Sister Space

We hosted a couple tour/workshops for 1st graders at Becker Elementary during Elaine Bradford’s Freaks of Nurture. Here are just a few of the wonderful thank you letters we got from them.

This is a call out to Artists of all kindred spirits. ZACH is producing
a new bi-lingual adaptation of Jesus Christ Superstar! The production
is set in modern day Mexico, and the environment for the show is based
on the tradition of mosaics. This art form has a rich history in Mexican
and Spanish art.
Because of the nature of the piece, and the deep passion that surrounds
it, I have the desire to involve our community in the show. I want to
see the design as an inclusive experience, and have devised a way to
include your personal point of view in the show.
This is where you come in! We will be providing a 4′x4′ shallow box for
you to create your own mosaic! (we also have a smaller size available
for those who live far away).
*We are looking for*: Your spirit. Your beliefs. Your point of view.
Your culture. Your Joy. Your memories. Your creativity.
*The form*: While I am looking for it to be based in mosaics, there is a
lot of latitude here. Collage as a form works for me also. You may
decide to make it a memorial or a personal Altar or shrine. It can be
3-D, but please keep it to 6″ deep or less.
What we will provide: We are constructing 4′x4′ squares of plywood with
a 3′ lip around the edge, painted red. (and as I mentioned a few smaller
versions also.)
*Materials*: Whatever you can get your hands on! Tile is great, but
other objects can and should be used as well. (For those starving
artists, we will have some found materials at ZACH we have collected
that you can choose from, or we can provide you with a little $ for
materials)
*Artistic parameters:* While I want your imagination and passion to run
wild, I also need a way to make sure this all works together. The key
color of the set overall is red. The boxes will be red. The walls of the
theatre will be red. The floor will be red. Here are a few images that
seem to reoccur for us……

-Flaming Hearts
-Crosses
-”Day of the Dead” (Dia De Los Muertos)
-Altars and shrines
-Fish
-Snakes
We have included a few images to inspire you, but by all means be
creative.
*Here is a link* to view some mosaic techniques for those less familiar
with creating a mosaic
www.thejoyofshards. co.uk/index. shtml
All of these mosaics created for the show will become part of a silent
auction during the run of the musical to raise funds for ZACH’s Annual
Fund Drive. So be sure to sign your piece on the side of the box so
everyone knows who to thank. *Please pass this along to anyone who you
think may be interested.
Boxes will be available for pickup by April 16th. We need to have the
finished boxes returned by
Monday, May 14th.
Please feel free to contact Dave Steakley dave@zachscott. com or me
michaelraiford@ mac.com about ideas for your art box. Contact Shannon
Richey shannon@zachscott. com or 476-0594 ext. 239 to obtain your box.*
Thank You for your time and collaboration! !! I hope you are excited
about being part of the show and this unique cultural design event!
Michael B. Raiford
*

Here are some inspiring links and images:*
http://mosaicartsou rce.wordpress. com/tag/mosaic/ mosaic-medium/ ceramic-
tile/
www.folktree. com/boxes. html
www.theartofmexico. com/gallery10. htm
www.casamexicanafol kart.com/ the_day_of_ the_dead. html
Scan through the 9 pages of this Dia de Los Muertos celebration in
Mexico (Look at the beautiful sand paintings in the cemeteries
illuminated by candles on the last few pages):
http://farstrider. net/Mexico/ Muertos/Backgrou nd.htm

Our wonderful Featured Artist has super fantastic animations: Check them out here http://samsanford.com/pages/JPEGmuseum/rellOhlson.html

Check out this rad website. It lists jobs in the arts and grant opportunities for artists among many others.

Check it out http://www.nyfa.org/

For more installation pictures go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/wtwgallery/