When I think of the word “art,” business is far from thought.  Art is creative, unique, and experiential… business is stiff, constrained, and serious.  However, the two must make a necessary collaboration in order to make a successful career that will provide enough income and security in a career that is often plagued with uncertainty and risk.  Being an artist requires taking leaps of faith and being okay with uncertainty or being uncomfortable.

I have had a clear picture of what I want for my future for a few years now.  Although it has shifted slightly and taken a few different paths, those hiccups have revealed the importance of having multiple options.  You cannot simply say, “I want to dance!”  A thousand other people just want to dance too!  You have to be specific in your goals and always have a backup plan… even though it may not be your first choice or your dream.  In order to make my business plan I thought hard about how much I was willing to give up regarding my art.  Honestly I would not dance in a small company for my career.  I know myself too well to think I could ever be happy doing that.  If I got injured or didn’t ever get into one of the major companies I hope to get a contract with I would switch to another option- physical therapy.  My plan B is entirely different from having a career in performing, but I know it would make me happy, allow me to provide for myself, and keep me engaged.  I could also incorporate my knowledge of anatomy from dance and apply it in a different way.

My business plan is to continue majoring in dance at SMU and possibly minor in psychology or even double major in Pre-Physical Therapy.  I want to audition for some major companies my senior year and if I received a contract for the following year, I would go dance with a professional company until I retired.  I could always teach on the side if I needed extra money, which I have really enjoyed doing at a local studio for the past 2 years.  I do not want to be a dance teacher as my career, but I would not mind supplementing my income with a teaching salary.  If I didn’t dance, I would go to graduate school for physical therapy and start practicing as soon as I could.  I could find an internship over the summer possibly my junior year if I did not dance over the summer to see if that is what I would want to do with my career after dancing.

It is hard to predict my future as an artist, as a large portion of my decisions will be made by other people (directors of companies).  However, I want to be prepared for anything and I am so fortunate to go to a school where I can receive impeccable dance training and be able to make a solid plan B for myself.  Making a business plan is important and knowing what I would want to do if dance didn’t work out is something I have been thinking about for a few years now… and it’s definitely an ongoing process!

Finding Connections Among Melting Ice, Doughnuts and Underwear

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/01/arts/dance/aki-sasamotos-centripetal-run-at-the-chocolate-factory.html?ref=dance

Wow!  Aki Sasamoto’s “Centripetal Run” was performed at the Chocolate Factory and is a mixture between an instillation and performance piece.  It sounds absolutely fascinating and the movement of the entire show seems seamless and constantly intriguing.  I liked a quote from the article which said, “Ms. Sasamoto may waver between disciplines, but she knows how to commit.”  I really wish there were more instillation or performance art pieces in Dallas, or even SMU, because of the freedom it gives you to explore different mediums of art and movement.

SO- I started researching performance art on YouTube and let me just warn people that there is some odd, ODD stuff!  I found this man named Olivier Sagazan who does performance and visual art…. I would just like to share him for my artistic response because it was truly one of the weirdest, yet fascinating things I have ever seen.  I watched 3 of his videos, but this one was my favorite.  Brace yourself folks- its FREAKY!

also here are some of his visual art pieces:

David Oliver Relin, Adventurous Journalist, Dies at 49

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/03/business/media/david-oliver-relin-co-author-of-three-cups-of-tea-dies-at-49.html?ref=asia

It is truly unfortunate when a person takes their own life, and David Oliver Relin in no exception.  With all of the beautiful work he has done in his lifetime it is a true tragedy.

At the end of the article it is mentioned that Relin wrote a new book on two doctors working to cure cataract-related blindness in the developing world.  I feel very passionately about that subject, as I have had six eye surgeries in my lifetime.  I could have gone blind in one of my eyes if my parents had not taken great concern with my health.  It hurts me to know that there are families who cannot provide their children with the care they need.

For my artistic response I wanted to share an interesting idea for a gallery show.  I think it would be extremely interesting to hold a showing allowing people to be educated and experience ifferent eye disorders.  The art would allow you to see what it would be like to have certain eye conditions, such as cataracts, amblyopia, or strabismus.  You could have one side be the art these individuals with eye conditions would see and the other side be the beautiful art the majority of people get to see every day.  I think it would be an fascinating way to raise money for charities supporting opthamologists and organizations that travel to help save the vision of less fortunate individuals around the world.

1. What did I learn about Minnie’s and the community it serves?

Minnie’s opened my eyes to the fact that there are hungry people even in such affluent places as Plano, Texas.  Minnie’s works to feed all they can reach and distribute high quality foods to these individuals.  I think Minnie’s motto, “If you can’t feed them all, feed just one,” is a great example of their message and goal.

2. What is unique about Minnie’s Food Pantry?

Minnie’s Food Pantry is unique in its positive spirit, warm atmosphere, and quality.  Quality can be seen in the food, the environment, and most importantly in the people and volunteers working there.

3.  What type of awareness would I like to raise in regard to Minnie’s Food Pantry?

I would love to bring awareness to Minnie’s Food Pantry as I believe it is a unique place with people who are passionate about their work.  I would love to gather a group in the future to go volunteer or simply recommend the organization to groups looking for service work.  Sharing my personal experience with others is another way to raise awareness and spread the word about this fabulous organization.

4. What have I learned about poverty and hunger in North Dallas?

I have learned that there is a large need for places like Minnie’s Food Pantry in our own area of North Dallas.  There are hungry and impoverished people everywhere, even in such wealthy cities as Dallas.  I believe we need to spread this message to a greater number of people, as it is easy to forget there are starving people when we live in such a posh environment.

5. Why was this engagement important?

Reaching out to the community is vital to sustaining our cities and helping our people.  This experience opened my eyes to our community and I think it is important to help open other peoples’ eyes that may still be shut to the poverty and hunger going on in our own city of Dallas.

6. How can I use what I’ve learned through volunteering at the Food Bank to serve my art?

I can use my volunteer work to connect more deeply with the idea of struggle and use it to highlight the importance of teamwork and relying on others- even allowing it to strengthen my feelings of trust in another person.

7. What is the message I’d like to send out?

I would like to send out the message that we all must step outside of our comfort zone and habitual environment to experience and explore the lives of others around us.  There are people who need help and just a little of our time or effort can affect their lives in a tremendously positive way.

8. How can dance be a vehicle to catalyze social-justice and social change?

Dance can speak louder than words and connect to people on a level language is unable to reach.  Sharing dance can open up new opportunities for people, enhance a child’s experience at school, and if nothing else, bring a smile to brighten up a bad day.  I believe that dance is a powerful tool and can catalyze social-justice and change by breaking the harsh boundaries we set as a society and connect people on an equal level of movement.  It helps release emotions we may not want to verbally express and can allow us to understand each other in a way we may have doubted.  Dance gives a voice to those who may not usually get a chance to speak and dance can allow a world of new opportunities and experiences to influence someone’s life.

Let the Month of Sugar Plums Begin!

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/26/arts/dance/balanchines-nutcracker-begins-at-new-york-city-ballet.html?ref=dance

It’s that time of year again!  Nutcracker is here!… I can honestly agree with this article when I say that New York City Ballet’s Nutcracker is one of the most spectacular Nutcrackers in the world.  Sugar plums this year include beautiful principles like Maria Kowroski, Tiler Peck, and Sterling Hyltin.  All beautiful dancers!

For my artistic response I wanted to talk about a subject that plagued the ballet world in December of 2010.  Jenifer Ringer, who was cast as the Sugar Plum Fairy for some of New York City Ballet’s performances of the Nutcracker, was criticized by the press for being too overweight to play the role.  I think she looks thin and beautiful, but this really affected the way the outside world looked at a ballerina’s body.  It brought about some positive aspects by influence healthy body image, as Jenifer spoke about how she felt comfortable with her body and took those hateful articles with maturity.  Here’s an interview of her that I would like to share and that I believe is important to watch around this time of year to remind us of what happened in 2010.

H.I.V. Cases Increase in Greece

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/01/world/europe/hiv-cases-increase-in-greece.html?ref=europe&_r=0

H.I.V., or human immunodeficiency virus, is a subject of concern world wide.  However, it is continuing to increase in Greece, causing health officials to warn citizens.  Greek officials said that from 2008 to 2010 there had been 10 to 14 new cases of infection among drug users in Athens each year.  That number increased to 206 cases last year and 487 cases by October this year.

For my artistic response I wanted to share an artist who I think it doing a lot to help people with HIV and AIDS all around the world: Sir Elton John.  Not only does he wear flamboyant clothes and produce beautiful music, but he works hard to care about his foundation and help those affected by HIV and AIDs.  The Elton John AIDS Foundation’s mission statement is as follows:

“The Elton John AIDS Foundation exists to empower people infected, affected and at risk of HIV/AIDS; to alleviate their physical, emotional and financial hardship, enabling them to improve their quality of life, live with dignity and exercise self-determination.”

I wanted to share a song of his that he wrote for an 18 year old boy named Ryan White, who John was close with.  The song’s lyrics tell the story of an estranged father coming to terms with the sexuality of his gay son, who is dying of an AIDS-related illness.  I think that artists have a unique power to touch their audience and share important information… including the importance of supporting those individuals with HIV or AIDS.  Here is the song and the beautiful lyrics- enjoy

Mexican Beauty Pageant Contestant Killed in Shootout

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/27/world/americas/mexican-beauty-pageant-contestant-killed-in-shootout.html?ref=americas

This horrific story made me think about the contrast between something as grungy and evil as a gang of criminals and a gorgeous 20-year old girl.  Her death was a tragedy, whether the investigation proves she was participating in the shooting or not.

In my research of the contrast between beauty and destruction, I found a brilliant artist named Chloe Early whose pieces portray just that.  This is an excerpt from an article (http://beautifuldecay.com/2012/08/27/chloe-earlys-sublime-oil-paintings-contrast-beauty-and-destruction/) that describes her work:

“London-based artist Chloe Early works primarily in oil, creating paintings that set themes of ‘love, beauty, and innocence” against “worldly symbols of agression’ -bombs, bullets, urban development, etc. And we’re talking right up against each other. Subjects as disparate as weapons and flowers seamlessly come together  as one to create a kind of informal pattern. Missiles, engines, and guns -harsh, metallic things- spiral away from lovers and graceful figures.”

Here are a few of her incredible paintings that I found really beautiful and inspiring-

Some Funny Dancing to Help Ai Weiwei

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/23/some-funny-dancing-to-help-ai-weiwei/?ref=dance

Although Anish Kapoor, a famous sculptor from London, had funny dancing in his response video to Ai Weiwei being reprehending for a video called “Grass-Mud Horse Style,” his message was clear: the persecution, imprisonment, torture, or exiling or any person for their expression is wrong and needs to stop.  I found this message to be strong and I fully support this as not only an artist, but a fellow human being in a world where people are still being stripped of human rights.  I think Anish Kapoor and the incredible people who helped him make the video, including such incredible people as writer Hanif Kureishi, the artist Mark Wallinger, dance-world luminaries like Deborah Bull and Tamara Rojo, and institutions like MoMA, the Whitney and the New Museum, deserve a huge round of applause.  I hope this video gets more attention so that their passion for human rights can be seen and expressed in an artistic, entertaining, and relevant way to audiences.

Here is the video

For my artistic response I found this incredible poem by Michae-Angele about freedom of expression that I would like to share-

Please.
Don’t condemn me ’cause I choose 2 write past the margin lines,
That confine the mind,
To a place,
With no space,
To creatively stretch in,
A place,
With no,
Freedom of Expression…
Lifting the weight up off my shoulders,
Call it “de-compression”
Bringing the noise to the def,
Giving depth and percep-tion ,
to the blind.
I find,
Freedom in each line
On my page,
2 infinity & beyond,
Releasing me from my cage.
Don’t lift the pen from the page,
Switch modes,
Reload,
Let’s roll,
To a place where creativity is boundless,
All cynics are soundless,
Astounded when I found just,
How this,
Truth can be so heavy, yet itz poundless…
Priceless…
A crisis
Is what my current view of what this life is…
Wanna cure this disease,
of Louis Vuitton dreams…
Tryin to bust thru the seams…
In, search of the truth,
Falsifying the stories told to the misled youth..
Spawning response like a chemical reaction,
Bind intelligent minds like a magnetic attraction,
Raising people’s eyebrows,
Everyones a critic,
And all the drone’s symptoms?
Diagnosed as paralytic.
Frozen to they spots.
Real talk, it’s parasitic.
Pen don’t fail me now,
My mind just can’t be restricted…
Freedom of Expression..
free me of oppression,
suppression,
regression,
no guessin, a lesson’s to be taught..
Freedom can’t be bought,
the concept should be “re-thought”,
I’m out to prove my people’s struggle wasn’t all for naught..
Freedom of Expression,
My most treasured possession,
Vessle of trangression,
I can make my pen cry…
For when the ink runs dry,
So will the tears in my eyes..
I just pray that my honesty won’t be my demise…
For, as LONG as the truth will set me free
I will continue to speak it
and enlighten those in the dark,
through my art if they seek it..
All imperfections are perfect,
so feel free to critique it..
Please believe it..
Freedom of Expression.

Making Words Dance on Screen

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/24/arts/dance/sidi-larbi-cherkaouis-choreography-for-anna-karenina.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0&ref=dance

Over the Thanksgiving holiday I saw the incredible film “Anna Karenina” and I was so thrilled when I found this article because the movement in the movie was truly inspiring and beautiful to watch.  There is a scene that takes place at a ball and it is the first time Anna and Count Vronsky (Anna’s lover) get to touch.  It was one of the most gorgeous moments I have seen in a movie or in dance for some time and I truly mean that!  The waltz was filled with gentle brushes against the other’s arms and chest and there was a circular-ness that made the movement seamless and entrancing.  There were also beautiful wrist movements and hands gliding against one another in gentle twists and sensual touches … just truly stunning choreography.

For my artistic response I wanted to share the movie trailer so that you could see the movement and choreography… it is apparent even in the two minutes of the trailer.  I would love to one day incorporate the sweeping hands and wrists into choreography of my own, as such a simply motion touched me in a more emotional way than most full length pieces have in the past.  Bravo to Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui!

Lastly, I wanted to share this quote from the article, which I found to be really beautiful-

“‘I love watching one dancer alone onstage, but, for me, solos are always connected to a form of loneliness,’ he said. ‘When people are together, there is a union, and it can be tense, it can be romantic and dramatic and cold, but it’s about how we relate and how we look into the mirror, which is another person.’”

New Zealand’s Green Tourism Push Clashes With Realities

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/17/business/global/new-zealands-green-tourism-push-clashes-with-realities.html?ref=asia

“The Hobbit” was filmed primarily in New Zealand like Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings, sparking the country’s tourism.  However, the image of the country being “100% pure” and the worldwide image of the country’s clean, green living was not fully true, as the New Zealand Ministry for the Environment released a survey showing that more than half of the country’s freshwater recreational sites were unsafe to swim in.  This made me think of how our reality is sometimes very different than what is presented to us- whether it be from innocence or a malicious place of mistrust or lying.

This can translate to art in deception.  I think some of the best art is that which deceives our eye and sometimes our mind.  A neat deceptive form of art is 3D chalk art.  It plays with your mind- as what is presented (for instance a giant snail) is not actually what is there, which I find very interesting.  Art can play with the idea of our reality and can take people to a different place, whether it be dance or visual art.

This is an example of deceptive 3D art drawn by Julian Beever in Europe: