Artist Lecture

Definition: Performance art involves creating a reaction from the audience through actions, performances, or installations, regardless of whether they are positive or negative.
Inspiration: Influenced by Yoko Ono, a notable performance artist recognized for her powerful and often challenging pieces.

First Experience: On Ash Wednesday 2020, the artist wrote "My Mother's Grief" on their forehead while working at a dry cleaners.
- Expectation vs Reality: Anticipated reactions from customers varied from what was experienced; reflected on the unpredictable nature of audience reactions in performance art.
Second Experience: Performed a piece in school with the phrase projected onto their body, reciting poetry regarding their mother's grief.
- Connection to Cultural Narratives: Acknowledged the depth of their mother’s grief, equating it to significant religious symbolism, particularly in the context of Jesus Christ’s suffering.

Ash Wednesday 2023: Today’s performance includes the phrase "My Grandfather’s Rage" on the forehead.
- Exploration of Anger: Discussed the societal fear surrounding masculine anger and the implications of cultural and generational trauma.
- Grandfather's Background: Described the strong yet troubled character of their grandfather, highlighting the anger stemming from experiences of poverty and discrimination.

Writing Inspiration: Introspection on generational trauma, culture, and identity reflected in writing.
- Themes of Grief and Identity: The artist's poetry reflects on personal identity, ancestry, and the socio-economic struggles faced by their family.
Key Poem Excerpt: Discusses cultural displacement, family history, and systemic issues such as racism and capitalism affecting their family.
- Connection to Current Events: Mention of systemic racism and injustices faced by marginalized communities, framed through personal narrative.

Shift to Digital: Adaptation from in-person performances to digital formats due to the pandemic.
- Film and Visual Art: The artist began to make films blending visuals with poetry and storytelling, eventually limiting verbal expression to allow images to communicate more vividly.
- Transcending Form: Focus on documenting familial stories respectfully for future generations to view and understand.

Current Artistic Practices: Encouraged the audience that creativity stems from utilizing available resources rather than relying solely on expensive materials.
- Rasquachi Style: Emphasized community involvement and the importance of supporting local art without financial privilege.

Quoting Other Artists: Acknowledgment of a misattributed quote about revolution, stressing that art should serve as a means of reasonable discourse rather than just an instrument of revolution.
- Importance of engaging with community and fostering connections through storytelling and art.

Personal Impact: The artist reflects on their role in articulating experiences that resonate across generations. - Workshops and Classes: Upcoming plans to provide classes in bookbinding and other creative activities as a means to connect with the community.
Importance of Sharing and Understanding: Encouragement for individuals to reflect on their lives and those of their ancestors to enrich their narratives and foster communal healing.