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Contact: Jayanthi Moorthy
Tel. 646.691.7360
Email: jmpixel@gmail.com
Date: 09/19/2014 |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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Art Fast 2014
Sep 25 - Oct 3 |
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Art Fast is a nine-day event for visual artists and writers that aims to rejuvenate the creative spirit through cultural mapping. The event coincides with the South-East Asian festival of Navaratri, the essence of which is giving thanks to the divine feminine within us, and unleashing one’s creativity and sharing the experience through social activities.
In this second season of Art Fast, participants will be asked to put constraints (akin to fasting) on their art practice, by completely excluding or restraining the use of tools, art elements, ideas or thoughts for nine days and seeing how their creativity flows. The fast takes place in the participant’s own studio environment. Inputs are obtained from them in the form of images, text and video and are posted on a blog every day. As they fast, they will be encouraged to participate in events around town led by other artists and performers that would complement their fasting experience. The events organized around town are mostly free of charge or are very nominally priced for the Art Fast participants. The last day of the Art Fast ends in a salon like event where the participants share their experience of the fast with other artists. |
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EVENTS AROUND TOWN ORGANIZED FOR THE ART FAST
Thu, Sep 25, 6:00 - 7.30 pm
Dandiya Raas dance workshop led by performer Minila Shah
Actors Theater Workshop
145 W 28th St, New York, NY 10001
Dandiya is a traditional folk dance form of Gujarat, India. In Dandiya Raas men and women dance in two circles, with sticks in their hands. Ms. Shah the founder of Ajna Dance Company will lead this unique workshop by teaching to dance with sticks and bringing in acontemporary touch to this traditional dance form. This event is free and open to Art Fast participants and their guests. $5 for outsiders. RSVP by Sep 23 to artfast2014@gmail.com |
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Mon, Sep 29, 7:00 - 9:00 am
Tour to see a doll installation in a Hindu temple
The Hindu Ganesha Temple
45-57 Bowne St, Flushing, NY 11355
See a huge installation of Indian dolls arranged for the Navaratri festival. This is famously called the 'Golu', which is traditionally kept, in Indian homes during these 9 days. The tour will be led by Bhuvana Moorthy, a versatile artist and a devotional singer. The tour will end in a South Indian breakfast at the temple canteen. This event is free and open to public. RSVP by Sep 27 if you want to co-ordinate meeting here. |
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Mon, Sep 29, 6:30 - 9:00 pm
Divada dance workshop led by performer Aeilushi Mistry
McCagg Gallery at Barnard College
3009 Broadway, New York, NY 10027
Divada dance is a folk dance from Gujarat, India danced with lamps during night time. Ms. Mistry, a classical and folk dancer will lead the workshop accompanied with Paulom's live percussion on traditional Indian drums, Dholak and Damaru. Due to public safety we will use battery operated lamps. This event is free for Art Fast participants and $3 for outsiders. |
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Tue, Sep 29, 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Asian inspired art workshop led by visual artist Jayanthi Moorthy
Jay’s Studio
119 Ingraham St., Studio 219
Brooklyn, NY 11237
You needn't be an artist to attend but someone who wants to explore their creative self. This couple's art workshop will be held in Ms. Moorthy's art studio. Couples will be engaged in unique and varied art projects that will be geared towards the essence of the festival. This event is open to public. Space is limited. $5 for participation. RSVP by Sep 26, 2014 to artfast2014@gmail.com |
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Wed, Oct 1, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Asian inspired art workshop led by visual artist Ann Pachner
Maxine Henryson's Studio
478 West Broadway, #3N, New York, NY
Get inspired to use your inner divine in your creative process in this workshop. Ms. Pachner will help you meditate and draw from within using simple tools and materials. This event is open only to Art Fast participants. Space is limited. $5 for participation. RSVP by Sep 26, 2014 to artfast20142@gmail.com |
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Fri, Oct 3, 6:30 - 9:00 pm
Break The Fast
A.I.R Gallery
111 Front St., #228, Brooklyn, NY 10027
Rajika Puri will consecrate the last day of the Art Fast with her performance of a Sutradhari Natyam - Dance Storytelling of the Story of Sati. Her own singing and chanting will accompany the dance. This will be followed by Art Fast participants sharing their experience of the fast and their art process. The event is open to Art Fast participants, their guests and other invitees.
Art Fast was born in an attempt to share the essence of a beautiful Hindu festival, which holds a universal meaning. Ms. Moorthy, the creator of the event says, “I want people to experience another culture through a medium/practice that they best understand and relate to - I call this ‘cultural mapping’. While devoted Hindus fast (minimize food intake) during this festival in honor of the Goddess, the participants here fast on their art practice and re-discover their creative spirit.” Many of the artists who participated in the first session of Art Fast reported having breakthroughs in their art practice. Art Fast aims to bring visual, literary and performance artists together by inspiring one another through a shared cultural experience.
Art Fast started last year as a community project for a gallery, and is open this year to all professional visual artists and writers residing in the US. The project is conceived and curated by Jayanthi Moorthy in collaboration with A.I.R gallery, Brooklyn, NY and the Indo-American Arts Council, New York, NY. To learn more visit artfast2014.tumblr.com, or call us at 646.691.7360 |
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