Note: This blog entry is dedicated to Keith Buchholz. Without his invitation into this amazing group of creatives that is Fluxus, Sewing Forgiveness may never have been born. With many thanks dear Keith.
Friday night September 5, will mark the next of many Social Practice performances titled Sewing Forgiveness. Specifically, Sewing Forgiveness: City of Chicago, will (and already has) entail a variety of sites and a variety of audiences, literally across the city of Chicago.
The piece was drawn from life; mine; fellow humans; as witness to the environment; history; @#$%&, even current events! The struggle with forgiveness many of us have had, currently have, and inevitably will have again. I consider the concepts and deep sentiment surrounding forgiveness, letting go, and moving on. The utter bewilderment at the questions… If? How? When? Why? Who even! Quite possibly, beginning with forgiving oneself. If Nelson Mandela can forgive…
Sewing Forgiveness, a Social Practice work, unfolded firstly for the Fluxus Fest of 2013. It was performed with a fellow human also struggling with forgiveness. Together the conversation began. I didn’t know that I would be performing the work outside of a couple of times throughout that four day festival of lovely absurdity. Fluxus is like that. Sometimes the works tickles your funny bone but more often the artist’s works enter your bones through your heart. Fluxus makes us pay attention.
I will aim to work backwards a bit, starting with this week to announce a performance of
Sewing Forgiveness: City of Chicago at Wicker Park Lutheran Church 1500 N. Hoyne in conjunction with First Fridays of Wicker Park. This announcement from our website:
“Arts Sanctuary (Friday, September 5th) – 7-10 p.m.
WPLC will be hosting a First Fridays series entitled “Arts Sanctuary” – a respite for the arts. September’s event is “Mercy, Unity, Restoration,” and features the social practice piece called “Sewing Forgiveness,” including art of various mediums, live jazz, and local beer. The event is free with donation proceeds funding Youth Futures, a local nonprofit cultivating restorative justice programs with young adults in Chicago.”
I would be honored to have you attend my church and our inaugural Arts Sanctuary event this Friday. If you are unable, send some good energy our way and watch for further posts as they will relate directly with
Chicago Artists Month – Crossing Borders and this work
Sewing Forgiveness: City of Chicago.
Thanks for reading and thanks for paying attention.