Wed Feb 24, 2010
http://vimeo.com/9631978
http://vimeo.com/9631589
This performance is a collaborative extension of works performed by
Catherine Tutter (MAG) and Anna Wexler (MAG) as part of Mobius Drawing
Marathon #4, January 2010. Each artist created performances in response
to the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti.
Performance Text: With healing intentions at the core of
their intent, Anna and Catherine are co-creating a ceremonial object
with reference to vessel forms used in the practice of Haitian Vodou.
These vessels may be covered and embellished with sequins, beads, and
other decorative elements, sometimes displaying patterned designs or
images of Catholic saints associated with a particular lwa (or spirit)
of Vodou. Light-reflective materials are frequently used to attract the
lwa, and binding materials, such as string or rope, may indicate a
direct transformational purpose. As part of January’s Drawing Marathon,
Catherine performed Yarns for Haiti, a durational piece powered by
individual contributions of poetry, drawings, stories, and prayers for
those who perished and those who survive, recorded on paper squares in
the spirit of Paper Prayers. Catherine spun each square into paper yarn,
splicing them all into one continuous skein. Regarded as sacred
material, this yarn is today being affixed to a treated bottle in a
ritual binding action to centralize the authentic power of each
participant’s intention for healing in Haiti. The metal Mexican
milagros displayed here will also be affixed to the bottle to reference
the bodily destruction and dismemberment resulting from collapsed
buildings and the mobilization of healing resources toward injured
survivors. Our ritual vessel also represents an ongoing collaboration
intended to invoke the spirits of the dead as we mourn and remember each
life: names that are known and unknown. It is an object of hope,
repair, and renewal.
