SHRINE - project summary for chashama 2009

"SHRINE: What Do You Worship?" is an ART INSTALLATION & PERFORMANCE.

The artist is Claire Elizabeth Barratt - director of Cilla Vee Life Arts.

She will be LIVING in a small store front gallery space for twelve days!!!

CHASHAMA GALLERY - 112, West 44th Street (between 6th Ave & Broadway) NYC

JULY 29th - August 9th

July 29, 30 & 31 will be setting up installation.
August 1 - 8 will be performance
August 9 will be tear down

SATURDAY AUGUST 8th - ALL NIGHT PEACE VIGIL
Please come & pray for peace in song, dance, music, words, drawing, painting - or any other method of praying that comes from your heart.

MUSIC SCHEDULE
(live music is mainly in the afternoons & evenings)
SAT 1st - Marianne Giosa / Matt Lavelle
SUN 2nd - Bonnie Kane
MON 3rd - Loren Dempster
TUES 4th - Tom Swafford / James Keepnews
WED 5th - Stan Stewart / Lukas Ligeti
THUR 6th - Dave Ross
FRI 7th - Zemi 17
SAT 8th - All Night Peace Vigil - Begins 8pm with Open Music Ensemble
11pm - Call & Response with Devirose
OME members:
Marcy Jellison, Manuela Le chler, Zach Leader, Marianne Giosa, Satoko Kajita, Dawoud Kringle, Stan Grzzes.

Other guest artists, connectors & documentors may include (but not limited to):
Mark Lamb, Fred Hatt, Jill Frere, Anita Bondi, Barry Kostrinsky, Nicole Pilar, Sarah Pope, Darren Chase, Pedro Jimenez, Kat Adamenko, Shio, Kaz Kuken, Arthur Eisenburg, Tony Gonzales, William Macleod, Matt Mitler...........


For more details......continue reading following blog posts:
Project description
Note from the artist
Please help
Press release

SHRINE - project description

Everybody worships something. Something they hold as utmost priority above all else.
Something they would make any sacrifice for. Something to live for.
Money, Sex, Love, Work, Relationships, Children, Body image, Power, Ambition,
Toys, Guns, Cars, Jesus, Buddha, St. Mary, Krishna, Country, Home.
What do you worship?

"SHRINE: What Do You Worship?" is a continuous ART INSTALLATION and PERFORMANCE by Claire Elizabeth Barratt.
The purpose is to bring a public awareness of spirituality & for people to examine their own faith.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

SHRINE: What Do You Worship? is a continuous performance installation piece wherein a solo performer inhabits a space for one week. During this time she continues to manipulate the installation, perform a variety of rituals and build a shrine (or altar) which audience members are then invited to augment.

Throughout this one-week period the performer does not leave the installation. Her every action, including those of bathing, eating and sleeping, is incorporated into her performance rituals.

Her persona often transitions between that of Deity and that of Supplicant.
Rituals are informed and influenced by the practices of various world religions and are original creations of the performer.
Rituals may include the use of: paint, written word, spoken word, musical instruments, singing / chanting, dance / movement, costume, natural materials, objects, candles, incense, water, food and drink.
The installation is comprised of large and small structures, natural materials, found objects and fabrics.
Incidental music may also be included, as both recorded music which is played on a CD player and operated by the performer and as live music performed by the artist and by guest musicians.

The performer builds a Shrine and audience members are invited to continue the Shrine by adding their own items onto it.
They are encouraged to bring gifts of food and drink, money, flowers, objects, written messages and any other material items.
The performer may, at any time, incorporate items from the Shrine into her rituals.

When contributing to the Shrine, audience members are challenged to consider the question “What do you worship?” They are also encouraged to examine their own daily rituals. “What are your rituals?” They are invited to write down what those are and to place an item which represents it onto the Shrine.
Audience members are urged to sincerely search themselves for their most honest response. These responses can remain anonymous.
As they leave, they are encouraged to return again with other items once they have had more time to contemplate.

There will be “connectors” present – people to help make the connection between the outside world of the street and the inside world of SHRINE, as well as written instructions available.

Before the week of inhabiting the space, the artist will take several days to build the initial installation. At the end of the week, the dismantling of the installation is assimilated into a ritual closing.


Purpose:
Everybody worships something. Something they hold as utmost priority above all else. Something they would make any sacrifice for. Something to live for.
Sometimes, what we REALLY worship is not what we feel we OUGHT to worship.
Sometimes, we are in denial over what is our true “GOD”.
Money, Sex, Love, Work, Relationships, Children, Body image, Power, Ambition, Toys, Guns, Cars, Jesus, Buddha, St. Mary, Krishna, Country, Home.

We also all have our own rituals. Certain daily activities that may not be recognized as such. But the implementation of them has become so ingrained into our lives that they have become ritual.

The intention of the Artist is to provide a benevolent atmosphere in which audience members are comfortable to search themselves.
They are welcome to enter the installation respectfully and to walk around, stand, sit, lay down, meditate, journal, draw, paint, photograph, observe and stay as long as they wish.

This project seeks to challenge individuals to search themselves for their true answer to this question:
“What do you worship?”

SHRINE - note from the artist

My dear friends,
I don't often create work with such a deliberate intentional message.
I am usually more conceptual & abstract, but this project has been brewing in my heart & mind for some time now. My personal belief is that the part of us which is "Spirit" is what we must focus on above all else. When the spiritual over-rides the physical, everything fits into place.


The world is facing financial crisis & people are becoming so wrapped up in their concerns for the immediate material future.
War is creating fear & prejudice.
I feel that people’s priorities are becoming warped as they sequester themselves, batten down the hatches & become more insular.
This is the opposite of what we, as sacred beings, know to be the way.
Our focus should be on the spiritual – both in the practical sense - of community, supporting & sharing - & in the eternal sense, as the quote goes: “We are not Earthly Beings having a spiritual experience, but Spiritual Beings having an earthly experience”!
We know our time on this planet is fleeting compared to the rest of our time in eternity. And our priorities in life need to reflect this.

As an artist, the best way for me to make some small contribution towards amending the situation is to do art!
Art can be a powerful force in raising awareness, especially public art in a heavily trafficked area.

Hence the creation of "SHRINE: What Do You worship?"

My intention is for passers by on the street to feel welcome to enter the space, to take some time to relax, to absorb the sounds & visual images of the installation & to repond in their own way.
I would love to see people finding the freedom to sit down & meditate, to journal thoughts, maybe even to draw, paint, dance or sing!
I am asking people to write down the answers to two questions:
"What Do You Worship?" .... &.... "What Are Your Rituals?"
Then to place their answers onto the Shrine, along with any items they wish to give.

I want to thank all the individuals who are supporting this project with their time, effort & talents.
Musicians playing during the week are:
Lukas Ligeti, Loren Dempster, Matt Lavelle, Bonnie Kane, David Beardsley, Dave Ross, James Keepnews, Tom Swafford, Marianne Giosa, Zemi 17, Stan Stewart & members of the Open Music Ensemble.
Other artists involved & heartfelt thank-yous go out to:
All at CHASHAMA, Mark Lamb Dance, Luan Jennings & Redeemer Arts Fellowship, Matt Mitler & Theater Dzieci, Fred Hatt, Arthur Eisenburg, Sarah Pope, Nicole Pilar, Maria Pirone, Kat Adamenko, Pepper & Contemporary Ballet Theater, Barry Kostrinsky, Kaz Kuken, Kiori Kawa, Jill Frere, Pedro Jimenez, Tony Gonzales, William Macleod, Darren Chase, David & Janet Barratt (mum & dad!), Barry Stone Bailey & many others supporting with their prayers.

SHRINE - please help for chashama 2009

THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS YOU CAN HELP WITH SHRINE...........

Contact me at: cillavee@gmail.com or call (917) 650 7321

ONE – MATERIAL NEEDS. (Please see list below)
I have a list of material needs. I am travelling from outside the city & I cannot fit everything I need in my car, so I am asking to borrow certain items or have them donated.

TWO – BE A “CONNECTOR”.
These are people who act as a connection between the outside world on the street & the inside world of “SHRINE”.
They are encouraged to use any artistic gifts in response to the installation – of dancing, drawing, painting, music, words etc & to communicate with passers by.

THREE – DOCUMENTATION.
I need people who are willing to donate their talents as photographers & videographers. The performance & installation will be constantly morphing & changing. And there will be so many unique audience responses. I want to capture as much as possible.

FOUR – ALL NIGHT PRAYER VIGIL FOR PEACE.
The last night, SATURDAY AUGUST 8th, will be an all night prayer vigil. Prayers will take place in the form of spontaneous words, music, dance, painting etc & go on through till the early hours of Sunday morning. ALL ARE WELCOME.


SHRINE – MATERIAL NEEDS - LIST

Please help by loaning or donating anything on this list.
THANK YOU SO MUCH


This list may look a little overwhelming - if so, just pick a catagory that appeals to you!

Catagories:
1 Appliances, 2 Furniture, 3 Basic Set, 4 Other Set Pieces, 5 Art Materials, 6 Tools / Hardware, 7 Music, 8 Time, 9 Nature, 10 Bathing / Grooming, 11 Eating, 12 Dressing / Accessorizing, 13 Misc


1 APPLIANCES:
Small Fridge (alternative is cooler needing fresh ice every day)
CD Player
Rice Cooker
Hair Dryer
Strip Socket
Extension Cords


2 FURNITURE:
Tables
Chairs
Mattress (small – foam?)
Mirrors
Beanbags
Cushions
Divider Panels / Screens
Small Rugs


3 BASIC SET:
Platforms
Ladders
Metal or Wooden Poles
Clip Lights (& color gels)
Chicken Wire
Bendy Wire
Plastic Sheets
Shallow Box – containers
Paper (preferably – in a big roll)
Glue Paste (for paper mache)


4 OTHER SET PIECES:
Fabrics
Net (e.g. fishing net)
Interesting Found Objects
Other construction materials (metal sheets, wood beams & panels etc)


5 ART MATERIALS:
Paints & Pigments (any kind – household, tempera, woodstain etc)
Brushes (any size & shape)
Plaster
Paper (various types)
Glue (various kinds)
Beads
Varnish / Polyurethane


6 TOOLS / HARDWARE: (hardware needs will depend upon materials available)
Hammer (& nails / tacks)
Screwdriver (& screws)
Electric Drill (with screw bit)
Electric Saw
Paint Roller
Plaster Trowel (? scraper thingey)
Wire Cutters


7 MUSIC:
CDs of Spiritual sounding Music
Percussion Instruments, Chimes, Gongs etc


8 TIME:
Calendars
Clocks
Hour Glasses
Other Time-measuring devices


9 NATURE:
Plants (potted)
Fresh Cut Flowers
Sticks / Branches
Driftwood
Leaves
Rocks
Sand
Bones
Fur
Shells


10 BATHING / GROOMING:
Metal Wash Tub
Towels
Sponge
Loofa
Scented soaps, lotions, shampoo etc


11 EATING:
UTENSILS
Cup
Plate
Bowl
Glasses (water, wine etc)
Chopping Board
Cutting Knife
Knife
Fork
Spoon
Teaspoon
Serving Spoon
Chopstix
Teapot
Tea Strainer
Bottle Opener / Corkscrew
FOOD & DRINK
(Any healthy, basic foods / drinks that don't need too much preparation & don't produce much trash.)
Rice (Japanese white)
Nuts (preferably raw – cashews, almonds, pecans, brazils etc)
Dried Fruits
Fresh Fruits
Raw Vegetables
Crackers / Crispbreads / Pita (preferably whole grains)
Dried Meats
Honey
Soy Sauce
Teas (variety)
Coffee (preferably whole bean)
Juices
Milk (whole, soy)
Wine
Beer
Liquor
Mixers / Sodas


12 DRESSING / ACCESSORIZING:
Interesting costume pieces – (perhaps with an ethnic reference)


13 MISC:
Books (any kind – big is better)
Toys (of the childhood memory evoking kind)
Candles (Botanica style – inside glass)
Incense (& enclosed holders)
Lighters
Large Mixing Bowls

SHRINE - press release for chashama 2009

CALENDAR / ARTICLE / REVIEW

ARTS: PERFORMANCE / INSTALLATION

CONTACT:
Chashama - Janusz Jaworski janusz@chashama.org (212) 391 8151 x26 – chashama.org
Cilla Vee Life Arts – Claire Elizabeth Barratt cillavee@gmail.com (917) 650 7321 – cillavee.com

WHO: Cilla Vee Life Arts
WHAT: SHRINE: What Do You Worship?
WHERE: Chashama Windows gallery, 112, West 44th Street (between 6th Ave & Broadway)
WHEN: August 1st - 9th / Twenty-four hours
HOW MUCH: FREE – donations accepted

Everybody worships something. Something they hold as utmost priority above all else.
Something they would make any sacrifice for. Something to live for.
Money, Sex, Love, Work, Relationships, Children, Body image, Power, Ambition,
Toys, Guns, Cars, Jesus, Buddha, St. Mary, Krishna, Country, Home.
What do you worship?

SHRINE: What Do You Worship? is a continuous performance installation piece wherein solo artist / performer Claire Elizabeth Barratt builds an installation, which she then inhabits for one week. During this time she continues to manipulate the installation, perform a variety of rituals and build a shrine which audience members are then invited to augment.

Throughout this one-week period the performer does not leave the installation. Her every action, including those of bathing, dressing, eating and sleeping, is incorporated into her performance – Thus emphasizing the ritual found in every day life.
Other rituals are informed and influenced by the practices of various world religions and are original creations of the performer.

Audience members are invited to continue the Shrine by adding their own items onto it. They are encouraged to bring gifts of food and drink, money, flowers, objects, written messages and any other material items.

When contributing to the Shrine, audience members are challenged to consider the question “What do you worship?” They are also encouraged to examine their own daily rituals; “What are your rituals?” They are invited to write down what those are and to place something which represents them onto the Shrine.

Throughout the week, there will be a series of guest musicians.
On the closing night – Saturday 8th – there will be an all-night vigil of prayers for peace.

The intention of the Artist is to provide a benevolent atmosphere in which audience members are comfortable to search themselves.
They are welcome to enter the installation respectfully and to walk around, stand, sit, lay down, meditate, journal, draw, paint, photograph, observe and stay as long as they wish.

This project seeks to challenge individuals to search themselves for their true answer to this question:
“What do you worship?”

Artist biography:

Claire Elizabeth Barratt is the director of Cilla Vee Life Arts, an inter-disciplinary arts organization.
She has a dance and musical theater background from the British institutions of the Royal Academy of Dance, Associated Board of Music, The Laban Centre for Movement and Dance and The London Studio Centre.
She has presented work in such venues as The New York Botanical Gardens, PS122, Art Basel – Miami and the Black Mountain College Museum + Art Center, NC.
She specializes in performance installation and is influenced by artists such as Meredith Monk and Marina Abramovic for their unique creative concepts.

www.cillavee.com