Highway 30 along the Platte River in Nebraska intersects with the Mormon Trail.

Faith

Shape of Change contribution

http://www.shapeofchange.com/
Contribute your thoughts about change and join in the dialogue.

I live with the stories of times gone by--know myself by them, seek them. But I have stopped deconstructing the past. I construct the future like a tree that knows its seasons.

In this moment, in my plans for the future, I am change. 

How sensible is it to beat my head against a wall berating the things of today that bother me, harboring toxicity? The best thing I can do is to live the ways I see as change, and there are many. 

There's a constant longing. Someone once explained to me that discontent is a mechanism for change. 

I invite people into my home. I invite community in public places. 

Sometimes I am just quiet. From deep within me come guideposts, directions. Like the genetic map of an old tree. My grandmother used to say, "Stop for a moment. Be still. Listen."

I recently re-learned to say my prayers out loud. This gives them strength. 

I feel the most free in my mind. Therein is my endless opportunity for growth. I have also discovered the joy of memory and its rich layers. In this sense, gratitude and possibility provide me with limitless freedom. Joy is when what is in my heart/mind intersects with the people who I share this world with.

Our modern socialization is a powerful tide that often causes me to second guess who I am, what I am doing. That is okay too. It has me thinking about what is important. It's okay to stand alone, be weird, feel sad, to be somebody that other peole will notice, and love your friends and family who are different than you at the same time.

The Art I create, my approach in making it public, it's all part of this larger ongoing dream in my life.

Life has space for youth, spontaneity, desire. 

The great ones never cease, so I dream on. 

If you are afraid about consumption, learn how to use smart. If you are hopeful for our children, offer them something. 

"You are a beautiful sentient being with jewels for eyes." -former yoga intstructor.

Take care of your self. You are your strongest ally. You are change. 

Buffalo Gap

And I Was Like, What? and Go Slowpoke!

July 24th two pacific northwest bands intersected in Keystone, SD. And I was Like, What? the Portland, OR based band comprised of five dudes playing indie/math pop making their way east, and Go Slowpoke, a boy/girl duo from Bellingham, WA heading west.

They intersected in Keystone, SD at Sarah Riley's place, a yurt situated at the foot of the rock cliffs and pine trees so characteristic of South Dakota's Black Hills.

BBQ and music were the order of the night. Kids played, and there was the truest sense of community between the audience and the band. Griffin, a three year old kid at the show with his mom Karsi, expressed awe and wonder at his realization that music comes from people playing instruments.

Many thanks to the musicians for bringing their music to the Black Hills. It was a memorable night, and a promising start to my curatorial work in South Dakota.


Go Slowpoke on tour from Bellingham, WA performing live in Keystone, SD at Sarah Riley's place.




And I was Like, What? on tour from Portland, OR performing live in Keystone, SD at Sarah Riley's place.

Summertime BBQ & LIVE Music

Disinherited Earth film screening

Upcoming Screenings:

July 27, 7pm @ Staging Grounds, Rapid City, SD

August 27, 12:30pm @ Suzie Cappa Center for Arts, Rapid City, SD

disinherited earth is an exploration in convention, ancestry, and cultural inheritance

gianna michael filmed her journey through Lebanon and Syria, the land of her ancestors. disinherited earth is a multifaceted project created as part of a BFA final project

gianna recently relocated to Lebanon

 she is seeking grants to support the continuation of her artwork

we are collaborating on the screenings of disinherited earth

 gianna will use people's response to her film as part of the application process for grants

there are screenings at various venues

with an interest in multiple viewpoints and reaching a broad audience for the work

contact gianna: gcmichael@gmail.com

giamichael.com

contact Sarah: chelake@gmail.com

chelake.weebly.com

if you are interested in screening disinherted earth at your venue/house/wherever, let us know!

note: i am honoring giannas choice to omit capitalization and punctuation in her work