trees,
Full of clamoring colors,
Informing me that if I so desired,
I could live from show
To show
And never
Sleep.

RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!

It jumped on her... it's real, I swear!!! Who knows where this creature came from, but whatever it was, it was sucking the living daylights out of her. It was accompanied with many friends. They were in the room next door, but no one knew what they were. We study them intensly, but no matter how hard and how long we stare, they will never make any sense to us. Their creator will always be the only persons who truly understands them and understands what they want from us. THey come to our world, the next generation of aliens... but this time, they've already invaded our planet. Their big sharp teeth are crawling out out of thir mouths, and yet some look so gentle. Can we trust them? Let's hope so... or... run for cover!!!

Child At Bath

Her eys pierce me; their brown, gray, and blue. So young with such emotion and intellect. Some may say her face is blank, but there is something underneath those eyes. There is sadness and wonder.
Her feet rest in a small pool of water while her hand rests on the edge of the rock where she sits.
Her hair is thin and soft, wispy. There is a gentle curl. Her faceand skin is soft. I feel her name coul be Emma, and with the music in the background, it is easy to hear her music box.
Every line and shadow is perfect. All of the focus is on her, the background is cloudily defined. She is the brightest object in the painting.
She is too young to be posing this way. Though she has not yet hit the age of puberty, she is so exposed. But she is beautiful.
There is some connection with me and children, a maternal connection, that is most prominent for me. I feel so close to them even when we are new to each other.

"...convey[s] an intermingling of childhood innocence and maturing self-awareness."

The Condemned, Frye

The Condemned.

Theres a man sitting at a table, with an expression on his face that I cannot completely explain. Grief, worry, confusion, regret perhaps? Sitting in a dimly candle lit chamber built of stone. A guard stands by the door, bowl of food in the corner, a tattered book and hat thrown upon the floor. He sits at the table thinking of his life, hoping for a miracle, waiting for his death, for he is the condemned.

THE ARTIST STATEMENT: GETTING STARTED (Your homework for Friday)

Brainstorm. Writing quickly, note your responses to the following questions. Jot down words and phrases. Don’t worry about making sense or making an impression, just allow your thoughts to flow. You are generating raw material to make use of in writing your artist statement.

* Save your responses and bring them with you to class on Friday.

1. How did you get started in your art form?

2. What are some of your favorite things about your work?

3. What are some of the things you do every day as part of your artistic practice?

4. When your work is going well, what do you notice?

5. What materials do you enjoy working with?

6. What medium(s) do you currently associate yourself with?

7. What do you explore or investigate through your art?

8. When you need inspiration, where do you find it?

9. Describe your working process.

10. Who is the intended audience for your art?

11. Who are some of the people who’ve shaped your point of view as an artist?

12. What are some of the things you’ve learned over the past three months?

13. What are you currently working on?

14. What are some of the books, movies, and other art works that have had a strong impact on you?

15. How does your background influence your work?

16. What impact do you hope to have with your work?

17. What does making art mean to you?

18. When you’re not doing your art work, what do you do?

Broken for You: Chapters 1-10

Wanda's pain is shown through her wild neuroticism, which really puts people off... thus hurting her more. Wanda is fortunate enough that Margaret is able to look past that and accept Wanda, understand her pain, and welcome her into her home.

Margaret's emotional pain has shut her away from the world. It's as if Margaret thinks that by doing so, things will return to a happier time in her life (perhaps when her father was alive, or when her son was alive.)

Cat Pictures That Make Me Laugh

Bleu de Maîtresse

What do you see when you look at me?
When you gaze into my eyes?
Can you?
Am I imploring you to take me with you
Or do I seem lost?
Or maybe
I am pleading you to leave me
To walk far away
Where my nimble feet won’t tread
Away from the darkness and the ice
That drapes my shoulders
And weighs upon my eyelids
Sliding down
Down
Heavy

I am a porcelain goddess
Cold and smooth to the touch
My cheeks lightly frosted in pale pink
My lips
They draw you in
Shaped like a temptresses heart
Deep Red
Rose Red
The only thing that calls to men
In my peacock blue isolation

I am
The epitome of a woman’s beauty
I am
Masculinity at it’s softest
Blurred at the edges
Like smeared charcoal
Strong
Slender cheekbones
I am
I am

Dance your eyes upon me
And you will see the shadows
Under my eyes
The weariness
Of my stance
Again
You look at me
And I appear ready to bear
Your awful promise of Love

I laugh the sound of waterfalls
Sing me a song
As I walk down to the waters
Forget your promises
I will return to the liquid that bore me
And only my lips will remain
Vivid rose petals
Floating upon an ocean of the very
Deepest
Blues

It is foolish to build your dreams
Upon waters such as these

The Christian Martyr

Her body hung at the top of the hill. It had only been that morning that she was nailed and bound to the planks. He couldn't have gone, it would be too painful for them both. And he shouldn't have gone, he could not risk it. Even now, as he approaced the site of her final moments, he was frightened that someone might be following him, watching him, wondering what he was doing there and why he might know this blasphemous girl.

All the life was drained from her body. Her eyes remained closed as if she were a doll and the blood that had flowed from her palms glistened as the sun set over the distand mountains.

He drew himself up to her face and placed a small kiss on her cheek, tasting the salt of her dried tears. Since he had found her and as he knelt before her, his eyes did not leave her face. Carefully, he layed the flowers at her feet and began to back away...

The Blue Girl

As a middle class worker, every day's the same. You wake up, pour your cup of coffee, which you lost the taste for long ago and now down like medicine, and go to the same damn job that you've been working at for the past 10 years; but not me. Yes, I've worked at my job for quite some time now, but every day for me is something new, because every day I work is yet another day that I get to see her. The blue girl.

I opened my little coffee shop about 6 years ago on the corner of Pike and Pine. Though not large in its size, it draws in quite the crowd. Handfuls of people come rushing in on their way to work or a buisness meeting, leavig just enough time to pop in and get their morning fix, but they all seem like a daze to me. They all carry those obnoxious breif cases that are way too big, and those fancy black dress coats, looking like something important besdies what they actually are; a nameless part of the system. But theres one of them that I jut dont quite get. Every morning around 10 o'clock she comes in. This vision in white lace, in black gloves and knit scarves, in kacki boots and satin skirts. She comes up to the counter and orders her usual, a cup of english tea with room for cream. She the takes her cup over to the dressing table and gently tips over the container of cream so as to get just the right amount and tops it all off with a pinch of sugar. She then saunters over to the chair in the corner and sits down with her journal, writing away about what I've always thought to be far off lands and romance novels. About people and places shes always longed to see, but only drempt of going. She sits so peacefully, like the calm against the blustery storm as opposed to the customers that come and grab their coffee to go, in a nervous hurry. But my little blue girl always stays and never seems to have anywhere to go. Every now and then I wonder how it was I came to giver her the name "little blue girl"....maybe its the sapphire in her eyes that catch the glimpses of sunlight as she speaks, or the color of her dress that she wears on Sunday mornings, or maybe its the color of the heavens from which she must have descent. I think I call her little blue girl because of her mystique; like an ocean that you cant break through the surface or a sky which you cant see through the clouds.

Sometimes as she huddles in her nook she chuckles to herself, probably laughing about an obsurd thought or idea thats passed through her head as she writes feverishly on the paper. Someday I'll learn her name and hear stories of what she's been writing about for all these years, but for now she's just english tea with cream and my little blue girl.

Callin Regan

The Blue Girl
Painting by Malcolm Stevens Parcell

World Premiere of GEOGRAPHY at On the Boards

Scott/Powell Performance at On the Boards (Seattle) – November 15-17 at 8:00 pm

On the Boards (OtB) presents the world premiere of Geography, a multi-media performance work for Scott/Powell Performance, November 15-17, 2007 at 8:00 pm. Geography is choreographed by Mary Sheldon Scott and composed by Jarrad Powell, with set design by visual artist Robert Campbell, costume design by Mark Zappone, and lighting design by Julianne Keenan. Some of Seattle’s foremost modern dancers – Alice de Muizon, Beth Graczyk, Mikhail Kaschock, Jim Kent, Jess Klein, Sean Ryan and Ellie Sandstrom – form the powerful cast for this vibrant new work. Inspired by man-made changes to our global geography, Mary Sheldon Scott’s intricate choreography and Jarrad Powell’s electro-acoustic scoring coalesce to map challenging internal and external worlds in an environment of glass and light designed by visual artist Robert Campbell.

TICKETS are available from On the Boards – 206.217.9888 or via the website at ontheboards.org

On the Boards is located at 100 West Roy Street in lower Queen Anne at the corner of 1st Avenue West and Roy

Broken for You

Prompt:Margaret’s diagnosis prompts her to take certain personal risks and to make herself vulnerable in ways that she hasn’t for many years. Describe a time in your own life when you decided to take a personal risk. What happened? Be as specific and detailed as possible in describing your experience.

Definately the bigest risk I have taken was deciding to become an artist. I know that there are a lot of people here in the same boat.
I have always had a passion for art, but it wasn't until winter of my junior year that I seriously considered making the transition from "someone who does art" to "artist." It was terrifying. I started taking art classes my sophomore year, and a little bit into my junior year my art teacher told me she thought I should consider applying to some art schools. At first I thought that maybe that was something she said to all her students who did more that goof off, but she kept encouraging me. I was so unsure. I knew that I would love to spend the rest of my life making art, but I couldn't shake the though that it would probably mean living with my parents untill I was thirty or never being able to afford more than some decrepid one-room loft. No one in my family was an artist, and the whole idea was so alien. So I did the only logical thing: I didn't eat for a week. More specificly, I fasted. For a week I prayed and thought about my future, and by the end of the week I knew that if I never took the risk, I would regret it for the rest of my life.
So I spent the next year building up my portfolio, and when January came around I hualed what I had to Cornish for National Portfolio Day (an event that Cornish hosts every year where representatives from art schools across the country come to review porfolios for admission). I had two finished pieces, a mess of figure drawings, and four or five unfinished paintings. I figured I'd show my stuff to the Cornish rep and see what they thought, then come back in a couple months for my official portfolio review. I laid everything out for the rep and explained the concepts behind my work and the direction the unfinished pieces were headed. When I finished I was prepared to listen to some critisism and advice, but I wasn't prepared for what happened.
"This is the calibure of work we're looking for." The rep told me. Bob, I think his name was. "I want to really encourage you to fill out an application and send it into the school." Well I wasn't exactly grasping what he was telling me, so I said something about completeing my portfolio and coming back for my official portfolio review, and he laughed. I was so confused. He had to explain to me at least two more times that he had just conducted the review, even though I only had about half the required elements, and I had been accepted. I don't know how long I stared at him with the classical "dear in the headlights" look before it really hit me and I was overcome with a foolish grin and a small fit of relieved giggles.
I took the first part of the risk, and here I am, at Cornish, now I'm lainching myself into the real risk, which will be graduating and trying to avoid being a starving artist!

Run at Hume Lake

Margaret’s diagnosis prompts her to take certain personal risks and to make herself vulnerable in ways that she hasn’t for many years. Describe a time in your own life when you decided to take a personal risk. What happened? Be as specific and detailed as possible in describing your experience.

I'm really excited to find that I really find this book at it's characters exciting. It is so detailed...any who, okay, a time that I took a personal risk.

I went to a Christian camp for a week in the summmer before I started high school. I had moved out of my old house during the summer, and I really hadn't been seeing any of my old friends. I had kinda been isolated the whole summer...then I decided to go to camp with the church I had been currently attending. The trip started off as usual...a bunch of teenagers crowding on to a bus holding pillow cases and backpacks stuffed with cd's and snack foods. I made friends with a girl sitting in back of me because I had decided to bring a box of teddy grams...she ended up being one of the most closest friends I've ever had...all because a box of teddy grams. Again, moving on. The whole week at camp I just kept opening myself up. I kept expanding my possibilities. I remember that I use to be afraid of being alone. Up at Hume Lake, I discovered the wonderful feeling of being alone and feeling peaceful at the same time.
The last day we were at Hume we had a big sports event that determined which group won the...whatever it was. We had a competition the whole week...forgot really what the competiton was, but whoever had the most points at the end won. I volunteered to run a two mile run up a mountain, and then back down again. I was SO nervous. PLUS I wasn't a runner...I was a swimmer. I felt like I struggled more mentalley to get up the mountain than physically...but I did it. I came in last...and remember wanting to cry at the end because I came in last, but then my group mobbed me...a huge group of screaming girls. They were SO proud of me for doing what I did. No one else wanted to do the run...and they told me they were all in awe that I volunteered to do the hardest part of the competition. Then my heart swelled and I was able to appreciate what I had done. The Stacy I was a year ago would have NEVER volunteered to run the race. I had grown...and gained so much more by putting myself out there.

INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC: A PAN-INDIAN PERSPECTIVE

Cornish Music Series and Ragamala Present: Indian Classical Music: A Pan-Indian Perspective

A recital highlighting the two major traditions of music in South Asia, the music of South India, or Karnatak Music, and the music of North India, or Hindustani Music. Seattle-based artists Raman Iyer, violin, vocalist Srivani Jade and vocalist Arijit Mahalanabis, will present recitals of each form.

Saturday, November 10th, 8:00pm
PONCHO Concert Hall, Kerry Hall
710 E. Roy St., Seattle, WA
Free for Cornish students, faculty and staff.
General Admission: $15, $7.50 students, seniors & Cornish alumni.
Free parking in the garage behind Kerry Hall on Boylston Ave.
http://www.ragamala.org/

B R O K E N F O R Y O U

In response to the prompt 
 “Margaret and Wanda both carry secret grief, and yet they have each developed different strategies for dealing with it. How have their strategies for dealing with their pain both helped and hurt them?”
Margaret and Wanda both deal with there grief in 2 complete opposite ways, Margaret keeps here grief to here self most of the times but instead of asking her self how to cop she tends to ask others, as in the first chapter in the french diner when she asks “nose ring ”

“do you mind if i ask a you a personal question” 
 Nose ring shrugs” no what is it 
 “Well its a rather trite i suppose but if you found out that you had only a short while to live maybe a year or two how would you spend your time”

She goes on to say to say she would do the opposite of what she has done and it would be the last change to break your old-habits. Margaret then goes to the point of admiring her answer and seems pleasantly surprised by the answers.

Wanda’s way of coping with pain is much MUCH more public than margaret, and it seems like she wants everyone to know how dramatic her break up with her boyfriend is and how everyone she should know that she is heartbroken. In fact the first thing she does when she meets wanda is do just that before even entering her home she sprays her guts all over the front porch and when she enters starts crying about bizarre things.

“is it alright to be here now?” said wanda
 “Yes. It’s fine. com in”said margaret
But wanda stayed outside and right away started telling margaret about her life story

She even goes to as far of obsession of her boyfriend as to think he is in 
disguise and looking for her on the public bus dressed up as a women she then seems to go completely insane when she gets off the bus and makes a mural of his face out of garbage cigarette buds while sobbing on the sidewalk as people walk by. She is defiantly and very over the top theatrical person and kind of drove me crazy as I read the book.

Call for Art - Seattle City Hall

Seattle City Hall Exhibitions

Deadline: Friday, Dec. 21, 2007 (11 p.m. PST)

The city of Seattle seeks artist and community exhibition proposals for display in City Hall galleries in 2008. The 2008 exhibition cycle will begin in February.

Two galleries at Seattle City Hall - the City Hall Lobby Galleryand the Anne Focke Gallery - focus on works that reflect the broad diversity of Seattle's communities and highlight the work of regional artists and community organizations. Group or solo exhibitions are welcome and will be displayed from six to eight weeks. Exhibitions showcase the life of the city through the work of its departments, the activities of its residents, and its relationships with neighbors, sister cities and trading partners.

The galleries are equipped to display 2-D materials, however 3-D exhibitions will be considered, providing applicants can furnish necessary display cases. Video and media works will not be accepted.

The City Hall Lobby Gallery features eight, 6' x 4' double-sided,metal, peg-board panels. The Anne Focke Gallery features a 120-footlong display wall (with professional hanging system) and is located on the L2 level of City Hall. Video and media works will not be accepted.

All applications must be submitted digitally through the CaFÉT online system.

Apply online through CaFÉT at http://www.callforentry.org/

Cornish Dance Theatre - Fall 07 Concert

Performances
Cornish Dance Theater Fall 2007 Concert
Friday, November 16th at 8pm and Saturday, November 17th at 2pm and 8pm
Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway

If you can’t make it to the Cornish Dance Theater performances, don’t fret. There is a Preview Performance/Dress Rehearsal of the Fall 2007 Concert on Thursday, November 15th at 7:00 pm. This event is free and open to the public and no tickets are required.

Preview Performance/Dress Rehearsal
Cornish Dance Theater Fall 2007 Concert
Thursday, November 15th, 7 pm
Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway

hang out?

hey folks,
what's good?

i was just wondering if any one would be interested in going to see "Life of Galileo" on Monday, the 5th,
pay what you can, yo!

we don't have class tomorrow so i thought i'd just post.
if you're interested give me a ring =]
360.259.2799

-romeo

Call for Submissions from Cornish Student Magazine, BIRDS & WHISTLES

The Birds & Whistles editors are looking for:

Writing: Poetry, short stories, short plays or scenes from plays, personal essays and other creative non-fiction, song lyrics.

All kinds of visual art still and motion.

Recorded Music

Photographs from dance and theater productions.

Videotaped performances.

Costume sketches/set designs

And any other art you feel represents what you are studying/most proud of at Cornish.

Please note that all work included must be original student work. We cannot, for example, include student performances of music, choreography or plays by outside authors, for copyright reasons. Further guidelines and submission standards are available at http://www.cornish.edu/birdsandwhistles/submit.html

Strawberry Theatre Workshop Production of LIFE OF GALILEO

Life of Galileo
(written by Bertolt Brecht; translation by David Edgar; directed by Rosa Joshi)

In 1610, at the peak of the Age of Discovery and the Inquisition, a man raised a telescope toward the heavens and made the explosive claim that the earth was not in fact the center of the universe. Centuries later, Bertolt Brecht expressed his own explosive opposition to fascism by re-imagining the story of Galileo’s conflict between reason and faith. Now, the artists of Strawberry Theatre Workshop—recent winners of The Stranger’s Genius Award for 2007 and producers of Accidental Death of an Anarchist and An Enemy of the People—join the students, faculty and staff of Seattle University to realize Brecht’s epic fascinating play of social responsibility and the power of ideas.

Performances
Thursday, Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m.
Preview (pay what you can*)
Friday, Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 28, 2 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 29, 7:30 p.m. (pay what you can*)
Thursday, Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m. SOLD OUT
Friday, Nov. 2, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 3, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 4, 2 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 5, 7:30 p.m. (pay what you can*)
Thursday, Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 9, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 10, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 11, 2 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 15, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 16, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 18, 2 p.m.

Tickets are $6 for students with ID and $20 for general admission. Discounts are available for groups of four or more. Advance tickets are available through Brown Paper Tickets online at file://www.brownpapertickets.com/ or by phone at (800) 838-3006.

For more information, contact (206) 296-5360.

* Pay What You Can is available at the door only.

Pay-What-You-Can Tickets to 800 WORDS: THE TRANSMIGRATION OF PHILIP K. DICK at Live Girls! Theatre

Are you broke? Know someone who is? Every Thursday night performance of 800 Words: The Transmigration of Philip K. Dick is pay-what-you-can with the super secret password "Good and Plenty" (you'll get it when you see the show). Pass it on.

The Stranger says, "...probably as close to the happy chaos of reading a Dick novel as the stage will ever see"

The Weekly says, "...a beautifully structured example of what surreal theatre can be."

Here's the low-down:

West Coast Premiere
800 Words: The Transmigration of Philip K Dick
By Victoria Stewart
Directed by Jess Smith
Featuring Shawn Belyea as Philip K. Dick, Megan Ahiers, Erin Kraft, Holly Arsenault, Colin Connors, Nik Perleros, and Darian Lindle.

Oct 19th- Nov 17th
Thurs/Fri 8pm Sat 4pm/8pm
All shows at Live Girls! 2220 NW Market
More info athttp://www.livegirlstheater.org/

Click here for tickets

800 Words is wild ride into the mind of visionary science fiction writer Philip K. Dick,
which happens to include-
a phantom twin,
a secret agent man,
a talking cat
and the voice of God.

"Insanity is sometimes an appropriate response to reality." - Philip K. Dick

Whose reality, or fantasy, are we watching onstage? Whose reality are we living? Was Philip K Dick a visionary or madman? Blurring the lines between reality and perception, 800 Words: The Transmigration of Philip K. Dick is a reinvention of the last days of this legendary writer. Based on a true story, the play begins just as Philips novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep is to be released as the Hollywood film Blade Runner.

If you like a firm line between art and entertainment, reality and fantasy, us versus them, prepare to have your mind blown by the darkly funny and absurd journey that is Victoria Stewart's 800 Words: The Transmigration of Philip K Dick.

It features an exciting cast of Seattle actors including Shawn Belyea as Philip K. Dick, Megan Ahiers, Erin Kraft, Holly Arsenault, Colin Connors, Nik Perleros, and Darian Lindle. The production team includes stage manager Laura Lindle, dramaturg Erin Culbertson, set design by Grant Laine, props by Gretchen Drew, lighting by Dave Hastings, sound design from Jason Miller, puppets by Brian Stricklan with additional crew assistance from Collin Fredinburg.

LINKS:

PKD Official Site
PKD Fan Site

Earshot Jazz Events at Cornish This Week

This week Cornish hosts two Earshot Jazz Festival concerts along with an afternoon workshop on Friday.

Cornish Music Series and the Earshot Jazz Festival present

Anat Cohen Quartet / Dawn Clement Trio
Thursday, October 25, 8 pm
Idiomatically conversant with modern and traditional jazz, classical music, Brazilian choro, Argentine tango, and Afro-Cuban styles, Anat Cohen has established herself as one of the primary voices of her generation on both the tenor saxophone and clarinet since arriving in New York in 1999.

Opening the concert is Seattle-based pianist and composer Dawn Clement, with Geoff Harper, bass and D’vonne Lewis, drums. Along with teaching at Cornish, Dawn is also very active in the NYC scene, working on collaborations with Jane Ira Bloom, Julian Priester, and Jon Solo.

John Hollenbeck’s Refuge Trio
Friday, October 26, 8 pm
This collaborative trio features John Hollenbeck, drums & percussion; Theo Bleckmann, voice & electronics; and Gary Versace, piano & keyboard, joining forces to explore delicate and playful music with mystery and exuberance. As the Refuge Trio, they fashion a transformative experience for the audience with their music and spirit.

Refuge Trio Workshop – Friday, October 26, 2pm – Free and open to the public.

Events take place in PONCHO Concert Hall (in Kerry Hall at 710 E. Roy St. Seattle).
Tickets for the Earshot Jazz events are $18 general / $16 discount.

Pike Place Market

Seattle Artist Profile

By this point in time, you have researched a local artist, interviewed him/her about his/her work, done a freewrite of your observations and reflections of the interview, and typed up your notes. Now, you are ready to begin the process of writing a profile of the artist.

What is a profile?
A profile serves as an introduction to an artist, providing the reader with insight to the artist’s life and/or work and communicating what is unique, interesting, or compelling about the individual.

What makes a good profile?
A well-written profile draws the reader in by painting a portrait with words. It shows rather than tells about the artist by incorporating precise observations about the artist’s behavior, his/her work, working environment, and working process to make the reader feel as if he/she were there. It sparks the reader’s curiosity about and engagement with the artist. The language is active and descriptive.

Direct quotations from the artist can make a profile come alive. A person’s words provide a direct experience of the individual, and help to convey personality and temperament as well as point of view.

As a baseline, the information in the profile must be accurate. But it must go further. It must be well-informed, providing greater depth than what someone could learn by simply reading the artist’s biography. It should offer context for comprehending the artist’s work.

Where do I start?
First, reflect on the experience of the reader, who may be learning about this artist for the first time. What characterizes this artist’s work? What is essential to know in order to grasp it? Jot down notes.

Next, review your notes from the interview. What did the artist have to say that was particularly insightful or compelling? What discoveries and realizations did you experience in the course of your interview? What did you learn that was new or surprising? Flag or otherwise highlight noteworthy quotations and telling details.

Based on what you’ve learned about the artist and your personal interview, consider what kind of story you have to tell. (Did the individual share his/her philosophy of art? tell you his/her life story? offer advice about how to get started in the business? inspire you to explore your own artistic practice with greater commitment?) Do you want to share a blow-by-blow account of your interview, or an overview of the artist’s career and philosophy? Do you want to focus on one performance/exhibition/concert/piece by the artist, or his/her whole oeuvre? What do you have to offer to the discussion of this artist’s work that hasn’t already been said? Jot down notes.

How do I get rolling?
Once you’ve determined (at least for now) what kind of story you have to tell, start writing.

Freewrite. Cut loose. Tell the story as it comes to you. Find the flow of words, images, and ideas. (Anne Lamott, author of Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life, refers to this stage as “the shitty first draft.” Don’t worry about making it perfect. Don’t worry about making a mess. What matters is that you get your ideas written down. Then, later, you will go back and build on your best ideas and cut away what doesn’t work.)

What’s the next step?
Read your freewrite. Find what’s valuable in it and flag those sections. Now you’re ready to rewrite and structure the story.

Lead off with an eye-catching quotation from the artist, a vivid description of the individual, or a sharply observed description of the artist’s work space. Your first paragraph should grab the reader’s attention.

Take your reader through your story, step by step. Include telling details, concrete images, and direct quotations to illustrate your points. (Show, don’t tell.)

Bring the piece to a conclusion when the story is done. (Length is less important that substance.)

Now that I’ve written a draft, aren’t I done?
You’ve really just gotten started. Read your profile aloud. Does it flow? Is it clear? Does it communicate a vivid sense of the artist? Note elements you’d like to change, sentences you need to sharpen, ideas you’d like to clarify or amplify.

Double-check your facts. Read your profile with a questioning spirit, clocking everything that you need to verify (spelling, names, places, dates, etc.). Go back over your notes from the interview, consult your research, and (if necessary) contact the artist for verification.

Revise your draft until you’re satisfied with it. Proofread and make corrections.

Now that I’ve got a revised draft, I’m done, right?
Nope. Now you need perspective. Share your profile with another student or a tutor in the Writing Center. Invite feedback and listen to responses.

Revise as needed. Carefully proofread and make corrections.

What else is needed to prepare the draft for class?
Type your profile, double-spaced with one-inch margins. At the top of the page, write your name, the date, “Seattle Arts Ecology,” and “Artist Profile.” Proofread for spelling mistakes, grammar errors, typos, etc. Make corrections as needed.

Save a copy of the paper on your computer, and print a copy to bring to class.

Due Dates
· Write first draft of artist profile by Friday, October 19
· Revise artist profile and prepare class presentation by Monday, October 22

Live Theatre Week

In celebration of Live Theatre Week in Seattle (through Sunday), many local theatres are offering backstage tours, workshops, and other events. For more information, visit: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2003947762_livetheatre15.html

Trimpin

I enjoyed reading about Trimpin's exhibits and how he has come up with innovative ways of using sound in an artistic context. Although I have never actually seen Trimpin's work, Wagonfeld was effective in conveying the effect that Trimpin has on his viewer simply by admitting defeat when trying to describe his work. She says: "Imagine a toddler banging a wooden spoon against bowls and pots while fans whir and water drips. Multiply the complexity by thousands and square it tenfold. OK, forget it. It cannot be assessed by mere mortal minds."

peter boal

This article was more difficult for me to feel like I was getting information from, since I know close to nothing about the differences between classical and modern ballet to begin with. It's impressive that Mr. Boal has had such a far-reaching impact on the progression of modern ballet, yet it is hard for me to know the effects as I am unfamiliar with what this means.

Artopian Seattle

It was interesting reading this article because not since I came to Seattle did I realize how much art exists in this city. It is interesting that other cities seem to get more attention and media coverage than others for their artistic endeavors, and having the awareness now of just how creative and progressive the Seattle art scene is -from fine art to theater to music-it is curious to me that I hear so little about it when I am outside of it. This article seemed to have the same sentiment as well as a hope for the future of Seattle and how it is recognized for its culture.

Check out this short KBTC documentary on Trimpin

(Thanks for the YouTube hint, Romeo!)

watch video Video Description KBTC is Public Television for western Washington, the local production Full Focus looks at the life of the art of Trimpin . Writer / Producer Daniel Kopec; Videographer / Editor Michael Peters

Copyright © 2007 YouTube, Inc.

Trimpin

I wish I wish I WISH! that I could see his exhibit. Its hard to forget a name like Trimpin though so I hope to one day see(hear/experience) his work in person. Listening to the descriptions of his installments, being that they combine visual and artistic elements with music, it reminded me a lot of the Blueman Group when I was able to see them live in Las Vegas. I thought that they were just a strange advertising gimmick for Pentium but they're actually amazing artists who do similar work by intregrating visual art displays with physical comedy and theatrical elements and of course they're percussive and melodic music. I would be curious to know if there are any connections between the performers and Trimpin in their training or study.

An article; describing the uplifting values of sound, intertwined with factual information on some guy I don't know. I myself would take a bat to those instruments, obtaining the optimal experience of vandalism to musical 'pinyatahs'. I hated the author's writing style, not pessimistic enough to be real.

Artopian Seattle and Trimpin' World

-- As a side note, I find myself very much satisfied and intrigued by the way the two different author's wrote in these articles.


Artopian Seattle

As Jacob has written about the way this author wrote, I like how it wasn't too 'unrealistic or extravagant.' It would be an interesting world if the world revolved around art as described in this article. I really like how the writer also allowed us to feel as if we had a say about the topic and that just because she wrote it and published it wasn't a done deal and something to keep untouched. Also how she gave her contact information. It just seemed friendly and open to new ideas.


Trimpin's World

I give props to the author of this article, I don't think there could be a better writer to describe and create vivid images of Trimpin's work by words as Judy Wagonfield has done here. Although I would like to experience Trimpin's work first hand to draw my conclusion, I think that I will be impressed by his unique style and actually become entranced and willing to stay at a museum. From my past experiences at museums, I noticed that they bore me very much. However, since attending this class, that has changed a little.
Overall, I like how Trimpin incorporated sound, music, rhythm, science, and engineering into his artwork.

Trimpin

I thought that this article was really cool to read about and made me want to go see it but I dont know what much else to write about. But one thing that stood out to me was the statement at the very beginning when he said "I dont understand how young people can listen to music and study" I totally disagree with that i cant study with out music and not just quite kind I have to listen to fast paced music. Any ways yeah I really want to see this and push the shoes around...yeah awesome.

Sound Artist

Thats a cool way of making music. Its interesting that he never records it so you have to be there in person. Sounds interesting but im not sure if i would attend, not really my type of art form.

It should be "Trippin"...

I found this article to be quite confusing, seeing as its entirely about sound. Its the same as trying to describe a dance...it can never fully be felt, because that is why they danced it in the first place. Because it isnt SUPPOSED to be said, therefore trying to say it goes against the whole point. On the other hand, describing how something sounds is quite difficult, though I praise the author on a worthy attempt.

O NO!!!! IT DIED AGAIN

Well this was a intresting artical on music/art i got good picture of what hell was talking about but i missing so much more like he says in the artical. To understand it i need to feel and hear his art in person then i could write something better but can't really write anything yet sorry.

Why my hamster died yesterday...

Yes, I wanted an interesting title. Plus, Robbie egged me on. He likes hamsters. He does. So, the sound artical art thinga ma jig. It was an intereting read. I felt like a lot of it was missed though...it's just so hard to describe something as complex as sound, especially when it's an artists exhibit as extreme as this guys. There are some visuals that are definitely cool though, like the dancing and pounding clogs. I'm sad he doesn't record his work. I would like to see some online...but I guess it's a good thing, because it forces the work to be experienced, not just watched and heard.

"Thee is mad, boy!"
-Beneatha, Raisin in the Sun

Trimpin

THIS article was awesome. It was written so freely and expressively. There were so many wonderful images and great descriptions of Trimpin's music. Plus, the music and "exhibit"-type way of showcasing it sounds amazing. Reading this article really made me interested in researching where I can go see and hear Trimpin's work. I especially liked the dancing clogs. :)

Dance

Ummmm... this article was really hard for me to read and understand simply because nothing was explained. I am not familiar with the dancers written about and their styles and without that information, the article wasn't comprehendable to me.

rad mr.trimpin =]

trimpin, trimpin, trimpin.
the name itself sounds like something coming out of a musical instrament.

so, i couldn't realy visualize the art work through the writers discription.
and i really couldn't understand the article.
so what did this 18 year old college stdent with a laptop do?
i youtube'd that trick.

cool ish man.

i think the thing that intrigues me about this eccentric kind of art is that fact taht i've never seen ((or experienced)) something like that before. it's so not the norm that i can see it's appeal.
trimpin is kind of an inspiration to me.
he's the kind of artist that take risks to produce something great.
sure, it is considered a genre that people specialize in, but it it's still pretty out there.
i love that.
the fact that he's putting something out there that not a lot of people know about.
then there's the great art lovers
like beth sellars. she gives the artist an opportunity to show her stuff,
and also gives the public an opportunity to view the works.
gee, i need a person like that,
someone to give me an opportunity to show off my work.
gee i need an agent.
hehe.

-romeo

***ohh...and by the way...
robbie's only kinda lame now =]

hi robbie!

deffinetly my kind of art!

I would really love to experience some of Trimpin's "sound sculpture!" It really challenges the viewer/listener to let go of any preconceived notion of what art or music can be. I have long appreciated so called "noise music," holding the belief that music is just sound that conveys ideas. Trimpin seems to have taken this philosophy and ran with it. I would be very interested to hear more about Jean Tinguely and these other kinetic artists.
I am deffinetly in agreement that this was more of an artist profile than the article of Peter Boal. Although it doesn't provide as much factual information about where he came from, I feel like I have a better idea of who he is.
Overall, a very intriguing article.

Peter Boal

I think its a very benificial thing for the culure in a community, or large city like Seattle, to have an outside influence come into power as an artistic director or such positions to bring new life and new ideas from other places, unfamiliar to the population. I mentioned the example in class though, when similar situations can be abused and have a negative effect. However, from what I know of Peter Boal's goals and sights for the Pacific Northwest Ballet Company I definitely support him in his work and hope to see more revolutionists try to make a difference in the culture of cities in America.

Dancing, singing, humming, and Whirring

So I feel like I would absolutely love this kind of artwork, kinetic. It seems like it would be perfect for actors in the sense that we are observant and take in the details, maybe not of inatimate objects, but it's good practice. We actually have to use all of our senses and do what our impulses tell us when watching the art of Trimpin, which to me, seems amazing. "Trimpin's work explores unique and contemporary integration of sound, space, and movement," which is EXACTLY what we theater majors are working on in our first year in Acting. I love it!
This seems to me more of an artist profile than the one on Paul Boal. It describes in detail his work, has quotes by him INSIDE the article, and I hear his name more often than his influences' names :-). This was an easy read into a form of art I didn't know existed, but now would love to see.

Blog Blog Blog

I have the night off from work! Its been awhile though so here we go... BLOG BLOG BLOG:

I want to start off by saying that my last blog about The Real West Marginal Way was inaccurate. I did feel the way I said about not liking the piece really but in class when we talked about the different imagery and phrases the author used I realized that it was a pretty well written story. I think it is interesting though that for some reason I didn't remember that from the first reading.

Sweet Home
I want to just highlight a sentence that stood out to me: "The word community is often used as a euphimism for poor neighborhoods and small towns." When I read this I instantly thought of a few examples when I had heard someone use this word with another, more negative, meaning. Discussing this piece in class made me give thought on what I consider to be "home".
My sense of home is actually a place rather than a sense or feeling. For me Home is still grounded in Tucson. Thats where I am familiar with things and thats where I think I would feel at home. But as people were sharing thier thoughts I came to realize that the memory that I have of home and the memory that I'm anxious to have restored in reality again, will never come back to me. That memory of home is contained, ideal and unchanging. When actually, Home is changing and updating everyday. The way I remember home is four months ago, before I left, and it depresses me a little to think, when I go back in two months it will not feel like "my home". And it never will feel that way again.

From Kobe to Broadway
I thought that it was really nice to know that Cornish is known and respected even outside of the country for its programs. Its also really encouraging to hear that this Cornish alumn worked hard to attend Cornish, while attending Cornish and after Cornish and was able to make it to Broadway (somewhere that many of the theatre major students would probably like to end up in time.) It proves that it can be done! We just have to keep working hard... forever.

Artopian Seattle
I loved the tone and structure of this piece! I think that the article did a good job of saying 'all of this would (or could) happen if...' without getting too unrealistic or extravegant. I don't know a lot about the art scene or about galleries in Seattle but it all sounded very legit and rational yet it isn't truth. It was a rhetorical persuasive article that didn't try to make you feel bad about any of it and the structure of saying 'This is what we'd all like to have but don't' and then saying "This, of course, is not the reality." convinces you of the great things that could happen before you have a chance to be put off by any sort of plea or guilt trip.