I am always being forwarded "inspiration" pieces from friends of mine. Most notably Mike Andrle. I tend to be a do-it-yourself kind of guy, so self-help books rarely hold my interest. I'll admit that it is my own arrogance that figures "I can do this all by myself!" But this is not to say that there aren't both peers and genius that continue to inspire me.
One was a review of a conversation between both Martha Graham and Agnes deMille. Both were true visionaries, miles ahead of their era who burst more than enough glass ceilings. The story goes that deMille had opened doors of opportunity with her landmark staging of Oklahoma! - which redefined American Musical Theater. All this despite a legacy of such works as Rodeo that had failed to find approval. She found the instant fame "unexpected, flamboyant and bewildering." This sent her into a cycle of doubt - "I had a burning desire to be excellent, but no faith that I could be."
Graham responded back with this profound statement. “There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is
translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you
in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will
never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world
will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.”
Because of both my Virgo tendencies and my perfection nature as an artist, I find myself with some of these very same conflicts. Granted on a much smaller scale than these two! But often torn between reinventing myself, staying true to myself; and knowing the fine line between the two. Moving forward to new work at this point in my age - some of the same old demons will naturally resurface. But I must remind myself to rely on my gut feeling and instinct which are genuine and have gotten me to where I am today. It's just a matter of trust with determination.
Most have heard by now that tomorrow is my last day working at YPC. Many mixed feelings and the type of "change" that breeds trepidation but will likely yield some freedom and new possibilities. I have been to numerous conferences and panels about the downward spiral of the nonprofit world and I have to say I feel the pain of it mightily. All these great arts organizations that planted seeds in the 70s and 80s are now hitting their mid-life crises and the path to success has been far less frequent than hoped.
This excellent article in the Atlantic by Jonathan Timm sums it up far better than I am able. It is called the Plight of the Overworked Nonprofit Employee. Just as in the 1%, there is a huge disparity gap between the arts organizations that have become "institutions" and the other 90% who run on grunt work, will power and a worker bee hive of employees. It also alludes to an ironic gap between the core values of these groups vs. the way their own staffs are treated. It then points to how this leads to bizarre and unproductive decisions. This will be my 2nd job that has left me with mixed feelings. It becomes about treading water than actually moving forward. And it is ALWAYS at the sacrifice of the very manpower that is at the front of said organization. One conference last year called it the Hunger Games of Non Profits.
Atlantic article
Give the article a read if you so desire. For me it is nothing that surprises or enlightens. Just that once you get OFF the merry-go-round and acclimate from the dizziness, your vision becomes a bit clearer with hindsight. I'm going to think very wisely before I jump back on board that ride.
Summer is always a time of both full days and nights. Much planned and even more that will be missed. The Olympics are on my radar but I have not given them much thought as they loom upon us. I do know they are being hosted in Brazil. And I am also aware of some of the chaos that is precluding them. Political impeachments. Building and transit infrastructures that are not complete or on track to be finished in time.
As I see each Olympic event dazzle and impress more than the last, I wonder if maybe we have set the bar so high that it becomes impossible to achieve. I am not sure if this is just the result of technology and culture. Or an unnecessary competition from one country to the next to out-do the former host. I know Minneapolis is gearing up for a Super Bowl in 2 years and already the buzz of hotel and event construction is at a fever pitch. And this for a single Day event. So I have no idea how Rio 2016 will stack up.
BUT, I have seen plans for the Torch and what they are calling the Solar City Tower. It is built on an island overlooking the city and is a beacon much like the Statue of Liberty in the harbor.
- It is over 100 meters tall.
- It is a waterfall.
- It is an observation tower.
- It is solar powered and will generate electricity for the entire Olympic Village.
- It is a bungee jumping tower.
- It has an amphitheater and an auditorium.
It is also beyond amazing. Just the views itself practically make it the next world wonder. Look at the pictures yourself.
Evryone should be well aware that I am person intrigued by problem solving. of course the usual crossword, but even more so geocaching, treasure hunts, jigsaw puzzles and anything inquisitive. The mystery becomes almost an addiction to solve.
So I was tipped off to this new crowdfunding for a new item called Mystery Cases by a company called Armchair Detective. I myself like something that is physical. But this is for those that like to sit and ponder a solver. It is kind of like a Russian doll with a box inside a box inside a box. And you keep using clues and riddles that will eventually take you further into the Pandora's Box. No idea how much they would cost, but sounds like they could be a winter diversion.
I know back in my prime of dancing days, I always wanted the perfect dancer's body. The kind that was lithe but not beefcake. The perfect combination of muscle tone with line. I can't say I ever got there, but I did have a few assets that I was proud of for all the time at the gym and on stage. Over years, I was always fascinated by those coffee table books that brought dance to the forefront. They were different than the normal male erotica publications that leaned more towards the gay rags! It wasn't objectification that I liked, but the convergence of both art and the beauty of the human condition.
So it is with a tinge of joy that I see this new photo exhibit by Nir Arieli and entitled Flocks. Instead of motion and artistry, it looks at these same bodies in a sense of rest. A still life of sorts. He notes that "dancers are like a special species" in the way they work as a community in a company with a shared vocabulary as well as a kinetic grace. It looks at dancers from Nederlands Dans Theater II, Batsheva Dance Company, Cedar Lake
Contemporary Ballet, Shen Wei Dance Arts, Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal,
Ballet Hispanico, Pontus Lidberg Dance, Ailey II, and Les Ballets
Trockadero de Monte Carlo. Check out a link to the images below. On display in New York at the Daniel Cooney Fine Arts Ctr.
Nir Ariele
