An interactive sculpture by
Craig Harris & Candy Kuehn
A spiritual aspect of charity is often central to the society's concept of love, justice and ethical behavior, linking the individual and the individual act of giving directly to the social fabric. In Tzedakah Box II individuals offer the gift of experience, wisdom and personal stories – fond memories, innermost thoughts, poignant moments and deep insights. Visitors to the installation explore personal stories and perspectives in an interactive environment.
Shape is a new experimental improvisation ensemble comprised of Viv Corringham (vocalist), Stephen Goldstein (laptops and various electronics and controllers) and Craig Harris (real time sampling and processing). Viv extemporizes with a broad vocal palette, with and without words; Stephen draws upon his vast toolbox of sounds, controllers and live performance techniques; and Craig records and processes them both, feeding the material back into the mix to create a sound fabric that the three “shape” together.
This is an excerpt from a 40-minute set. (12" 40')
Craig Harris, Piano and Soundscape
Bradley Greenwald, male vocals
Gary Schulte, violin
Here are a few excerpts from The Red Shoes Ballet created in 2001 for the Minneapolis-based dance theater company Ballet of the Dolls. The Ballet is based on the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, which was incorporated into a movie directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger in 1948. In the film an authoritarian ballet impresario Boris Lermontov rules over his protégés, demanding complete submission to his demands, which include not allowing personal relationships to interfere with their art. He brings a new dancer, Victoria Paige, into the company, and cultivates her to play the leading role in their new ballet, The Red Shoes, composed by the company’s resident composer, Julian Craster. Victoria falls in love with Julian, creating a conflict of tragic proportions with Lermontov. Victoria’s internal conflict between her passion for dance and her love for Julian leads her to commit suicide by jumping in front of an oncoming train..
Irina's Swan Song (Duration 3 "28')
Early in the story Prima Ballerina Irina announces that she is going to get married. Lermontov is furious that she could be "imbecile enough to get married," and Irina dances her final dance as the company's prima ballerina.
Trio Triage Tarentalla (Duration 6"20')
Following a successful premiere of the company's new ballet "The Red Shoes," with a new music score by composer Julian Craster, the story gets out backstage that Julian and Vicky are having a relationship.This excerpt presents the struggle between Lermontov, Vicky and Julian for Vicky's future, leading to her death.
The scenario for this version of Sleeping Beauty picks up the story after Sleeping Beauty awakens after 100 years in hibernation. She finds herself in our current era, faced with confusing notions about “beauty” and meaning in life. Her story unfolds, and Sleeping Beauty returns to the moment of her demise, when she pricked her finger on the spinning wheel and fell into a deep sleep.
The Museum (Duration 4 "11')
Sleeping Beauty is displayed in a Museum for all to see. Visitors wear headsets telling her "story."
Beauty is... (Duration 2 "32')
After awakening, Beauty finds herself in a strange modern world, where Beauty is idolized and turned into a commodity. She reflects about the nature of beauty and her story.
