Jana Astanov

Presented by Local Project Art Space & Jana Astanov in conjunction with Culture Lab LIC’s outdoor summer programs

AUGUST 22nd, 6-10 PM

CULTURE LAB LIC at THE PLAXALL GALLERY
5-25 46th Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101

How does one define Performance Art in the era of COVID-19? Though a solid definition of the practice has always been elusive, the last few months of social distancing, self-isolation, and mask-wearing has caused us, the curators, to reevaluate. Gestures that seem almost performative in nature -standing six feet apart, bumping elbows in lieu of hugs – are the new and accepted normal, while past forms of socializing from The Before Times appear alien and fictional. The virtual extension of our domestic spaces have become our solace, acting as only a rudimentary, if vital, simulacrum of social connection. Every moment, every waking breath whether uneasy through a mask or haggard through a tube, has become performative and politicized. The only sane option is to view this new reality as a total and complete Performance.

Months of isolation revealed a simple truth: human connection is essential to well-being. While the digital layer will have its chapter in performance history, this gathering insisted on the embodied encounter, on collaborative process, communal becoming, and collective dreaming. Taking to the streets and parking lots, we amplified voices at the brims of official culture to touch the core: Earth’s heartbeat, and glimpse a shared, imperfect utopia.

We engaged our sixth sense to select 3 curatorial projects as part of our Emerging Curators program to present the extent of contemporary utopian currents that dwell under the social fabric of our community to access individual and collective feelings, to transmute life into art in one LIVE ART event. We see our curators as visionaries whose sensitivity connects them to the creative force of the Universe from which the artists emerge, weaving their personal stories, and practices as embodiment, physical and monumental, of what there is. Call it Reality, Culture, or the Underground.

3 SEGMENTS OF THE FESTIVAL:

ALEMBIC: Body & Spirit: Live Art as Healing Art curated by Jana Astanov

DIY UTOPIA(S) curated by Sierra Ortega

NO MATERIAL curated by Furusho von Puttkammer

Jana Astanov, ALEMBIC: Body & Spirit: Live Art as Healing Art
“Quantum physics confirms the most far out theories of Western as well as Hindu philosophies unifying within the concept of the world as one consciousness that expresses itself through the creative medium of space and time. Live art with that experience of being “caught in the moment” seems to allow the transmutation of energies, possibly even transforming the audience into the extreme mode of participation as the collective body. In the times of political and social divisions between the class of 1% and the rest of us, the precarious equilibrium of our cities in the face of XXI century pandemics, and the technological advancements that do not soothe our souls, evoking the creative healing powers of artistic practice is the quantum leap of holistic thinking.”

Furusho von Puttkammer, NO MATERIAL
“New York City used to be exactly like a Richard Price novel: seedy, dirty, and full of risk. The parties were 24 hours, the music was DIY, and the art was raw. Then the children of upper middle-class suburbia, drawn by the romance and history of the city, moved to New York and began to warp the city to fit with their suburban ideals. No Material is a series of performance nights harking back to the old-school tradition of New York performance. Everybody is broke, everybody is desperate, and everybody is convinced that they’re the next undiscovered breakout star.”

Sierra Ortega, DIY UTOPIA(S)
“Bodies, no longer solid, evaporate into a field of virtuality. We dance on the precarious edge. Embrace that unknown force, for the future is always necessarily an imperfect stumbling towards. And so, I ask the following questions: what does Utopia look like/feel like? How can our relations be used to generate liberatory topographies? How can we manifest the future together? These questions are an invitation to collectively experience the precarious space of creation through the work of four queer artists who each uniquely embody the kinds of collective and DIY artistic practices that can transform the anxiety of the present moment into actions that gesture toward new futures.”

PRESS COVERAGE:
CREATRIX Magazine: https://creatrixmag.com/lic-live-art-performance-art-festival-august-22nd/

Art Spiel: https://artspiel.org/alembic-body-and-spirit-live-art-as-healing-art%EF%BB%BF/

This program was supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

NOUMENA: INITIATION curated by Jana Astanov

Sat June 30th 5-9PM LIC-A (Long Island City Artists)
The Plaxall Gallery 5-25 46th Ave, Long Island City 11101

Performing artists: Jaguar Mary X, Claire Zakiewicz + Siw Laurent, Megwyn White, Prieztezz Or Nah + Undakova, & Greem Jellyfish.

Since the 90s of XXc philosophers and art historians were looking for a term to describe the era after postmodernism, and while the term “anthropocene” became one of them, in terms of cultural production we are experiencing a new type of romanticism: return to feminine, mysticism, magic, nature and spirituality. The occult and magical are re-appearing throughout different art mediums possibly as an answer to our increasingly materialistic world.

As a response to this shift of paradigms, a performance art series themed Magic and Shamanism encompasses works focused on ritual, shamanic traditions (including healing and shapeshifting), paganism, witchcraft, occult, esoteric teachings, folk magic, as well as astrology, magical intents, narratives derived from mythology and religions, magical and symbolic languages such as grimoires and sigils.

Plato described the role of an artist as the one who translates the meanings of the cosmic consciousness for the rest of us. In a similar manner the Shaman or Shamanese, are the go-between medium, revealing the will of the divine and connecting the tribe with its vital force. Today’s artists can be perceived as traditional shamans possessing the power of accelerating humanity’s evolution in consciousness.

In pre-Kantian philosophy “Platonic Ideas and Forms” are describe as NOUMENA, and phenomena are things displaying themselves to the senses. In this event NOUMENA: INITIATION we invite you to explore the IDEAL somehow unknowable WORLD with a group of performance artists whose work carries on shamanic traditions.

Saturday September 21st at The Park Church Co-op

NOUMENA: MUSIC OF THE SPHERESS
In celebrations of the AUTUMN EQUINOX
Curatorial Series by Jana Astanov

Since the 90s of XXc philosophers and art historians were looking for a term to describe the era after postmodernism, and while the term “anthropocene” became one of them, in terms of cultural production we are experiencing a new type of romanticism: return to feminine, mysticism, magic, nature and spirituality. The occult and magical are re-appearing throughout different art mediums possibly as an answer to our increasingly materialistic world.

In the spirit of this paradigm shift NOUMENA magic & shamanism art series encompasses works focused on ritual, ancient pagan cults, shamanic traditions, witchcraft, occult, esoteric gnosis, folk magic, as well as psychedelic experiences, astrology, magical intents, narratives derived from mythology & religions, and magical and symbolic languages.

Plato described the role of an artist as the one who translates the meanings of the cosmic consciousness for the rest of us. In a similar manner the Shamanese, Xwaay or Shaman, are the go-between medium, revealing the will of the divine and connecting the tribe with its vital force. Today’s artists can be perceived as traditional shamans possessing the power of accelerating humanity’s evolution in consciousness.

In pre-Kantian philosophy “Platonic Ideas and Forms” are described as NOUMENA, and phenomena are things displaying themselves to the senses. In this event NOUMENA: MUSIC OF THE SPHERES we invite you to explore the IDEAL somehow unknowable WORLD with a group of musicians, poets and performance artists whose work carries on spiritual traditions.

Location:
| The Park Church Co-Op |
129 Russell St | Greenpoint, Brooklyn
G-Nassau, L- Graham

ARTISTS:
PLAN 23
http://plan23.net/

OHMSLICE
http://ohmslice.net/

ROOMTEMPERATURE
https://soundcloud.com/roomtemperature

ASTRALOOP
https://soundcloud.com/astraloop

ULTRACULTURAL OTHERS
http://ultraculturalothers.ontrapages.com/

JULIA SINELNIKOVA
https://www.juliasinelnikova.com/

FANNSYSTEM 
https://www.fannsystem.com/

Live visuals: CHRIS JORDAN https://seej.net/

Video Projections: CLAIRE ZAKIEWICZ http://www.clairezakiewicz.com/

Art Exhibition “Altars, Portals and Grottos” in celebrations of the WINTER SOLSTICE with performance art series
NOUMENA: deLIGHT curated by Jana Astanov

Location:
The Park Church Co-Op
129 Russell St, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
G-Nassau, L- Graham

ARTISTS: Agnieszka Pestka, Kat Ryals, Elena Chestnykh, Katie Cercone, Shayma Aziz, Miah Artola, Claire Zakiewicz, Maria Liebana, Janice Sloane.

“Altars, Portals and Grottos” is a group show presenting works from multidisciplinary female artists who work in the medium of installation, sculpture, light, performance, and video. Located in The Park Church Co-op sanctuary, the artworks will illuminate the main space of the temple during the Christmas period, relating to the advent tradition in Christianity and ancient pagan beliefs where the celebration of advent comes from. The idea behind this show is to fulfill the human need for spiritual experiences, bringing light and hope during the darkest time of the year, and therefore to transgress the darkness, to connect with the community through the experience of oneness, to raise beyond the divisions of faith, and to celebrate the transition into the new year.

On view December 21-30, 2019
Public access during Noumena: deLIGHT Dec 21st 6:30-10:30pm
+ “Art as Spiritual Practice” conference December 28th 5-8:30pm

Opening reception:
NOUMENA: deLIGHT
Saturday December 21, 6:30-10:30pm

Closing reception with performance by performance by HECTOR CANONGE SACRIFICIO (Sacrifice)

Description: SACRIFICIO (Sacrifice) is a performance that addresses notions of the spiritual while posing questions about the nature of human forgiveness and physical detachment. Through a series of actions marked by movement, physical endurance, and symbolic visuals, interdisciplinary guest artist, Hector Canonge, will deliver his last performance of 2019. SACRIFICIO (Sacrifice) is a reflection on contemporary culture, and people’s struggle to understand and connect with their inner “Self” in relation to the “Holy.”

Reading series and a book launch curated by Jana Astanov

October 29th, 2019
Synesthesia Gallery
47 Thames St #306, Brooklyn, New York 11237

The HARVEST Season is nearly over with October passing by fast…now we shall HARNESS the internal wisdom, the voice of the Higher Self honoring needs of the body and soul.  Here, at CREATRIX, forest bathing, nature loving, star gazing, and poetry are our medicine and daily practice. Writing your heart out gives you the power of knowing yourself; reading other’s poetry bestows the gift of insights into our collective soul. Let’s search, and read together at TRIPLE HAPPINESS! 

On Tuesday 29th October CREATRIX and Red Temple (imprint of Creatrix Magazine) celebrate the launch 3 new books: (  ) poetry collection by Jeremy D. Slater, “Hysterical Surrealism” poetry anthology edited by Tony Oats, and “Birds of Equinox” motherhood inspired poetry collection by Jana Astanov, with guest readers: Jane LeCroy, Bonnie Lane, Abbey Garner & Elizabeth Sokolovski. Please join us at Synesthesia Gallery for this special evening of joy and poetry.

Bios of Authors:

JEREMY D. SLATER is an intermedia artist working in the areas of sound, video, computer art, performance, installation, and words. Born in Reading, England and a graduate of both SUNY College at Buffalo and School of Visual Arts with an MFA in Computer Art. Performances include sound and live performed video that is ambient and sometimes interactive/reactive. Video work includes single and multiple channel videos for screening and installations with sound and ephemeral sculpture.He was one of the 1999 recipients of the Computer Art Fellowship from New York Foundation of the Arts (NYFA) and has attended the Experimental Television Residency, was guest musician at Watermill Center and HERE with Cave/Leimay, and was artist in residence at Seoul Art Space_Geumcheon in Seoul, South Korea. He has exhibited and performed in the United States, Canada, England, Germany, France, Italy, South Korea, and Japan. www.jeremyslater.net

Priestess of Impermanence, JANA ASTANOV is a multidisciplinary artist and a poet. Her work includes photography, poetry, performance, and new media. BIRDS OF EQUINOX is her fifth collection of poetry.

Bios of Guest Readers:

Jane LeCroy is a New York based poet, singer, performance artist, and home-birthing mother of 3 (!), also known for her music acts (Ohmslice ) http://www.janelecroy.com/

Bonnie Lane (May Be Bonnie) is an Australian interdisciplinary artist based in Brooklyn, New York. In an act of performed autobiography, she presents her ‘life as art’ in a context-based practice that spans writing, object making, dance, video, performance, lectures, and social intervention. Bonnie holds an MFA from New York University and Bachelor degrees from TheUniversity of Melbourne and Monash University, Australia.

Abbeyrose is a NYC based singer, actress, & performer with musical theatre background. She is a proud company member of The Living Theatre, and an alumna of Circle in the Square Theatre School & the King’s College. She has performed in and produced musicals and plays in New York City.

Elizabeth Sokolovski is an aspiring underground poet who seeks the right words to manifest her thoughts into reality. She is studying Advertising at FIT and pursuing the creative fields of writing, photography, and dance. You can read her poetry on her IG @soul.threshold.

Summer Solstice at Rosekill — Be Light, Bee Joy!

Rosekill Art Farm, summer residency of Grace Exhibition Space

Presented by Jana Astanov in collaboration with Rosekill Art Farm
Venue: Rosekill Art Farm, Hudson Valley, NY (outdoors)
When: Solstice weekend, June 2021

Solstice marks a threshold: light at its zenith, community at its brightest. Guided by seasonal ritual and the poetics of place, the event embraced performance as collective attunement—listening to the land, the body, and one another. Each action, from intimate gestures to ensemble offerings, became a beacon: be light, be love, bee joy.

Community festival. Intentional. Site-specific. Cult of the Earth Mother and the planetary cycles.

My curatorial vision is to bring multicultural Solstice traditions and, through each artist’s practice, weave them into contemporary performance art in the spirit of magical transmutation within the land of Rosekill Art Farm. This year we celebrate Summer Solstice at Rosekill with the intention of connecting and celebrating our community through three days of site-specific performance artworks and communal rituals.

Participating artists:
Maira Duarte @dttp.nyc @lac.reme &Marc Mosteirin @marcmosteirin
Kate Hamberger & family @glambergerart Valerie Sharp @valerie.kathleen
Katie Cercone @0r__nah_spiriturlgangsta @gopushpops 
Fann Perez @fannsystem Claudia Perez @clau.zerez 
Maria Mars Tsaguria @wizardbitchh @cult24nyc Corvette @callmecorvette 
Niko van Egten @makebelieveav Josh Kil @yourejoskil @pataphaxitas 

Rosekill Art Farm is the Hudson Valley summer residency site of Grace Exhibition Space—60 acres of woods, fields, and water in Kingston/Rosendale dedicated to outdoor performance, permaculture, and community gatherings. Artists from around the world convene here for festivals, residencies, and site-specific works; summer evenings often unfold with shared food, bonfires, and late-night performances across the landscape

LOVE/HATE exhibition with performance art by The Maira Duarte + Miu Soda Duo from Dance to the People, Jamie Mcgann, Eugenia Pigassiou and Astraloop, curated by Jana Astanov.

As a society, it seems that we are fighting to prevail with Love but we are doing it with Hate. Is love enough anymore? If we all understood love, then there would be no hate, are those that have embraced hate have been duped to thinking its love?

participating artist : Aileen Bassis, Andrea Bass, Barbara Slitkin, Elizabeth Tolson, Eugenia Pigassiou, Fulvia Zambon, Issa Ibrahim, Jason Bryant, Jenny Young, Joey Steigelman, John Richey, Joseph Lawrence, Joseph Poon, JP Anne Giera, Julia Justo, Kateryne Lora, Margaret McCarthy, Marianna Peragallo, Mario Joyce Belyusar, Monica Z, Nutthawut Siridejchai, Sally Jerome, Shyla Idris, Tim Kelly, Tom Bogaert, Tony Loftman, Zack Federbush, SeungTack Lim

Featured photo The Maira Duarte + Miu Soda Duo from Dance to the People

Saturday December 21st at The Park Church Co-op, 6:30-10:30pm

In celebrations of the WINTER SOLSTICE
magic & shamanism series
NOUMENA: deLIGHT curated by Jana Astanov
with an art show “Altars, Portals and Grottos”

ARTISTS: Plan 23 with Chris Jordan, Yuko Parris , RoomTemperature, Abbeyrose Gelsomina, Maira Durate, Chikyu Moon, ASTRALOOP with Jana Astanov, Nikolas van Egten, Ronit Levin Delgado Rojas, Megwyn White.

Doors open at 6:30 pm and the performances starts at 7pm. For the tickets, and your kind and generous donations to support the community of The Park Church Co-Op, follow this link (for the ticket scroll to the bottom of the page): https://withfriends.co/Event/3254911/Noumena_Delight_Winter_Solstice

ALTARS PORTALS AND GROTTOS

“Altars, Portals and Grottos” is a group show presenting works from multidisciplinary female artists who work in the medium of installation, sculpture, light, performance, and video. Located in The Park Church Co-op sanctuary, the artworks will illuminate the main space of the temple during the Christmas period, relating to the advent tradition in Christianity and ancient pagan beliefs where the celebration of advent comes from. The idea behind this show is to fulfill the human need for spiritual experiences, bringing light and hope during the darkest time of the year, and therefore to transgress the darkness, to connect with the community through the experience of oneness, to raise beyond the divisions of faith, and to celebrate the transition into the new year.

On view by appointment, December 21-30, 2019
Public access during Noumena: deLIGHT Dec 21st 6:30-10:30pm
+ “Art as Spiritual Practice” conference December 28th 5-8:30pm

Artists: Agnieszka Pestka, Kat Ryals, Elena Chestnykh, Shayma Aziz, Miah Artola, Claire Zakiewicz, Maria Liebana, Janice Sloane, Jana Astanov.

https://creatrixmag.com/noumena-winter-solstice/

CREATRIX Magazine invites you all to the conference
Art as Spiritual Practice, Art as Activism
December 28, 4:30-8:30pm

Part of NOUMENA: deLIGHT December 21-30th
curated by Jana Astanov
With an art show Altars, Portals, Grottos

Panel discussions + Q&A:
The Power of Water with Damali Abrams, Jennifer Taves, Megwyn White moderated by Jana Astanov.
Art as Spiritual Activism  with Jill McDermid, Jaguar Mary X, Hector Canonge, Nilton Maltz moderated by Claire Zakiewicz.

Performances:
Hector Canonge, Jaguar Mary, ASTRALOOP, Duo: Depends on the Day with Gravity, Queen of Love and Hope + Heather Morowitz.

Location:
The Park Church Co-Op
129 Russell St, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
G-Nassau, L- Graham

Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/590481908190032/

THE POWER OF WATER
Panelists:
Damali Abrams – the Glitter Priestess
Megwyn White – Embodied Technologist and Sexologist
Jennifer Taves – Costumegasm Creatrix and Purrmaid Performer
Yannanda – The One Who Speaks With The Stars
Moderated by Jana Astanov – interdisciplinary artist

ART AS SPIRITUAL ACTIVISM
Panelists:
Jill McDermid – director of Grace Exhibition Space, and Rosekill, a farm and an outdoors performance space
Nilton Maltz – psychoanalyst and visual artist
Jaguar Mary X – ritual performance artist and filmmaker
Hector Canonge – interdisciplinary artist and curator
Moderated by Claire Zakiewicz – interdisciplinary artist

Doors open at 4:30pm
On display in the main sanctuary of the church a group show “Altars, Portals and Grottos”: Katie Cercone, Agnieszka Pestka, Elena Chestnykh, Shayma Aziz, Miah Artola, Claire Zakiewicz, Maria Liebana, Janice Sloane and Kat Ryals.
curated by Jana Astanov
on view by appointment until December 30st.