_ the muse of poetry in slovenia! (shoshana utchenik) --- 2008

Saturday July 5, 2008

I-A in Ana Desetnica Street Theater Festival, Ljubljana Slovenia.

Collaboration between poet Amanda Leigh Lichtenstein, Chicago, and artist Shoshanna Utchenik, Ljubljana, culminates in an interactive performance:

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The Muse of Poetry Conducts A Workshop

The Muse of Poetry herself invites you to transform what is unwanted into what is wanted. She will create a space for this transformation on Preseren Square, the popular meeting place and memorial to the National Poet of Slovenia. We will write poems that both honor Preseren and challenge the rise of the Individual inspired by the Romantic movement in literature and art.

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This interactive performance was the result of collaboration between poet Amanda Lichtenstein and artist Shoshanna Utchenik (seen here as Muse of Poetry).

We took over the monument to the National Poet of Slovenia in its capital, Ljubljana. We asked passersby to transform something unwanted into something wanted, by writing a poem through a prescribed creative process.

We wondered,

What happens when a private process takes place in a public square?

Is it possible to change our selves by changing the way we use our common space, and vice versa?

What if an inward-seeking document is mailed to a stranger?

Can we let go of our egos by letting go of our creative product?

Can our self reflection become an act of generosity and selflessness?

Can we be surprised, look twice, take a risk, let go, connect?
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Transformation in 6 Steps:
The Muse of Poetry Invites You to Change What is Unwanted into What is Wanted

START HERE

1
Take supplies here.
Address an envelope to yourself, place it in the jar.

2
Whisper what is unwanted into the paper 5 times.
WRITE: Where does this unwanted thing live?

3
Run it to the river and scream it to the water.
WRITE: What will you do with this unwanted thing?

4
Smash it up and smooth it out against your chest 3 times.
WRITE: a question to your unwanted thing.

5
Breathe through your paper 3 times
WRITE: What is wanted?

6
END HERE
Take an envelope from the jar.
Seal your poem.
Give your envelope to the Muse, get a laurel.


Muza Poezije te vabi, da spremeniš to, česar ne maraš, v to, kar si želiš.
ZAČETEK

1
Tule vzemi pribor.
Na ovojnico napiši svoj naslov in jo položi v vazo.
2
V list papirja petkrat zašepetaj to, česar ne maraš.
NAPIŠI: Kje živi ta nezaželjena stvar?
3
Teci k reki in jo zakriči v vodo.
NAPIŠI: Kaj boš naredil s to nezaželjeno stvarjo?
4
Papir trikrat zmečkaj in ga poravnaj na prsih.
NAPIŠI: Vprašanje svoji nezaželjeni stvari.
5
Trikrat vdihni in izdihni skozi svoj papir.
NAPIŠI: Kaj je to, kar si želiš?
6
KONEC
Potegni iz vaze katerokoli ovojnico.
Kuvertiraj pesem.
Daj ovojnico Muzi in vzemi venček.
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More Photos
all photos Miha Tomsic


Thanks

To the brave ones who participated!

Goro Osojnic and Ana Desetnica; Amanda Lichtenstein; Druzina Zakonjsek in Zorn, vsi; Eva; Damjan; Jan and Oskar; Jim, Diane, and Pema Chodron;

Photos: Miha Tomsic

Video: Barbara Zemljic

INTERSTATE ARTS: The Muse of Poetry