ART and ECOLOGY in the AMAZONS : A Call for Support
A message from Rulan Tangen, Founding Artistic Director/Choreographer of DANCING EARTH :
"THE EPIC INVITATION “ I am so honored to announce that I have been chosen from over 245 applicants from 45 countries, to join a gathering of artists, invited to the Amazonian rainforest, to meet with local community groups, environmental activists, scientists, and women’s rights advocates, to participate in expeditions, workshop exchanges, and artistic interventions. These activities are intended to share practices, listen to relevant issues, create performances on site together with community and return home to develop the shared content into performances to share these stories. The “main goal is to promote artistic creation through a constructive debate about environmental issues supported by theory, data and life experiences in the Amazon rainforest”. This is a “ multidisciplinary platform for the development of critical thinking about nature and ecology. Artists, activists, indigenous, scientists and other agents of knowledge come together to recognize and narrate nature, in an attempt to create new ways of existing and interacting with the natural environment, as well as to speculate on possible futures.” This comes at a significant moment mid-life , and I am humbled that my gifts can be of service to this great vision.
HOW THESE CREATIVE SEEDS WILL BE SHARED
This August, I am inspired to join this invite only residency drawing from lived eco-somatic research , the first iterations of my new work in progress that is in early stages of vision called “ The RITUAL of RE:MIX : an eco elegy series”.
This will be greeted with Bay Area artists to be shown in Yelamu
( San Francisco ) in September, with another version made with local community in Southern California for sharing in October, and further iterations evolving with other places and peoples.
I am the only dancer selected, and was told that these communities LOVE movement ! I am also the only English speaker of the group , so movement will indeed be the primary language of communication !
FUNDRAISING GOAL
To take the burden of hosting off of the host communities, we are being asked to fundraise for costs. The goal is 5900 by June 1 so that flights can be purchased in advance to get best rate.
- $3500.00 towards the costs of hospitality ( accommodations, $high quality locally grown/prepared food, translator, meeting space, cultural protocols etc. )
- $1400.00 for airfare
- $500.00 Travel insurance
- $500.00 for special gear for this environment
If you have capacity, I embrace your support, which is not only for me, but for inter-cultural exchange that financially benefits the host communities , and their efforts on behalf of their home environment.
MY COMMITMENT TO SHARE
If I raise more than this amount, or am able to save on any of the above items ( such as : being loaned gear, or donated frequent flier mileage ) , any additional funds will go towards the development of
RITUAL of RE:MIX eco elegy series, and additional international cultural exchange invitations including to Mexico next spring. Those who know me know of my dedication to making opportunities for others, and sharing anything that comes my way !
Many Thanks
I thank you so much for consideration of support of this invitation to the rainforest , the lungs of this planet, and I look forward to sharing about the experience !
With gratitude,
Rulan Solis Diala Tangen