Kickstarter

Hello World!

I've just received an invitation for a one month residency at the interdisciplinary art center: SERDE, in Latvia. This place specializes in “Transdisciplinary Arts, Ethnography & Cultural Heritage”.

While in residence at SERDE, I will be developing a performance rooted in local herbology, where movements will be derived from the scents of native plants. Since 2009 I have been developing a methodology where movements and sounds are generated by scents. I will research local plants that can be brewed into herbal teas, and create a ritual to serve these plants to my audience. Using the facilities offered by SERDE, I will also make some ceramics cups and utensils to serve these plants. Once this performance will have been created there will be further opportunities to perform it, and in particular in Hungary.

This piece fosters an emerging culture of Art-ivists who want to provide an alternative to the monopoly of the Agri-business complex. SERDE is the only art center in the world where herbology can be turned into art. In my practice, tea becomes a vehicle for aesthetics, ritual, and foray into local cultures.

As you may be aware, the funding situation for the arts has become dire in the United States and particularly in Illinois. There used to be a “Governor's Grant” to ensure that artists would have international opportunities, but this grant, among many others, was suspended after the Great Recession of 2008. Therefore I am turning to YOU to ensure that artists based in the United States can still show abroad. And in my particular case that I can go to SERDE where I can develop my "Poetics of Herbology."

If you pledge to contribute to this performance, I pledge to perform with you on my mind, and to bring you back something from this unique residency. Choose from the many rewards that are available, and remember: even $ 1 helps!

THANK YOU