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Full Circle

I always know I'm on the right path when things come full circle. They may not happen frequently or regularly, or even certainly, but they do happen.

Recently, I've had many events punctuate the end of one phase of my life as I get ready to embark on a new one.

 

This laser cut has been in my booth (my ex-garmentista-cum-internship-administrator ephemism for "cubicle") for 2 years. I held onto it because I thought it was interesting even though I had no idea who made it or where it came from. Today, one of my mentors, Michael X. Ryan, came by to say "good-bye" before I leave for grad school and reminisce on our days working together in SUGS. It was also my opportunity to say how much I learned from him as an instructor. He is probably one of the most influential artists with whom I have been fortunate to work as far as how I look at work, make work, and exhibit work. WOW, I DID learn a lot from him.

This drawing was done in collaboration with Ladies Ring Shout. It is profound how working with these talented women is preparing me, again, for this next phase in my life, work, and career. It marks my transition into pursuing my passion whole-heartedly--stripping away the fluff, putting on the blinders, and focusing on what is truly important to me and what truly makes me happy. This is my largest undertaking to date and even though it was a challenge, I am astounded how naturally it all came together. Special thanks to Chris Nightengale, who helped make it all happen and enlisted the help and resources of Dolan Geiman.

We just had another run through last night and yet again it left me stirred, inspired, and energized. Ladies Ring Shout is epic. It will resonate with your soul and chill you to the core. It's an experience NOT to be missed.

My last day at SAIC Co-op is August 12, 2011. I will be having a Bon Voyage Party/Tot Ziens Feestje at People Tapas Lounge that evening around 10-ish. My friend, DJ Alo, will be playing with the usual suspects, I'm sure. Then...on to the next.

JEANNE MEDINA: New collaboration with The Ladies Ring Shout

JEANNE MEDINA: New collaboration with The Ladies Ring Shout

New collaboration with The Ladies Ring Shout

This has been a very busy and enriching summer as I prepare to ship off to Grad School at Cranbrook!

I am working on a new collaboration with The Ladies Ring Shout. The performance is August 4-6, 8 p.m. at Defibrillator Performance Gallery in Wicker Park. Here is a link to the Facebook Event.

Here is the postcard, designed by yours truly:

I asked Chris Nightengale to partner up with me on the set design and video elements for the performance. His resourcefulness and ability to realize this project has been amazing. He has taught me that anything is possible and that resources abound.

This whole project has been chock-full of delightful coincidences, learning moments, and truly meaningful experiences. I'm also assisting Lindsay Obermeyer with constructing the wonderful costumes inspired by the work of Alabama Chanin. Lindsay was actually my very first Fiber and Material Studies instructor at SAIC. As I work in her studio, we chat and reminisce, share stories and ideas. It's an incredible journey into my past to realize how influential she has been on my entire work...from how I thread a needle to my interest in the body and African textiles and ethnography.

Brought together by my dearest kindred spirit, Felicia Holman, I met Meida McNeal and Abra Johnson. These women are awe-inspiring. I've never in my life met such powerful, creative, loving, and committed women. This collaboration has offered me the opportunity to look at my work through a new lens. While my work is about memory, identity, and the body, contextualizing my work around the LRS experience, memories, and expression is a true honor.

Here is a shot from our rehearsal at Defibrillator 7/15. Chris and I installed the first of the quilts (still in progress and held together with pins!)

Here are the wonderful sculptures for the installation that Chris has been working on. They are all made from reclaimed wood. We are using all reclaimed materials to create the backdrops, set elements and costuming! This is truly a GREEN production. COMPLETELY SUSTAINABLE!

This is project is also helping me formulate my ideas for Grad Thesis considering Deconstructionist theory and Sustainability as it relates to Textile, Fashion, Architecture, and the Body...but that's a whole other thing. If you want to see some of that research, check out my other blog .