Anonymous
Bill T. Jones
Prompt 1: We want you to take a few minutes and write a letter to your future self. To you, one year from today. Write about everything that is happening and how you are feeling. Write what alarms you and what consoles you.
Prompt 2: Bill T. Jones explores many themes. The ones mentioned are of the individual self and community building. With what is happening in the world these days, with Black Lives Matter, Women's Rights, ICE, and other things; Invent a new way in which we can all connect as a community. What does it look like? What does it feel like? (Note this can be something that can exist in our universe or a sci-fi fantasy world)
Nick Cave
Prompt 1: You might want to put on some music to help you freely spin. Finally, put the essential object somewhere in the room where you can still see it while you spin. Now spin on and in your own time. Spin a few times and make sure you take time to spin in both directions. You are altering your mind in this process. Next, we’re going to take a photo while we spin. The camera can be facing in (like a selfie) or facing out. You can even try to photograph your essential object. Whenever you feel complete and done spinning, take a final selfie / photo of yourself.
Prompt 2: Nick Cave is an artist who creates spaces where a person can experience something magical and other worldly. Nick says, “How can I bring us back to that dream state, that space of imagination. Because I think we’re at a time where we don’t really dream anymore.” With that in mind, if I could give you 3 radical wishes, what would it be?
Ann Hamilton
Prompt 1: We want to start with some deep listening. Take a minute or so and just listen to the sound of the space you’re in. What do you hear? Traffic? Your refrigerator? Your family moving around your living space? Your own breathing. In the spirit of NYC's 7pm Applause for Essential Workers, and Ann Hamilton's quote "hearing is how we touch at a distance", we invite you to compose a new communal sound-based ritual for a new time of day and community. You can use basic materials around your house or just your body or breath to do this.
Prompt 2: Ann Hamilton said, ““hearing is how we touch at a distance.” Make something precious for someone else and share it with them.
Precious is what we create and make
In this world where everything leaves or fades
The things that are precious are held within yourself
Locked in the deepest corners and hidden like buried treasure
Treasure your emotions and memories but never objects
William Kentridge
Prompt 1, choose one of the one below:
Listening to music: William Kentridge often works with music. Is there a song that keeps popping into your head? Find it now and play it, or sing it to yourself. Listen and notice what comes up in your mind. That’s it! Whatever pops into your mind, let it come, and let it go.
Body Scan: Ask yourself: What is happening in my body right now? Am I tense? Or relaxed? Am I struggling with anything emotionally? Might it be connected with what my body is doing? Do I want to run, sing, scream, eat, curl up in a ball and sleep? Free associate. Try not to define anything or ask yourself why. Just listen and notice what comes up all by itself.
Allow Art to create itself: While continuing to body scan and listen, look down at the materials you collected earlier and allow whatever comes up in your mind to flow through your arms, move your hands and transform your paper. You might have an impulse to write on it, draw on it, tear it, dip it in water, cut it, fold it, etc. Whatever it is , allow it to be expressed, without any planning. Almost as if you were watching your hands being moved by something else.
Prompt 2: William Kentrdige uses different materials and art forms to talk about complex topics, such as the apartheid. What is one issue or perspective happening in the world that you would like to shine some extra light on?
