re·search
ˈrēˌsərCH,rəˈsərCH/
noun
: the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions
: careful or diligent search
: studious inquiry or examination; especially : investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts, or practical application of such new or revised theories or laws
The “nashtown get-down,” Lobos Art Collective’s fall 2016 residency in Nashville, TN, is a six-weeks-long creation and research & development period aimed at unearthing new ideas, hypotheses, jumping-off points. And then hunting along those pathways to unearth new material. One question leading to a host of other questions. Play-time that turns the soil over. Planting seeds for future flower fields.
I have devoted the last two-or-so years mostly to my education. I have traveled far and wide to assist my mentors, to be a fly on so many rehearsal walls, to see performances, to engage in dialogue with so many very special artists, to train and to develop my skills. To sharpen my point of view. And also to widen it.
This residency is the logical next step in my development as an artist. Having these weeks to dive into the fine-tuning of my processes, to synthesize the information I have acquired across these years, to share the art-making with these treasured collaborators… It’s dream-stuff! But also, it’s important stuff!
As artists, these days, we are so rarely afforded the luxury of time and space to slow down and really explore. I think our work, as it spreads out into the future, suffers for this. In the building of this residency, I am attempting to move emphasis away from “the product,” and a mad rush to get there, placing emphasis, instead, on the importance of exploration, improvisation, individual creative expression andcollaboration – really digging in!
Why Nashville? Why not a hometown get-down? Namely, so that we can all separate from our very busy, very stressful, very congested lives, to really focus on the research. I chose a “destination residency” so that we can eliminate distraction and truly immerse ourselves in this work. Nashville has a vibrant art community and we are looking forward to garnering inspiration from the artists who live and work there. We will be thrilled and humbled, too, to contribute and to share.
Your donations will go towards providing the whole team with clean and safe accommodations, transportation, travel to and from Nashville, and a modest stipend for their extraordinary efforts.
Even the smallest contribution is an enormous help. Please donate what you can! Be a part of this really special something! Support Lobos Art Collective! Support ART!
With LOVE!,
Erica