What is this miniFestival?

This July 12th, Jennifer Fais will celebrate her 60th birthday. 

To mark this momentous occasion, elaborate plans are in the works for a birthday party in the form of a mini-festival held over the course of 5 days. The goal is to make/install/witness art for 60 hours (12 hours per day). To do this, we want at least 60 artists (of ALL ages) to participate. 

(Want to participate? Click here.)

It will take place at Beulahland, an idyllic private residence on 40 acres in Upstate New York. The 60 hours start on Tuesday, July 12 and wrap up on Saturday, July 16. 

Ambitious? Precisely. 

Why do we need funds?

Lanterns (as shown in the video)

On one of the evenings (depending on weather conditions), we want to release at least 60 sky lanterns (eco-friendly!) that have been hand-decorated over the course of the 60 hours. A sky lantern is meant to symbolize worries or problems floating away, which brings good luck. If you have ever released one, you know how mysteriously beautiful and captivating it is. To see 60 released would be all the more exciting. Moreover, we want biodegradable lanterns since they are safer for the environment and animals. However, they are more expensive.

Documentation (as reflected by the backer rewards)

We want to properly document the proceedings of this undertaking with one full-color book per day. In this book, there will be photos of works in various stages of development and written excerpts from poems, stories, presentations or general memorable quotes. There will be a total of 5 books (one for each day), wrapped up in a beautiful bundle. To include the more musical or sound-oriented projects, we will compile a mix CD, and to include moving images, we will assemble a DVD of various footage or films featured during the 60 Hours.

Supplies for installations (as needed)

The rest of the funds will go towards other materials and supplies (EL wire, lasers, parts for LED Throwies) needed for outdoor or indoor installations. You can view our current list of proposed projects here.

What about extra funds?

Since we want to include folks outside of our immediate circle of artists and friends in the Corning/Elmira/Bath, NY region, extra funds would go towards gas money for artists traveling more than 100 miles in order to participate.

What about multiple backer rewards?

Just do the math by adding up the values of the various rewards that you would like, pledge that amount, then write me a note listing the rewards that you want and I will make sure you get those rewards once the project is funded.

Example: You would like one book ($12) + one sky lantern ($5). Make a pledge of $17 and then contact me through kickstarter saying you want a book and lantern. We'll make it happen!

**New One-of-a-kind Reward!

Crafted by Noel Sylvester
Made from metal salvaged from the collapsed, 40 year old silo on the Beulahland property. Free-standing, 20" high, 12" wide, 3" deep, weighs about 3 lbs, tire not included.

Why should this project receive support?

These 60 Hours will help cross-pollinate and fertilize a blossoming arts community in the thick of rural Upstate New York. Yes, it is poised to be a monumental surge of creative forces, all swirling about in a fantastic exchange of ideas. These 60 hours are meant to collage into an overarching art piece in itself. A lifetime of art. A family of artists. A birthday to remember.

For more information: www.60hours.info