The forum you provide really is like a sweet dream come true. The structure supports both the performer and the audience by giving focus to the experience of the witness. As an audience member, having the chance to process immediately the effects of the artwork enhances what I take away. I find that even many days after the show, images from the performances inform my experience. For example, a poem about crows keeps reminding my mind’s eye as I feed the birds in the mornings, because in my own writing I was able to take a few moments immediately afterwards to connect her words to my life. As a performer, I think the effects of this forum are even more profound. In traditional performance settings, or even those structured with discussions after the show, I have often wondered how my work truly impacts the audience. Even in feedback sessions, normally responses are of an analytical nature, which tells only one side of the story of the impact of art. So often missing is real feedback from the places where art attempts to reach, the imagination and the soul and the heart; the jump to the reasoning mind can actually diminish art’s impact, in my opinion. Here, in the sharing circle after the show, I was flooded with images of earthen vessels, of desert nomads wearing fabrics that ripple in the sandy wind, of tree sisters whose branches scratch each others’ backs in the breezes. These responses fed me back truly, in the sense that I was nourished knowing that these were images that my partner and I had evoked with our work. For artists, finding financial support of any kind in these times is difficult at best; we need at least the kind of support that can come from the community’s involvement and participation. I say this because in the hearing of the audience’s responses, suddenly I realized that I had not known how much I needed this replenishment. The I.D.E.A. forum for me is a place where I can share support and nourishment both as an arts audience member and as an artist.
I.D.E.A. creates a forum where I am encouraged to find artistic expression in myself. By bringing the audience into the artistic process not just as silent observers but as active partners we share our own creative response to artistic expression. I.D.E.A. celebrates our universal experience and validates our different responses. Isn’t this at the heart of community arts?
As Director of programming of A.P.E. (Available Potential Enterprises, Ltd.) I have been happy to have had the opportunity to host I.D.E.A. this last year and to work with Christina Svane and Mary Ramsay.
This is a valuable project for artists and community alike. For artists, it provides an opportunity to show work in progress with a minimum of stress and administrative responsibility. It allows artists to show collegially and collaboratively. For the audience and community, it creates an unusual forum for witnessing and viewing new work and work in progress as well as providing a chance for direct response to such work. It affords both participant and viewer an equal share in the creative process, where both can come forward into a safe and supportive environment for interaction and interchange. I believe this is a process that both artists and audience welcome as being part of a community that fosters creativity, communication and artists alike and I hope the Arts Council recognizes this need and offers its support. A.P.E. is committed to providing continued time and space for I.D.E.A.
The swirl of creative energy at the spring equinox IDEA was palapable & infectious. IDEA is like a double-helix of creative feedback as the audience members respond to the performances nourishing performer & audience members. I left feeling reconnected & inspired & thinking: how can I turn my Gilgamesh book project into a performance?
i have been wanting to thank you for creating such a beautiful event with idea! what a wonderful concept for performance to invite the creative essence in everyone to be present as an audience member.it seems like it ignites the true meaning of performance back to the people, performance as a communal and healing event. to remind people to witness with all of their inner world impressions. thankyou. mary i felt like i didnt get a chance to tell you how much i enjoyed the piece you did with the gentleman who's name i didnt catch. i loved the idea of filing out your own questionaire, seeing your very different bodies, colors, fruits. i hope you keep working on it. [...] Mary thank you for your beautiful supportive quote for zany angels. lots of love, deep peace to you with all of your dreams and visons gently unfolding in the new year.
I just read the writings from I.D.E.A. and I’m awestruck. The writings in response to my songs are such a gift, they are so beautiful. Thank you.