June 2009 Archives

Curator Magazine Writer Featured at NYC Fringe Festival

Published on June 17, 2009 by Christy Tennant

Brian Watkins, who is a contributing writer at IAM's online publication, The Curator, is a writer and actor originally from Parker, Colorado. His plays include The Bison of Kiowa (recently seen as a staged reading at Theatre Banshee in Los Angeles), Harold and Nettie, and High Plains, which can be seen at the New York International Fringe Festival this August (www.highplainstheplay.com).

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Caleb Seeling on Rehumanizing the Enemy

Published on June 16, 2009 by Christy Tennant

IAM's Caleb Seeling, a contributing writer at Denver Faith and Family Examiner, recently wrote the following two-part article of note:

"Dr. Tiller, Twitter and Demonizing Our Enemies" (Part 1 of 2)

"Dr. Tiller and Rehumanizing Ourselves" (Part 2 of 2)

Caleb is father of four, husband of one (though his wife sometimes lobbies for a wife of her own). He brings home the tofurkey bacon by freelance editing, consulting with self-publishing authors, and literary agenting. E-mail Caleb here and be sure to visit his site.

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Mako Fujimura's Work at MoMA, Tokyo

Published on June 12, 2009 by Christy Tennant

Two works by Makoto Fujimura, "Jericho 1" (1991) and "Jericho 2" (1991), are now among the permanent collection at the National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo.

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HOME

Published on June 12, 2009 by Christy Tennant

The following information came from Artisan Initiatives:

June 5 was World Environment day and the Global launch day of the film 'HOME'.  This is the first film of it's kind to be launched on the same day to five continents in theatres on TV and also on the internet www.youtube.com/homeproject.  Award winning photographer and founding president of Goodplanet.org Yann Arthus-Bertrand has for years filmed some of the most spectacular and innovative footage of our planet that has been edited together for this film 'HOME'.

 

The main financial backer for this project is PPR who are the umbrella company for fashion brands such as Gucci, Puma, Alexander McQueen, YvesSaintLaurent and Stella McCartney. 

 

From PPR's code of business practice:

 

We intend to act as a socially responsible company in all the countries where we operate. Through our businesses, we contribute to the economic and social development of the countries where we operate but as a corporate entity we do not seek to influence or get involved in national politics.  We respect the culture of the countries where we operate. We participate in social and educational projects and in sponsoring activities in many of our countries of operation. We support initiatives taken by our companies and employees with respect to sustainable development and social solidarity. As part of this commitment, we set up SolidarCité, a non-profit organisation, to coordinate and promote such initiatives and to support the actions of our employees. The association has representatives in our companies and brands and is seeking to develop its activities abroad.

 

I then looked at the vision of SolidarCité and here is their vision:

To facilitate social and professional inclusion for people in health and social care needs: enabling the long-term unemployed, young people under age 26 without training and without jobs, homeless people or any other underprivileged person to return to employment, thanks to personalised support. By welcoming them while they are in an inclusion programme, the Brands of the Group provide them with the possibility of acquiring the expertise and life skills necessary for integration within a company.

 

A committee for ethics and social and environmental responsibility has been established to drive these values within PPR.  Their investment both financially and in staff hours into the hidden, local as well as international projects is going on as we speak and with no headlines. 

 

Whilst I know there is a million miles to go and all these groups and company's are far from perfect, I want to pay tribute to the aspirations and commitment to do the right thing. Could the fashion industry emerge as a leading voice in the pursuit of ethics and social and environmental responsibility?  Who would have thought that ten years ago?

There are gatherings in a number of cities which you can find online www.artisaninitiatives.org.

If you would like to make a donation to Artisan you can online at www.justgiving.com/aict

 

Remember to watch the film.www.youtube.com/homeproject.

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LL Barkat's Seedlings in Stone - The Gift Discussion

Published on June 11, 2009 by Christy Tennant

There was a gathering of artists and creative people at Laity Lodge in Texas recently, and author LL Barkat's blog, Seedlings in Stone, is now offering space for further discussion of the the themes covered at the gathering, particularly Lewis Hyde's book, The Gift.

Click here to follow the discussion and chime in with your own thoughts!

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an interactive hub for contemporary visual artists

Published on June 09, 2009 by Christy Tennant

The Chrysalis Seed Trust is a New Zealand-based interactive hub for contemporary visual artists. Highlights of the web site include:

• All 31 issues of the CS Arts magazine are available, free to download.Full of facinating stories, articles and reviews, this searchable series is a great contextual studies tool, or simply a place to get fresh inspiration and encouragement.
• The Art and Faith Directory, to inspire and equip an arts practice that is both contemporary and faith-based.
• The Chrysalis Seed Arts Community, an online network that allows you to connect with other like-minded artists

I especially recommend downloading CS Arts - Issue 31 - October 2008 (If you attended Encounter 09, you received this in your swag bag.) This issue includes "The CS Arts Guide to Launching an Arts Practice," a great resource on networking and the arts, as well as several great interviews.

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2009 Tonys!

Published on June 08, 2009 by Christy Tennant

The 2009 Tony Awards took place last night. Click here for the New York Times' full coverage of this exciting night for the theater world, including a complete list of nominees and winners.

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Buy Wine, Support IAM

Published on June 02, 2009 by Christy Tennant

Waters Winery has announced the release of 21 Grams, from the 2006 vintage.

Given the high demand for this exclusive 100-case bottling, the wine is offered only to those who purchased the prior year’s release, along with a select number of those who joined the mailing list in the past year.

The ethos of 21 Grams is to produce the most exceptional blend of Cabernet Sauvignon
from world-class vineyards in Washington State. The final blend must portray exquisite
balance, intensity, layered complexity and a long finish – the components of true quality. As a
blend of many Cabernet lots from across the state, it is also the essence of the vintage.

A percentage of proceeds from the sale of 21 Grams (featuring label artwork by Makoto Fujimura) will benefit International Arts Movement.

Click here to download an informational PDF and order form.

IAM is grateful to Waters Winery for their generous support.

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Theatre in the Subway

Published on June 01, 2009 by Christy Tennant

I just found out about an interesting new play that will be running in Manhattan June 4-21. "A Mysterious Way" will be performed on a subway platform, and from the description and cast list (including Fringe Outstanding Actor Winner Christopher Domig, right), it looks like it is going to be very interesting.

Anyone with a MetroCard will be able to see the show, but if you're able to make a donation to support the theatre producing it, Firebone Theatre, please do.

I'm going June 13. Hope to see you there!

About the show:

FIREBONE THEATRE COMPANY is pleased to announce their moving production of  Steven Walters’ A MYSTERIOUS WAY, directed by Steve Day. A MYSTERIOUS WAY will be performed June 4th through June 21st  on the uptown C train platform on 81st Street and the downtown J/M train platform at Chambers Street, subject to change due to the inconsistent environment of the MTA, please check firebone theatre website to confirm. Performances begin Thursday, June 4 and continue until Sunday, June 21. Opening night is Thursday, June 11 at 8pm.

Two men: a youth minister and a drifter.

Two trains: both departing from the same place, for the same place, at the exact same time.

A seemingly benign conversation between two strangers develops increasingly dubious as the true intentions of the wayward vagabond are revealed.

This dark poignant drama takes a hard look at faith, evil, and the classic conflict of Man versus God.
A MYSTERIOUS WAY plays the following schedule through Sunday, June 21:

Thursday at 8pm

Friday at 8pm

Saturday at 8pm

Sunday at 2pm

Ticket price is FREE!  The cost of your metro card will get you into the show.  To reserve a place on a  blanket, visit www.firebonetheatre.com.  Additionally, due to the ever changing nature of the MTA visit the website to confirm the exact location of the show on the date you intend to attend.

Running time: 40 minutes

A Mysterious Way was originally produced by Second Thought Theatre as part of Water Tower Theatre's Annual Out of the Loop Festival.

www.firebonetheatre.com

 

BIOGRAPHIES

STEVE DAY (Director) After earning his BA in Theatre, Steve spent time in Wales  developing a theatre troupe for teens. He returned to Raleigh, NC, to work as actor and Technical Director for Burning Coal Theatre. Steve then earned his Directing MFA from Baylor, where he assisted Horton Foote’s 50th Anniversary production of The Traveling Lady and directed the Southern premiere of Foote's The Actor. Since moving to NYC he has worked with Olivier Award nominee Stafford Arima (Ragtime, Seussical, Altar Boyz), Emmy nominee Arthur Giron (Edith Stein, Becoming Memories), and Broadway/Off-Broadway Producer, Carolyn Rossi Copeland. Directing credits include: Invisible Child (MTF), the world premiere of Deadheading Roses at the Lamb’s Little Theatre, Miguel Manara, a lyric play, for Black Friars Theatre, and a workshop of The World is Round by Armand Salacrou for the Horizon Theatre Repertory. In 2008 he produced and directed the NYC premiere of Refuge of Lies at Theatre Row. He currently is the Animation Director for Vertical Learning Curve and is a member of the Lincoln Center directing lab and the Society of American Fight Directors.

 

STEVEN WALTERS (Playwright) is the Resident Playwright, Co-Founder, and former Co-Artistic Director of Second Thought Theatre in Dallas, Texas. His plays have been produced by Second Thought Theatre, Project X, Casa Manana, the Festival of Independent Theaters, WaterTower Theatre’s Out of the Loop Festival, Baylor University, Gardner Webb University, Priority One and Blue Fish TV. In 2005, Steven was named “Best Local Playwright” by the Dallas Observer. His plays have won and been nominated for numerous Dallas/Ft. Worth Theatre Critics Forum Awards, Column Awards, and Leon Rabin Awards. Steven currently works as a staff writer for Funimation Entertainment. As an actor, Steven has performed regionally with the Dallas Theater Center, Kitchen Dog Theatre, Casa Manana, Lost Nation Theater, and the Peterborough Players. Television credits include: Friday Night Lights, Prison Break, and Case Closed. Steven currently resides in Los Angeles, CA and is represented by the Abrams Artists Agency and Imprint Entertainment.

CHRISTOPHER JOHN DOMIG (Actor) National and International tour of Dirt by Robert Schneider (Edinburgh, Berlin, London, New York, Outstanding Actor Award FringeNYC.)  Recently Uncle Vanya, One Fat Day In Babylon, The Woman and The Box Man a new play by The Company in association with Columbia University. Regional: Colorado Shakespeare Festival, WaterTower Theatre, Greenstage Seattle. International: "Der kleine Hobbit", "Lysistrata", "Der Zerrissene" Films: Depravity, Returning, Little Things, Young Dinosaurs Training: MFA from SMU, Michael Howard.

JARED HOUSEMAN (Actor) Theater credits include; The Woman, Uncle Vanya, The Tamer Tamed, Alphabet City V (NY); Scarecrow, The Great Pretenders, Halal El Mashakel, Lawyer!Lawyer!, Unpeople, Key To The Mystic Halls Of Time  (Australia). Film and TV credits include The Hard Sell and Geoffrey Bagel, All Saints, Love my way. He has also co-written, directed and acted in the films; A Snake’s Tale and Geoffrey Bagel (‘Best Foreign Film’ at the Bluegrass Independent Film Festival, USA).

FIREBONE THEATRE produces and develops works that explore immortalily (fire) and mortality (bone). Their first production was the world Premiere of the play Deadheading Roses by resident playwright Chris Cragin at The Lamb’s Little Theatre in Times Square. In 2008 they presented the North American premiere of Refuge of Lies by Ron Reed, at Theatre Row. After Mysterious Way, they will rev up for their fall production of Emily, by Chris Cragin, at Theatre Row in September, 2009.

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