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“Healing in London” in/around Loonies Fest 2017
“go-cart VCE-LDN”, alias VII Tarot. Clockwise: “ShirEn on gondola” and “looking from pink curtains” masks made in 2003, disc OB-LA-DI’-OB-LA-DA’ revisited 1968-2016, “il terapeuta..1962è2017” and “Totem 2004-2008-2017” acrylic on wood 2017, textile panel in jeans and tulle. At the side, details of the ensign.
In September 2017 I will be in London, at the LOONIES FEST – Creating Healing Lunacy – in Kingsley Hall. The one day event of Saturday 9th (10am-10pm) includes Exhibitions, Performances, Poetry and a panel discussions.
The Private View for the “Survivors Stories”, a visual art group exhibition, is on Tuesday 5th (5-7pm), finissage on 19 th September. The Fest is run by FEEL (Friends of East End Loonies) and it is about mental health from the point of view of those who are often silenced by the system. Web page and full program at http://friends-of-east-end-loonies.blogspot.it/p/loonies-fest.html
Kingsley Hall Community Centre, Powis Rd, London E3 3HJ
My participations at the Fest, from the 5th to the finissage of 19th September relate to the frequentation, together with my family, to the Asylum in Gorizia (Italy) during Basaglia’s years (1962-72), ‘important imprinting’ of freedom for the courses of my art/life. The Fest offers a precious opportunity to go on with the ‘recovery tour’ started last year in Rome; a chance to immerse my autobiography in meaningful stories and places, so that to bring out something that can be shared and further developed.
The textile panel “go-cart VCE-LDN” will be shown in the Survivors Stories. It refers to the 7 th card of the Tarots, that deals with the body of the anima helping us in the human achievements. My work displays 2 gondola (masks) in place of the traditional Arcana #VII’s war-chariot. Basaglia – The Man who closed the Asylum (crf. J. Foot, Verso 2015) – was from Venice. San Clemente Asylum, closed in 1980, was also in its laguna. The disc OB-LA- DI, OB-LA-DA revisited 1968-2016 has to do with London and the Beatles and with the psychologist Letizia Comba, scholar of A. D. Laing. The painting “il terapeuta..1962è2017” included in the ensign, highlights the role of music.
“Healing in London” will be performed at the Loonies Fest on the afternoon Saturday 9th.
A panel discussion on the theme of the benefits and importance of the Arts as Healing Mediums will follow.
My action is a belated ‘thank you’ to Letizia Comba (1932-2000), psychologist in Basaglia’s team. As a teenager in difficulty, fifty years ago, I was “handed” to her care. She explored brand new ways to help me, with personal involvement/responsability, also accompaning me to Rome to attend “Bandiera Gialla” pop song radio program. Later I realized how precious have been the seeds received. I felt the task to guard them carefully and to cultivate them so that they had blossomed and fructified at the right time. Love can heal, can be a wave that caress, cuddle and support us. The action will re-create not-only- metaphorical-waves of memories in the original music composed by Dario Della Rossa. The gratitude is also for the many that donate their humanity and live through the daily practice of love, passion and freedom.
Last but not least, in and around Loonies Fest in London, I will fully explore the beauty and strenght of human relations, with old and new friend-artists, such as Dawn Redwood at aardverx. This fortnight 5-19 September will also serve for a fully immersion in U.K.’s mental health policies, comparing the state of the arts to the Italian ones.
Around the B.day month
The birthday is always a special day. In one way or another, it makes the chance to retrace the-not-only-my-time of life. Celebrating the memorable date of mid-June with relatives and/or friends is a must. Other remarkable events of art/life this months:
– in Siracusa (Sicily), from the 5th to the end of June, at the Art Gymnasium Gagini, I take part in the mailart exhibition “Io e la Bellezza” (curator Lidia Pizzo for Aretè, Centrum Latinitatis Europae) with “Masks and murals for Trinacria” and the artistbook “Revolt for Beauty” remake of “Re-vault for Goliarda Sapienza 2016 “.
– From June 17 to August 10, I participate in the “First International Biennial of Postal Art in Venice” curated by Ruggero Maggi at Palazzo Zenobio, with the collage “CorresponDANCE 2017 for the Dalai Lama and Tibet”.
– Starting with my B.day “LOOKing forwards” action begins. I will distribute the stickers with the reproduction of the portrait made to Joel Cohen, that the artist sent me from New York in sign of gratitude and in a number corresponding to the years of my life.
57 Biennale Venezia
The 10th May 2017 was a bEAUtiful day at Biennale Venezia. First step, was the not-so-ephemeral installation of the sticker of Joel Cohen with his portrait, second one, attending/being involved in David Medalla and Adam Nankervis performance for the 15th anniversary of their Mondrian Fan Club, last but not least, remembering the impromptu of January 2008 with Dorothea Fayne and Dario Della Rossa, through a snap of “Totem 2004-2008-2017” next to the “Paradise” by Bosch in Palazzo Ducale. Meeting – one way or another – old and new friends is wonderful!
Facebook open album at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1506744286011266.1073741834.100000271265514&type=1&l=fd40352fab
Two videos, currently taking part in Magmart video festival are now online at these links:
“Healing in Rome” https://youtu.be/24ICAlVTiew
“Re-act and Re-vault” https://youtu.be/UxlRExtYgA0
More to be added shortly in the “Works” section.
April
It’s Easter time in April this year! From a domestic side, main news are: the municipality calendar hanging in my kitchen displays a photo of my “Anteprima del temporale” that was selected in a previous competition; the painting “The Sticker Dude remembering the joint performance “Just life” by/with Laura Cristin in Coney Island 2012/06/14” was completed (link at http://www.artwanted.com/imageview.cfm?id=1451496 ) and Ragged Edge Press NYC will print it as a sticker. I found the time with my daughter to decorate new terracotta eggs (what a relaxing fun!). The bookmark “Sheren” takes part in “Parolamagica” exhibition (curator Rosanna Veronesi) in Milan, at the historic bookstore Malavasi in via Santa Tecla/largo Schuster (just behind Palazzo Reale) from 19 to 23 April, for the Milan Bookfair.
“Selfie to self-expression” for Saatchi
http://www.saatchigallery.com/selfie/artist.php?id=1790
On the Day of Saint Valentine, I had completed my submission to Saatchi gallery of London contest “Selfie to self-expression”. I already developed the theme in the Works section in the project “Self portrait”. This time, I had searched into the meaning of that practice, that one way or another, is keeping me busy mostly, along journeys of many kinds. Here are the titles of the photos that you can reach on the link above: “full immersion in the colour of my eyes” (Oceanarium of Valencia, 27 January 2017), “(paper) boat trip from Venice railway station” (impromptu “Isonzo S_core” on 9 October 2010), “Selfie as Sheren in Naples” (Napoli Centrale railway station on 2nd September 2016), “in the sweet heART of Florence” (in a confectionery shop window on 11 November 2011), “in the (Chinese) zodiac as wooden Horse Yang in Padua” (at the Museo del Precinema on 19 March 2014), “the LIGHT of my heart!” (as documenting the new striped curtain and the sacre of the intimacy in Bagnaria Arsa on 4 May 2012).
Re-act&Re-vault: a story for 25 November (International Day against the Violence towards Women)
Detail of “oisEAU”, acrylic on canvas and photo of the last ones to leave “La Festa dei Buchi” at Laura Cristin’s home-atelier in Bagnaria Arsa, Udine on 25 October 1998.
On 25 October 1998, at my home/atelier of Bagnaria Arsa, Udine, “La Festa dei Buchi” (The Holes’ Party) occurred. The evening Party was preceded by the Open House “Lo Spazio Violato” (The Violated Space). It all happened exactly one year before the declaration of 25 November as the Day against the Violence towards Women (ONU, 1999). As for my little event – so significant for me – it took place few months after a violation of my art&life. Later I reckoned it as a landmark for my r-evolution. Antefact: in June 1998, while I was on holiday with my family, vandals had stepped into the workroom for a sort-of-not-so-metaphorical-rape of the latest canvases: mostly selfportraits, nudes. Holes were made in correspondance with the erotic point of the body. The precision the holes were made with, declared a fine perversity. Add the fact that I had left the canvases, leaning on the wall, not on display: The (un)knowns had searched for them, taken them out and put them back after the integrations. Written (sexual) insults here and there, clearly directed to me, crowned it all. Since no money or other valuables had been stolen or damaged, it was clear that the target was me. At the discovery of such a mess, returning from Spain, I was shocked, I felt devastated, unwanted by the physical space of the house. I couldn’t even walk in the front courtyard where the vandals had come from. During the following Summer I found the energy to re-act and I re-made – in different sizes – the raped paintings. In the bigger selfportrait, my face came out very sad but some other canvases like “oisEAU” resulted even stronger than the originals.
Then I thought to arrange an event, despite the disapproval and the no helpfullness of some intimate relatives. – What a mess for a childish action! – was the ritornello. From the beginning it seemed that the silence would have been the only accepted no-action. I should have been content enough having made the report against unknowns, which I did soon after the intrusion. Later it was soon dismissed and no results, apart from the note of lawyer’s fees. Unbelievable, as a victim, I was supposed to feel ashamed and guilty! Instead, I had the insolence, the days before “The Holes’ Party”, to personally mail the invitations all around the neighbourhood. I guessed that the author/s of the violence lived not far away since the damaged paintings and busts – part of the latest research on the body, starting from my own – were never exhibited publicly before. I wanted to share the facts with the local community.
The event was well attended. Among others, a group of poets “La Fabbrica dei Sensi” gave an emotional contribution. A journalist wrote an article for the local newspaper and Rita Mascialino an essay. I felt better, supported one way or another. In the following years, I managed to continue on the track of searching into subtle violences, re-volting that energy in positive ways/works. The subsequent art – made out with paintings, busts, Tarots research and performances – perhaps can explain all the journey so far, better than words. At the times it was/is difficult. This type of wounds can produce further damages and one has to be alert, to see beyond the hypocrisy, not to be deceived by whatever a perverse goodness can hide. The balances with the persons really loving you took a hit and everyone suffers, for long time.
I did not repaired the holes – optically irrelevant -. They are still kept in the paintings, leaning on the wall, in the garage, silent but concrete witnesses of such baseness and cowardice. Though they are submerged by new canvases. From “La Festa dei Buchi” I had been rather busy with facing and mending the lacerations of the soul. I had found useful to attend places where humanity is practiced. Along the years, the spaces of the house-atelier were heal-treated by many passages and loving presences. New musics had been played and other stories had been written or painted. Now I walk head-on in the courtyard. A few years ago the culprit has candidly admitted the prank. No excuses.
It is a constant alert not to allow anyone to take advantage and to feel stronger of our weaknesses!Sincere affections will remain strengthened. It is an endless task, but rewarding.
Freedom and Dignity need constant dedication and update.
October TRIPs
October is always a special time for me: memories are revived and take new shapes and perspectives. This year, two main trips occurred: first “Re-vault sTRIP” – already printed in limited editions as a paper-triptych – was sent worldwide in the mailart “calisthenics for the soul”. Second one was the making of “Twin Mother from Udine to Capua”. It’s a portable altar on handmade paper, based on the memory of a 1994 painting dedicated to my mother, enriched with some calligraphic writing at the sides. It will be sent shortly to the Museo Provinciale Campano of Capua, for an exhibition at the Matres Matutae room. All this comes to my mind after having baked a delicious apple cake, that I sprinkled on top with the content of five sugar packets brought from Naples as a keepsake!
Re-vault for Goliarda Sapienza
Poster of “A Corpo Libero” tribute for Goliarda Sapienza in Gaeta, August 30th, 2016.
Card with details of the jeans textile bust “Re-vault”, h 75 cm, mixed tecniques, 2014-’16. Clockwise: Siren’s filling – front view with the moon and the constellation of Scorpio (Antares), uterus and anemones – dolphen, moon and starfish in the back.
On August 30th 2016, in Gaeta (Latina, Italy), from 19:30, at the Terrazza Borbonica in via Bausan 1 (better known as Punta dello Stendardo) “A Corpo Libero”, a tribute for Goliarda Sapienza will take place.
The performance “Re-vault” closes the tribute at 21:00.
Immersed in a nocturnal vault approaching the new moon, a performance for Goliarda starts off. It happens from Gaeta sea, inhabited by Sirens, and so beloved by her.
« What I have thought for you and I will discover on the shore is not a lifeless bust of Sea and Sky. This textile bust/pillow is meant to attract the traces of your memories, fleeting for the most but well evident to the heart of many. It perfumes of liberty and joy and I have named it “Re-vault”, aka Arcana XVI. Once filled with our affinities, with veils/waves along with consonant tunes, it will become a soft pillow to cuddle the revived memories of you. A sort of calisthenics for the soul will take place on August 30th, 2016, exactly twenty years after your departure from this physical world. Forever in our heARTs ».
Laura Cristin Sheren
musics by Dario Della Rossa
Link of “A Corpo Libero”: http://pinacotecagaeta.it/a-corpo-libero-tributo-a-goliarda-sapienza-1926-1996-a-cura-di-stefania-scattina/
“Ogni volta è la prima volta” by Marsilio & London Biennale
On May 13th, from 15:30 at Salone del Libro di Torino, Padiglione 1, Spazio Incontri to be precise, the book “Ogni volta è la prima volta” by Marsilio editore will be presented. The book contains the 21 finalist stories of the AVIS contest held at Pordenonelegge 2015.
“La prima volta a Roma” of mine is among them.
I had practiced and re-invented that story alive at the opening of London Biennale in Rome (May 1-2-3) at Studio.ra and Studio RO.MI with the main performance “hell-HEAL-hill” that followed a inter-action with Reynolds’ “Chemo Dragon Emergency Room”: I had drawn a Siren on her breast and chest. I had donated to Raffaella Losapio a platinum disc with the apple of OB-LA-DI, OB-LA-DA. The international meeting along the idea of David Medalla and his coordinator Adam Nankervis was wonderful, for the freedom that allows to all sort of personal ways of art/creativity.
My photo album at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1159246567427708&type=1&l=bf605a3f81
Synthesis of the performance in the video at https://youtu.be/NIkHVWJXI_o?list=LLoekfKiJTgG127yOnRU9B7g
Video with my participation in Reynolds’ performance “Chemo Dragon Emergency Room” in https://youtu.be/s_bON4LiRwA
at London Biennale opening in Rome, May 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Artist Trading Cards 41 for London Biennale opening in Rome: disc, oil on vinyl, 1968-2016, poster for performance “hell-HEAL-hill”, ph. L. Maria Mino and photo of Rome by Laura Cristin
In the first days of May I will take part in London Biennale opening in Rome, with a disc, a performance and a video.
On May 1st, from 17:00, at Studio.ra in via Platino 1 F, I will donate to Raffaella Losapio 1 of the 4 revisitated copies of the original vinyl recorded in Rome in ’68, for the 10th anniversary of her gallery; then I will participate in Reynolds’ performance “Emergency Room” by drawing a Chemo Dragon Chimera on her breast.
On May 2nd, from 17:00 at Valle della Caffarella, the main performance “hell-HEAL-hill” will take place: I will go back to my first time in Rome, in January ’68, so to make a synchronisation/syncopation in theme with this year’s LB of David Medalla.
On May 3rd, from 18:00 at Studio RO.MI in via Vetulonia, 55, the video “for Letizia Comba (1932-2000)” who was on the train with me in ’68, will be shown among the selection.
A series of ATCards with full detail of each day has been made and will be given out to LB participants and to the audience.
Full program in http://www.studiora.eu/2016/05/01/program-of-london-biennale-2016-in-rome-press-release/
