Arts Festival for Type 1 Diabetes

Here is an e-mail I recently sent out to begin acquiring information about organizing an arts festival that will ultimately help raise funds to find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes...

Dear Loretta Yarlow, I am a 2nd year MFA Candidate for Lighting Design in the UMass, Department of Theater. I am beginning to develop a seed idea for organizing an arts festival. I want the festival to embrace not only theatrical art, but art from a wide variety of resources. In particular, I am wondering if you would be interested in discussing the possibility of creating an exhibit of a variety of professional artist's work that speaks to our current environmental atmosphere. My initial thoughts and hopes about using the University Gallery space are to install either a painter's exhibit or an installation artist's exhibit. I am beginning my research far in advance. If, after a few conversations, my idea is one that you might consider, then the exhibit would not be installed until April 2011. I am very excited about my plans for this arts festival and would appreciate any feedback and/or support you might be able to afford me. If my inquiry would be better directed toward another person or another of the Fine Arts Center galleries, then please feel free to contact me with your advice.

Sincerely, Jonathan Hicks

Here is her wonderful and exciting response! I appreciate her initial question, which has helped me to begin to harness my thoughts and focus for this arts festival!

Dear Jonathan, I'm not really sure what you mean by the "current environmental atmosphere". The University Gallery has organized exhibitions that activate the architecture of our exhibition spaces involving light projections and video projections with gel filters (example: spring 2007, "The Experience of Color: Ann Veronica Janssens and Diana Thater"). The most recent exhibition "Gravity" this past semester showcased 9 light projections on beds of salt by artist Miroslaw Balka. Did you happen to see it? Also, our permanent installation called "Scrim Piece" by LA artist Robert Irwin (it's installed in our north entrance) typifies light and atmosphere in current art practice. So maybe you can clarify your definition so that I have a better understanding of what you're proposing. Also, please let me know if you had a chance to see any of the artworks I mention above, and whether they fit the categories you're speaking of. Thanks, Loretta

My response back to her from this morning...!

Thank you Loretta for your wonderful response and great opening question! To be honest, I am still exploring what, specifically, I mean by the "current environmental atmosphere". As one can imagine that statement encompasses a far too broad range of topics. I will need to be more specific about that phrase in order to have a cohesive festival capable of having a strong and meaningful impact on our local and global community. When I think of our world's current state-of-being, I immediately think of the environment around us (cities, farmlands, forests, bodies of water, air, solar systems). So, when I think of our current environmental atmosphere, I think of websites like the following: Inhabitat (for its vast exploration and commentary on the invention and use of energy efficient products to conserve natural resources like oil, air, and water) Charity:Water (for its concern and care for our worlds water resources) Environmental Working Group (for its intuitive and detailed research on our worlds oil situation) Solar Power (for its ability to make tangible understanding how to harness the power of the sun) These sites, among others, inspire me to create works of art that create social commentary on our worlds current environmental atmosphere. I think of artists: Andy Goldsworthy Shai Zakai Jim Hamlyn Jason Ditmars Urs Jaeggi And many others...I have not seen any of the exhibitions you mentioned. Last year was my first year, and with a newborn baby during the first week of school, the rest of my year was plagued with catching up. The next two years, however, I plan on moving forward with bold and exciting work! The culmination of which, I hope will be this arts festival of installation artists, music, art exhibitions, and theatrical performances all focused around creating a conversation about our current environmental atmosphere. I would like to push my research for artists who would be interested in participating toward exhibiting art work related more closely with light as I am a lighting design student. The exhibitions you mentioned sound like they fit well with my dreams for this arts festival. Again, thank you so much for helping me to flesh out my seed idea with such a simple question as "what do you mean by...?". I hope I have been able to get closer to answering that question in this e-mail, and I look forward to further interaction with you! Sincerely, Jonathan Hicks

This is the beginning of what I hope will be a wonderful collaboration!

Type 1 Diabetes

I am getting ready to launch the first ever Havenworth Project! Havenworth exists to bring everyday people into contact with other everyday people. The average theater artist into contact with the average doctor, the average playwright into contact with the average construction worker (view our Mission Statement). Our first project will seek to create an artistically vibrant and eclectic theatre festival that stimulates social commentary on our evironmental atmosphere while raising funds to support research for curing Type 1 Diabetes (Juvenile).

Up until about four years ago, I didn't know Diabetes existed, that was until I met my now wife, Adrienne Hicks (I love you!). I began researching the chronic (lifelong) disease, and I have come to the conclusion that it ranks right up with some of the most horrifying diseases out there today. And, although Diabetes is controllable, the cost and final results of the disease are expensive and tragic as no cure exists. It is a disease, where in most cases, the child must live with the effects from early childhood through to their last breath at what one can only hope is as an elderly gentleman or lady.

This project is merely a dream and a seed idea, which I hope will see its final fruition near late Spring of 2011. It will take many hours of research, preparation, and constant interaction and involvement with many people from many backgrounds and stories. I hope you will become part of this tremendous endeavor, and that it will become an occasion worth remembering in the history of theatre, diabetes, and our global community.


This is my family...This project is dedicated to you Adrienne, and the other millions of children and adults challenged by this chronic disease! I love you!!!

New Havens

I added a new link list to the right. These sites are a list of links I am starting with to help build my knowledge of the arts happening today. I am hoping to build the list and do a weekly reading of a new site each week. If you have suggestions on which sites I need to know about send them my way. I am specifically interested in sites that touch on an area of art (music, theatre, dance, sculpture, performance art, etc.), but would love any suggestions.

What have you got?

Annular Solar Eclipse

On file with the AFP...


On January 26th, there will be an annular solar eclipse visible from near the Indian Ocean and western Indonesia. It should be a very exciting event. I would expect that you may be able to watch a video of the event on their website (providing they shoot it). So, if you are interested be sure to check them out...here...Here is a photo from a previous annular eclipse. They are as expected rare and amazing. I hope to see one someday :)


Details from NASA...

Havenworth Mission Statement

I wanted to start the new year off with a re-cap of the Arts Center's Mission Statement. I am still developing this statement. I believe it will strengthen the development not only of my own work, but of the work of all that get involved. I believe a dream may only be realized by constant pursuit, refinement, and support. Please, aid me in my pursuit by suggesting pros and cons to such a mission statement, benefits, challenges, and questions.



"Our society requires a Visual and Performing Arts Center that has a high impact on the local and global community, and a low impact on the local and global environment. The center exists to offer artists an opportunity to collaborate with artists, with economists, with scientists, administrators, contractors, academics, youth and more... The center will offer collaborators the opportunity to live in residence and be nurtured by society through the arts. The center is a place for artists and audiences to live in a community where they can explore the wonders of humanities creative minds and energies. The center will be a place for all art forms to come and begin a conversation, to live a conversation, and to become the conversation around the world."

Portfolio Update

Howdy folks...I wanted to let you all know that my Portfolio is completed. Check in the list of links to the right and you will find a link that takes you to my Portfolio. I will also be working on a page where you will be able to read a brief description of the production.

While you are purusing the links to the right find something you are interested in and enjoy looking at the various sites I enjoy looking at...Also, you may find a number links within my posts...please take some time to check out these links as they are most often quite intriguing.

Thanks for stopping by...

J

Spiral Jetty

Sprial Jetty...an amazing work of art...!

I was doing some research on Installation art today, and I found this blog...

First, it is a great exploration into art versus capitalism, art versus corporation, and/or historic art versus forward future. What are cities, corporations, and people willing to give up or destroy in order to make money, learn for the sake of our "future", and compromise without understanding what is being compromised.

The site also offers a myriad of links to other eco friendly sites, artists, blogs, and journals. I can't wait to utilize the site to find more artists like myself who are interested in preserving art for the sake of our "future", while creating valuable opportunities for the environment, the next generation, and society.

2008 Presidential Elections

Me when I am OLD!!!

I am registered to vote!!! This wouldn't normally be something to shout out loud about, but a few days ago I was resigned to accepting the fact that I made a mistake and would not be able to vote in this years elections. I honestly thought that you could register to vote the day of elections...my brother, Norman, informed me otherwise...Thanks Norm! I am such a dork! Lucky for me, here in Massachusetts they let you register up until Oct. 15th, unlike in California where they require registration by Oct. 4th.

Anyway, I get the chance this year to make my vote for Barack Obama count. Who are you voting for?

Installation Art

A lovely artist has come to UMASS to present a work of art entitled, "Lifelines of Connections and Continuity." The artist, Karen Dolmanisth, has an intriguing artistic viewpoint that I am very interested in seeing brought to life through this particular installation and culminating performance on Oct. 14th. She has begun to install her art, so far we have two lines with leaves strung along, extending from the top of the fine art building down to a few steps near the Isle of View (the campus pond), and a third string bare. I think this will be a lovely piece when it is complete and the sun plays on it throughout the day. If you happen to be in the neighborhood, you should come and spend a few minutes gazing across the pond while the lines play in the wind and light.

Sites to check out

Look to the right and scroll down a little...I posted a new list of sites that I will be reading for this week...enjoy!

Weekly Reading List

I have just updated my list of Weekly Havens to the right. I will be reading these folks blogs this week as much as I can, or if they are websites, then I will be learning about their work as much as I can. Each site is a link from my New Haven list of links to the right. I hope to add a few more sections to these soon, as well as make each blog its own unique outpost. Keep checking back for more developments and take a look at my Weekly Havens list...you may just find something you like.

Environment

Do you love your environment? Do you love the outdoors? I do...very much!!! I just heard, from my brother, that he is working on a project that is seeking to acquire about 100 acres of land for a recreational park. The organization is called Outdoor Encounter...if you happen to live in the Spring Hill, TN area, or if you just love the outdoors check out their site and see how you can help support their project and our planet.

Total Solar Eclipse

That was awesome! About 5 minutes before the total eclipse a massive cloud formation covered the view of the sun and moon. We almost missed it, but just 30 seconds before the total eclipse the cloud formation passed...another one started to come in, but dispersed just before it started to cover the view. Watching it on NASAtv did lessen the experience a bit from what I think those that could see it live got to experience, especially since the videographer kept changing locations, focus, light availability. I can't hold it against them too much though they do need to get a good feed, and a view of all the different things that an eclipse can do from close up and far away. In fact, I probably got to see more of this thing than those that were watching it live got to see. I can't remember what they are called right now, I will have to look them up later, but I could see little bursts of flame coming off the sun, and that was definitely cool with all the red color. Anyway, if you missed it, then you definitely missed out on something truly rare and special.

Total Solar Eclipse

NASA is running a live feed to the total solar eclipse from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. EST. Don't miss this opportunity to see the sun red, the moon black, and the amazing experience. Someday you have to see this live (with the proper eye wear of course...I found that a welding mask works wonders). I wish I could get a photo of this, I am sure lots of photographers are taking advantage of the opportunity.

Lightning

The weather is going crazy out here in Amherst, MA. Every 10 seconds we get a blast of lightning and then shortly after a sky tearing thunder clap...literally, it sounds as though somebody tore a piece of paper in half, but magnify it as if somebody just tore off a piece of the sky. I couldn't help but watch for a while, and then I thought maybe I should try to capture it with some photography...is it art?


No lightning...

This is fairly dark right? I took off the flash on my camera so that I could get a true sense of what the lightning was doing...providing I could capture the flash of lightning. It is obviously night time and to the right of the picture you can see a light glistening in the water on the road...


Lightning flash...

This was taken a few minutes later during a lightning flash...looks like daylight right? Amazing! It took a lot of pictures to get this shot, but I got it. I can't believe the world lights up like that when lightning flashes...Wow!

Did I mention that it is July...what happened to the sun? What is the weather like where you are?

Solar Eclipse

On August 1st, 2008, there will be a solar eclipse visible from only certain parts of the world, but NASA is offering a webcast from China to view the event. Mark it on your calendars! If you haven't seen one in person they are amazing. I have never seen one broadcast via the web...but, it should be pretty cool.

Going Green

I was perusing Inhabitat today for some recent attempts at creating art while supporting our environment, and as usual I was not disappointed. I came across this article and then took a look at the BIOS website. This is a very interesting project...I particularly love the architectural and sculptural presence that the structure symbolizes and offers the community that inhabits the area. I am still formulating what I think about science and its attempts to unlock the mysteries of the universe. The more I see things like this the more I am inclined to encourage and pursue these kinds of advancements. I would love to see how the theatre could design a set that allows the performers, technicians, and audience members to participate in a production that doesn't merely absorb energy. What if the set was designed to create a self generating power that helped to support the energy needs of the production? Is this being done by anybody? If so I would love to know more about it. Anyway, check out the BIOS site and the Inhabitat site, they are both really interesting and the latter is particularly intriguing and usually full of all kinds of interesting projects, information, and sites.

Sustaining our Environment

Our planet is going through some intense hardships...check out this news article on the fires in Northern California.

Or how about this news article on tornados in the Mid-West.

Or this news article from Ohio.

Where do you stand on the green initiative?

How are you helping to preserve the environement?



Or how is your industry helping to preserve the environment?

Eco-Theatre
Inhabitat
Green Theatre Initiative
Parans
The Green Theatre
Ashdenizen