1st Major Work in Progress...Thinking BIG

Initial, In-Class Inspiration...

Connecting my in-class idea with my previous work to maintain a fluid artistic journey...
           
Last Semester I completed a final reflection project for my secondary education methods course.  I chose to do a charcoal drawing as a reaction from my time spent within a middle school classroom.  As an Inupiat Eskimo, I often work with Native American symbology as a way to express myself while reinforcing who I am and where I come from.  It has been my experience that this naturally instinctive ideology can be understood by those who take the time as this symbology is based on an animistic perspective, honoring the earth, our relationship to it and all that that entails.

A Totem Pole
charcoal on paper
15x30"

What this work means:

When doing further research past my classroom experiences, I watched a TED talk about a little girl who the school recommended go to a doctor because she couldn't sit still and was disruptive. It turned out that the doctor discovered she loved to dance. Her parents pulled her from public school, put her in a dance school and over time, she became a famous ballerina, owning her own dance schools and is a multi millionaire. This occurred before the time of ADHD and being medicated to be still. Along with my own reflection this story resonated with me. 

While spending time within the public school system, I kept hearing how art is on the bottom of the totem pole.  I spun this negative metaphor into a positive by placing art within the roots, since creative energy is rooted in us all. The wolf is a symbol of teacher or pathfinder. The books are a symbol of knowledge and the heavy burden teachers carry. The chair is a symbol of confinement and has the indication of graffiti to symbolize rebellion. The weighing scales question the focus of the school systems vs. Individuality. The scales are made of rocks and a flower that a hummingbird is feeding from to indicate nurturing. The hummingbird is a symbol of love, messenger and a stopper of time. The ballerina is a symbol of dreams and rather than having arms she has eagle wings to indicate success and connection with higher realms.

Last night...
I was talking to my boyfriend about an article that I read regarding yoga in the classroom.  Apparently, some teachers have discovered that taking less than 5 minutes in-between subjects to turn off the lights and lead the students through yoga postures invigorates the students and offers numerous positive results.

At my yoga teacher training, there was a couple that had just retired after serving 20+ years in the army.  A discussion came up about whether or not to bring up any of the spiritual attributes or practices based on yoga while teaching yoga.  This couple explained that in the army, reinforcing spiritual beliefs is absolutely inappropriate as there are people who choose to worship the devil.  To reinforce satanic philosophies or bring them further to the surface could become extremely problematic.  However, they found that although the only relationship they ever had with yoga was only through the postures, in the end, they felt the positive, spiritual power. 

Students need an opportunity to move in organic ways that connect them with their bodies and enhance their freedom to self-express.  My last art project discussed classroom confinement versus individual needs and desires.  This art project will explore movement of the body and how to enhance the internal, creative drive within a confined space.     


Followed by an email to the yoga studio where I teach...


Hi Rachelle,
I wanted to throw out an idea that I have for my art class at UNR which involves yoga. When I was doing my teacher training in Costa Rica, I had this idea of creating abstract paintings by using the body through a sequence of specific poses related to the chakras. Basically, I would come up with a roughly 5-10 minute sequence based on postures specific to each chakra. I would use 7 different people to act out each sequence. The yogi or performer, would be dressed in white and have paint consistent to the color related to their chakra. The paint would be placed on a slippery surface, the same size as a yoga mat, and as the performer went through the sequence the paint would move around accordingly. There would be a video camera placed overhead so the viewer could experience the movement of the body as well as the painting in process. This video would then be installed in an exhibition through UNR as a performance piece along with the 7 abstract paintings.
I was hoping to involve The Studio as much as possible. I understand that this could be messy although I would take all precautions to leave the space as it was found. At the least I am hoping to post something about the piece to find 7 performers and of course The Studio would be noted within the statement for the piece.
Let me know what you think, and hopefully this all makes sense.
Thanks!
Ashley

Responded with:
Yes!

Researching visual aides I found an awesome video that helped me see the process in a more clear and effective way...

Some refined concepts and another email...

Good Morning!

I wanted to throw out an idea that I have for my art class at UNR which involves yoga and hoping that you might want to be involved...

When I was doing my teacher training in Costa Rica, I had this idea of creating abstract paintings by using the body through a sequence of specific poses related to the chakras. Basically, I would come up with a roughly 5-10 minute sequence based on postures specific to each chakra. I would use 7 different people to act out each sequence. The yogi or performer, would be covered in paint (wearing a black leotard) consistent to the color related to their chakra. The canvas would be the same size as a yoga mat and as the performer went through the sequence the painting would occur naturally. There would be a video camera placed overhead so the viewer could experience the movement of the body as well as the painting in process. This video would then be installed in an exhibition through UNR as a performance piece along with the 7 abstract paintings.
Rachelle has given me permission to use the studio and I'm still gathering all the materials, etc. to pull this off. I would love if you would want to be one of the performers and to just have your artistic eye available! I will provide everything but being involved is on a volunteer basis.
Let me know what you think!

Thanks :)
Ashley

So far...

I have 3 confirmed yogis/performers who have been practicing yoga for an extended period of time and have a fine art and/or performing arts background.  Still not sure if I will be one...most likely, but we will see!