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| An extra eye! ... Asheville Fringe Festival "Follows No Rules" award. Photo: CEB Selfie |
Cilla Vee Life Arts – REPORT 2020
A Year of Pandemic Performance
Greetings!
Thank you for tuning into this year’s Cilla Vee Life Arts report.
January 2020 began with quite a bang!
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| From "RARARA dadada" at the Asheville Fringe Festival. Photo by Jennifer Bennett |
Asheville Fringe Festival
By far the largest number of artists participating in a single CVLA performance to date (34) and in probably the most crowded venue.
“RARARA dadada” was a 3-hour minefield of spontaneous artistic occurrences! Held at the Sly Grog Lounge as part of the Asheville Fringe Festival, it featured a myriad of Asheville’s finest performance and sound artists – plus guests from Roanoke Virginia’s Marginal Arts scene.
AND … we won the AFF “Follows No Rules” award!
Swannatopia
The previous weekend, Cilla Vee made an appearance at another well-attended happening – Swannatopia. This was an enterprising pop-up gallery group show produced by Glowspace Arts. It was held in an old 1940s grocery store space in Swannanoa, NC. The (loose) theme was ‘texting’ and I created an interactive performance installation “I Sent You a Text! … did you get it?” wherein those were the only words out of my mouth for the whole 2 hours.
I Sent You a TextVIDEO – YouTube link:
(Video capture by Jeff Davis)
Lockdown
After the mayhem and cacophony of these two packed venues, the sense of community a heaving mass, walls bulging at the seams …
pandemic lockdown was a startling and cruel contrast.
Gone … was a whole season of bookings:
The Asheville Art Museum Gala, the New Dance Festival at the BeBe Theatre, the Black Mountain College Museum’s {Re} Happening on Lake Eden, a summer tour – North East USA and Canada, The Watermill Center.
Gone.
Okay, well fine … Actually there’s plenty of other things to be getting on with. Building an improved administrative infrastructure with our new assistant Chloe, working on house renovations for the new community art center …
"VIGIL: Prayers of Healing for the Living and the Dead" - From final performance. Photo by Fred Hatt
Enliven NYC
And then …
Late June – suddenly …
All systems GO – one week to prepare – an Enliven NYC grant award funded by the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts. A month-long residency through July at Chashama’s Brooklyn Bridge Park waterfront gallery.
"VIGIL - Day 6 Handwashing" This picture shows a nice reflection from the window of the park and chance audience members! Photo by Robyn Thomas
When the people can’t go to see performing arts because venues are shut down, how do you SAFELY bring performing arts to the people?
Through a storefront window – that’s how!
"VIGIL: Prayers of Healing for the Living and the Dead" From final performance. Photo by Juliette Buffard Scalabre
Enliven NYC sponsored seven artists throughout the summer of 2020 to present performative installations in different storefront spaces around New York City.
"VIGIL - Day 9 Touch". Photo by Fred Hatt
Mine was a 30-day VIGIL “Prayers of Healing for the Living and the Dead”
I have created a day-by-day report of this incredibly intense time that I would like to share with you:
Virtually There
But alas … “no rest for the weary” (or “the wicked” – whichever version of the saying you prefer)
Immediately following the final VIGIL performance – an all night de-install, hit the road home by morning, car breaks down in Maryland, tow truck the rest of the way back to Asheville …
Back in time to get on-line for the Sacred Dance Guild festival ‘Virtually There’ via Zoom, where I had my first virtual workshop facilitation experience. “Wondering Hands” – a motion sculpture movement meditation on the hands while exploring the Zoom ‘box’ as a spatial medium.
(I was also given the great honor of being the Sacred Dance Guild featured member of the month)
"Wondering Hands" Zoom workshop for the Sacred Dance Guild Festival.
Sacred DanceGuild – 2020 Festival page link:
Collaborations and Virtual Possibilities
Throughout this pandemic year, artists and creatives have continuously sought ways to push through the barriers of lockdown. They have utilized virtual platforms to the utmost potential, created new recording projects or held outdoor, covid-precautious events.
"Muddying The Waters" with Billy Zanski and Linda Go at Asheville Art Museum. Video still
The Asheville Art Museum Gala was finally possible via livestream and a beautiful collaboration developed between Cilla Vee and sound healing artists Billy Zanski and Linda Go in response to the museum’s “Muddying The Waters” clay exhibit.
Muddying TheWaters VIDEO – Youtube link:
Cilla Vee performed in the persona “Go Go Dancer” for the band ‘Peacock Party’ at the French Broad Outfitters outdoor concert series on Hominy Creek – Asheville, NC.
Peacock Party VIDEO– Youtube link:
A video of Cilla Vee by Fred Hatt (“VIGIL: Day 22 – Red”) was included in ‘The (Not So) Short Film Festival’ – a compilation of works by Transart Institute faculty and alumni curated by Jean Marie Casbarian. (Currently hosted by Ely Center for Contemporary Art)
The (Not So)Short Film Festival – Ely Center website page link:
"VIGIL - Day 22 RED" Video in 'The (Not So) Short Film Festival. Photo by Fred Hatt
I’ve also had the opportunity to work with some of my closest and dearest on a number of video projects:
The ‘Asphalt Drawing Series’ is a project of Colombian artist Martha Skinner. She creates these fascinating birds-eye-view, time-lapse videos – while at the same time causing a public street performance intervention.
I joined her in creating one of these this autumn in downtown Marshall, NC.
Working on an 'Asphalt Drawing' project with Martha Skinner. Photo by Martha Skinner
Asphalt DrawingRED VIDEO – Youtube link:
(Video concept and capture by Martha Skinner. Set to music by Kimathi Moore. Such a charming piece - you must watch it!)
Asphalt DrawingRED (behind-the-scenes) VIDEO – Youtube link:
(A VERY entertaining behind-the-scenes capture by our friend Tony Torn - featuring Lee Ann Brown and a number of Marshall town residents!)
Asphalt DrawingRED PHOTOS – Flickr link:
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| "Past and Future" (Golden Queen section) Project with Elisa Faires. Video still |
My long-time friend, musician/composer/performing artist Elisa Faires invited me to join her in some immersive video projects – on location in the Swannanoa River (with filmmaker Hannah Sommer) and also at her November/December residency in Asheville’s Revolve Gallery – where we collaborated on her project “Past and Future”.
Past and Future VIDEO– Youtube link:
(Short video piece by Elisa Faires using some of the footage from our collaboration set to music by Ivan Seng. "Past and Future" symbolizes a psychological and spiritual journey of self-healing through archetypes, alchemy and magic.)
Past and FuturePHOTOS – Flickr link:
"Past and Future" (Lost Child section). Project with Elisa Faires. Photo by Elisa Faires
Re-Cultivating Compassion
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| Re-Cultivatng the tender shoots of compassion. Photo by Robyn Thomas |
A new sister project of CVLA has been in the works over the past year.
Together with my RCC partner Robyn Thomas; we have metomorphosized what was to be a local Providence, RI real space/time symposium into a global, virtual, spiritual community!
‘Re-Cultivating Compassion’ is a platform for creatives addressing themes of compassion in their practice. Although still in its infancy, RCC has already garnered some truly impressive individuals and we anticipate watching this community grow and flourish in the coming months and years.
Re-CultivatingCompassion Blog site Link:
Re-CultivatingCompassion on Instagram:
Re-CultivatingCompassion on Facebook:
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| Kik Williams' article "Pandemic Laughter Yoga" is one of the posts you will find on the re-Cultivating Compassion site. |
The Center for Connection and Collaboration
I mentioned earlier about “house renovations” and a “community center”.
My vision is to convert my humble abode in the lovely mountain town of Asheville, NC into a small, intimate venue for the purpose of creative connections.
CCC-AVL (or Triple C for short) is really a continuation of the community already established in the home by my family since 1992. Music salons, garage concerts, garden parties, devotional gatherings. My intention is to better equip the space to facilitate these events.
Work Party on the CCC front porch! Thank you Martha Skinner, Roger Munch and Andy Kelley.
… More on RCC and the CCC to come. We’ll keep you posted.
Mail Art Exhibition
$1 Mail Art from Adam Larsen. Photo by Chloe Harnett-Hargrove
And finally …
Our first ‘$1 Fundraiser Mail Art Exhibition’
CVLA Admin. Chloe Harnett-Hargrove - counting dollars and sorting through mail art.
Every spring since 2006, CVLA has been running the One Dollar Fundraiser. Occasionally contributors will enclose a creative offering – such as a poem, drawing or other art object – and mail it along with their dollar(s)
So this year we decided to make it a THING!
Our virtual ‘$1 Fundraiser Mail Art Exhibition’ can be viewed here:
CVLA $1Fundraiser Mail Art Exhibition 2020 PHOTOS – Flickr link:
("Angel of Light - on the Darkest Night". The Angel of Light holds vigil on the Winter Solstice. We would also like to thank all of our supporting Angels!)
With deep and humble gratitude, we would like to acknowledge all who supported Cilla Vee Life Arts this year – 2020:
CVLA 2020 THANK YOU LIST
One Dollar Fundraiser Mail Art Exhibition Artists
Greg Congleton, Knoxville TN USA
Carol Zakaluk, Bronx NY USA
Sam Attrep-Wallace, Flagstaff AZ USA
Chloe Harnett-Hargrove, Asheville NC USA
Linda Mary Montano, Saugerties NY USA
Linda Larsen, Asheville NC USA
Adam Larsen, Asheville NC USA
Coco Palmer Dolce, Asheville NC USA
Fred Hatt, Brooklyn NY USA
C. Mehrl Bennett, Columbus OH USA
Gerry & George, Almonte, ON CAN
Lynn Bernatsky, Candler NC USA
Cree McCree, New Orleans LA USA
Julie Van Ridge, Asheville NC USA
Emma Parnam, Black Mountain NC USA
Giles Collard, Asheville NC USA
Minerva Durham, New York NY USA
Donald Miller, New Orleans LA USA
Jenni Cockrell, Asheville NC USA
Kaz Kuken, Asahikawa JAP
James Bailey, Toronto ON CAN
Financial Supporters
Robin Barratt
Alan and Debbie Wood
Brenda Flanagan
John Frey (in loving memory of Kathleen Frey)
Anita Durst
Fundraiser Contributors
Pat and Paul Jamie
Roger Munch
Diana and Richard Brewster
Y Sok
Janet Robbins
Rob Wallace and Kara Attrep
Joe Burgio
Deb Pollard and Marty Kaz
John Roche
Andrea Spaziani
Russ and Lesley Howell
Marc Dale
Alisha Earo
Cella
Andrew Dewar
Laila Alamiri
Elisa Faires
Linda and Ron Larsen
Adam Larsen
Coco and Tom Palmer-Dolce
C. Mehrl and John Bennett
Emma and Nick Parnam
Susan and Giles Collard
Greg Congleton
Carol Zakaluk
Fred Hatt
Gerry & George
Lynn Bernatsky
Cree McCree and Donald Miller
Julie Van Ridge
Jenni Cockrell
Kaz Kuken
James Bailey
Minerva Durham
Linda Mary Montano
RARARA dadada Performers
Martha Skinner
Chloe Harnett-Hargrove
Janet Robbins
Andre Cholmondeley (We Are Ants To Them)
Walker Farrell
Valeria Watson
1frog9
Amy (Eithne) Hamilton
Liz Lang
Elisa Faires
Chandra Shukla
Brandon Quinn
Jeff Davis
Geo Lynx
Edwin Salas
Dr. Wayne Kirby
Leslee Reiter
Madalyn Wofford
Byron Brown
Giles Collard
Emmalee Hunnicutt
Ben Hjertmann
Nina LaFerla
Sharon Cooper
Jim Julien
Mike Anderserson
Wayne Llywelyn
Wilheim Katastrof
Olchar Lindsann
Mr Thursday
Cambria Storms
(some dropped out, others dropped in – but that’s pretty much the cast!)
Enliven NYC Residency
Chashama
Anita Durst
Hayley Ferber
Juliette Buffard Scalabre
Rachel Cohen
Bryn Pennetti
Fred Hatt
Kayoko Nakajima
Hisayasu Takashio
Michael Evans
Susan Hefner
Andrea Haenggi
Cheryl Eugenia
Chad Becker
Elisa Faires
Trish Faires
Chandra Shukla
Liz Lang
Robyn Thomas
Enno Fritsch
Janet Robbins
Stina Anderson
Jocelyn Reese
Judy Canestrelli
Rev. Kate Jamie
Marianne Giosa
Daniel Carter
Linda Mary Montano
Keigos Coffee
And all collaborators, contributors, supporters, work party participants and friends – including:
Asheville Art Museum
Circle Modern Dance
Sacred Dance Guild
Roger Munch
Kristen Boddy
Devon Fero
Billy Zanski (Skinny Beats)
Linda Go
Kimathi Moore
Ben Brill
Richard and Diana Brewster
Andy Kelley
Meg Mulhearn
David James Lynch
Louly Peacock
Martha Skinner
Liz Lang
Elisa Faires
Wendy Morrell
Debbie Danbrook
David Gwaltney
Robert and Carey Baldwin
Helen the cat lady
Additional extremely very special thanks to:
David Barratt (Dad)
Chloe Harnett-Hargrove
Robyn Thomas
Geo Lynx
… I do hope I haven’t missed anybody!
With much love and gratitude,
Claire
From "Asphalt Drawings" with Martha Skinner. Photo by Martha Skinner
Cilla Vee Life Arts
Claire Elizabeth Barratt – Director
Chloe Harnett-Hargrove - Administration
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