TONYC has poetry on the streets!

Last night,
Concrete Justice,
the acting troupe of the Theatre of the Oppressed in New YorK City,
had the grand launch party
for their kickstarter-funded book,
"Street Poetry".
Success!
I have my very own copy, as you see here.
Someone in a homeless shelter
also has a copy of this book,
thanks to my support.
Thirteen other homeless shelters
also have copies of the book,
thanks to other backers of the project.
Think about that for a moment.

Fourteen shelters of the homeless,
all reading the words and seeing the artwork
contributed by other homeless men and women.
Fourteen shelters of the homeless,
each receiving the same book as a reward
as did I and thirteen other supporters.
You see, I backed the project at the level
which would not only garner a reward for me,
but for someone less fortunate.
Much as I did for another book project.
I can't speak for the rationales of the other supporters, though it is good to know they were willing to back the project at the same level - or higher - than I did. I can only speak of my motivation. You see, I'm grateful to be able to share the lagniappe from my mother's estate with others. I know she would want me to use the money in a good way - and I think kickstarter has allowed me to be a proud supporter of the creative endeavors of talented people in this world ccommunity.
Even better, I can benefit others who don't even know about these projects.
That is definitely a win-win situation.
And, as I had said before, I'll make sure my middle brother benefits from this book, too.
Maybe others in Georgia will be interested in the book, maybe even inspired to create their own outlets for their thoughts and emotions and perspectives.
Maybe someone will feel less alone and more part of a community.
One can always hope.

sunset starlet takes flight

It's truly a "GO!"
After successfully landing Sally Kirkland (an Oscar-nominee and Golden Globe winner for Best Actress for 1987's "Anna"), as the absentee mom, "The Curse of the Sunset Starlet" took wing today! Woohoo!

Lori Precious, the director and co-writer of the script, wrote this update for me (as well as her other 73 kickstarter backers) yesterday:
We'll be on set!

Lots of last minute details to tend to-- but we will be ready by our call time Monday at 7am!

Production designer Tana is working with her team to transform our house into a set. (My kids and Steve have been totally displaced which has made the kids grouchy); Miles is drawing zombies for the character of Ryder; Sally changed her wardrobe; I'm altering the scene breakdown after rehearsals; Will, my neighbor, let us use him super clean garage for hair and make up because my house is too small; my mother-in-law Jo Erickson has not only allowed me to use her glamorous headshots from her days as a bona fide starlet (Hurrell-like photographs by Steve's dad) to be the mummified starlet but she has taken on the epic task of catering the whole shoot. No small feat feeding 30 people 2x times per day for 4 days. She has a battalion of her buddies (thank you Adrienne!) helping her and since they are all terrific cooks, the crew will be well fed.

Say a prayer to the Film Gods that all goes smoothly. You are all on this adventure with me! I'll try to update each night if I can (I wish Kickstarter didn't make it so hard to post photos---I'll post them on my website for sure after the shoot)

With gratitude,

Lori

As I do my best to keep up with her and lend support, I responded:
Wow!!! I am SOOO excited for you and everyone involved!! What a marvelous adventure you are on together, making memories AND a movie!

Faustina "Fliss" Smith

I am so excited! I really wish I could be there - though I would probably be star-stuck and in the way!

the shadow out of providence: a lovecraftical metatext

One thing leads to another, as The Fixx tells us.
That is certainly true in the case of this kickstarter project.
Literally.
I had discovered Erik Bauer's wrapping paper at the crowd-sourcing site and, as I was reading his updates, I was referred to Ezra Claverie's book in the making.
Nice, right?
So, I added my $37 to obtain a hardcover copy for myself.
Is the book about Cthulhu?
No.
Oh... then what is the draw for me?
This one book will be comprised of a play and two short stories, all inspired by H.P. Lovecraft, the man, warts and all. In particular, Ezra promises to explore Lovecraft's belief in the use of print media to portray the unknown as a source of fear and to utilize ignorance as a defense against that fear.
That should be an interesting collection, though perhaps not one for late-night reading, as it promises to include slime, the living dead, tentacles, and such.
You better believe I'll leave the light on for it!

cthulhu's house of z

How did I find myself involved in this project?
The same way I became a supporter of this one: as I have discovered, I have several friends who are fans of that mythology.
You know, the mythology of Cthulhu.
For me, my interest was kindled by a fundraiser last year. Two dear friends had opened a new venue for artists of all types to display their creative talents. After that two-night event, Cthulhu was definitely on my radar.
Or should that be "on my sonar"?
(smile)
In either case, whenever I see the name, I read on.
This kickstarter project sounds like something that would be right at home at Muse Arts Warehouse. If it were, I would certainly be there to see it!
As it is not local, I will do the next best thing. I will support it financially, along with a few other folks. BOOM BAT GESTURE is so close to their goal!
My thirty-three bucks will help push them toward that goal... and gain me a DVD of their show! Sah-weet! It'll be as close as I will be able to get to a performance art show in New York City.
Break a leg, y'all!

12:15 sunday safely landed

Woohoo!
I had received the above still back in March,
along with these others.
Filming had wrapped and
the creator of this kickstarter project wanted to share the good news.
Lookin' good, Taylor!

And here's the link to the trailer.
Then I was fortunate enough to actually watch the film on the silver screen. The Savannah College of Art And Design held the "16 x 9 Revealed" student showcase at the Trustees Theatre, on the two final days in May. Woohoo! Happy birthday to me!!!

The film was done beautifully. The transitions between the elderly veteran's narrative and the dramatic reenactments of the events on Sunday, January 20, 1945, were executed very well - bravo!
Apparently, I was not the only one impressed. When the 2012 SCADemy Awards were given, "12:15 Sunday" walked away with two of them! Best Documentary Film Undergraduate! Best Sound Design For An Undergraduate Film! Taylor, himself, was awarded as Best Director For An Undergraduate Film - making history at the school for being the first documentary director to win. Congratulations!
I am so very proud of the work done here. I am so grateful to have been able to contribute to something I believed in, a project which I could back in memory of my stepdad, Francis Ignacius Barry.
Thank you, Taylor Jenkins.

Speaking of such, here is the thank-you email I received from him:

June 3, 2012
Taylor Jenkins says:

Hello all!

This is the official Thank You email to all 12:15 Sunday Kickstarter supporters! We've finally seen this documentary through to the end! It's been a long journey with numerous challenges along the way, and I wouldn't trade it for anything else!

The film was completed just this last week, and screened at our local Senior Showcase as well as the SCAD Film and Television award ceremony. We were nominated for Best Sound Design, Best Documentary, and Best Director,...and 12:15 Sunday ended up winning each nomination! I'm humbled by how positively people are reacting to the film, so I can't wait to share it with everyone!

But it is only because of the support and contributions of everyone here that brought this film to life. So I now extend my thanks, and wish I could fully express how deeply grateful I truly am. I've loved people checking in with the project to see its progress and anticipating the film's completion. Well the wait is now over.

I will be uploading the film to a private online viewing website very soon! I'll notify everyone once the film is uploaded online for viewing!

The next step in the film's journey is sending it around to festivals for potential screenings! I feel confident for its future!

Again, thank you everyone so very much for making this film possible! And thank you for bringing John's story to life.

Sincerely,

Taylor Jenkins

Nice!
Tonight, he sent the link for the full-length film to me!
Sadly, I cannot share it here.
It's only for me and twelve other supporters of the project!
But, if you ask, I will gladly let you watch it with me. Gladly!

PINK is my guardian partridge

As one of the many rewards for backing her kickstarter project, Connie Noyes,
soon to be world-famous artist,
said she would send an autographed 4"x4" art print,
of my choice.
"Guardian Partridge"
was the one I selected,
with the colorful bird
perched on the feet of two different people.
Perhaps my selection process was colored by my taste for the grilled quail featured at a local all-hours diner. Quail, like partridges, are pretty little game fowl, n'est-ce pas?

I also have her autograph
on the catalogue for her PINK SPACE exhibit in Chicago.
I don't know
if I mentioned it or not,
but that exhibit features work
that is dear to my heart.
"Reduce, Reuse, Recycle"
has long been my mantra,
and she follows that call
with flying colors
- in shades of pink!
By "elevating the prestige of mundane materials," she literally turns trash into art, granting it a new life. She also sent me a snazzy placard for the new website. I just may turn that into a magnet for my fridge. I do like the hot pink fading to black above and below!

This is my favorite piece
from the PINK SPACE installation.
So many different textures!
Apparently,
for this art,
touching was encouraged!
With my predisposition
to running my fingers
along surfaces,
I would have had
a blast there!
My mother's admonition
to me
as a child to
"keep your hands in your pockets"
wouldn't have needed to be uttered.
Ah, to be in that Windy City for the show!
Meanwhile, let me close my eyes and see if I can feel the textures through the printed pages...

birth

Today, I received an update on this kickstarter project. Art takes a bit longer than artists tend to estimate for its completion. Especially when you are composing a film using 6000+ individual paintings. Definitely.
Erica Farrel has quite a dream baby with "Samsara"! So her original estimate of a nine-month "due date" may well be off. Then again, first human babies are usually not on time, either.
Here is her message to me and the other 36 backers:

Update #6 - For backers only
Jun 1, 2012
Update on Samsara

Hi guys,

Its been a while since i have updated the project. I have been working long and hard on Samsara for the last 5 months, and it's looking beautiful. In fact i have been a little obsessive and have redone the entire beginning half of the animation and it has set me back quite a bit. Due to other travel reasons as well i will be postponing the project deadline and prizes (since they all include the DVD) until Dec 2013. Your donations have helped me so much and have encouraged me to intensify the project, by length and quality. I hope everyone understands and again thanks for all your help!

Best, Erica Farrel

Still, I will keep in mind that art takes time. That said, I will still hope to have a Christmas gift in 2013 of the completed work. That will be quite nice!
Actually, it would be two presents: one to watch on video and one to grace my wall.
I'll keep you posted!