(Long Island, NY) Living in the most exciting city in the world New Yorkers establish a blend of combining town and country in their complex lives. During the week Manhattanites travel daily to their employment, go shopping in high end expensive boutiques on 5th and Madison Avenue, take in a movie at the Ziegfield Theatre, enjoy fine dining at a trendy eatery, attend a Broadway show and maybe if they are lucky view an obscure Off Broadway play. The latter is the case for me.
This past week I was lucky to be invited by Actress Terry Champion to see her latest endeavor “Following the Yellow Brick Road Down to the Rabbit Hole.” Superbly written and performed by Terri, this one woman show is a witty poignant exploration of the Catholic Church, Sexuality and growing up as a late bloomer. The play humorously explores Ms. Campion’s adolescence as Cissy a young Catholic girl who searches for her own identity by challenging the restraints of the Catholic Church. During her journey we meet Cissy’s friends, mothers, priests, nuns, siblings and other prominent individuals influencing and developing Ms. Campion’s character. Terri entertains us with her invigorating performance by effortlessly transforming one character to another as she takes the audience through a whimsical roller coaster of emotions resulting is us feeling elated and inspired.
In our interview Terri explained her path in creating “Following the Yellow Brick Road Down the Rabbit Hole.” The play evolved from a series of memoirs laced in a veil of fiction. Terri dramatized two selections at Polaris North in early 2003 with the help of actor/director Joe Sicari. Later that year she premiered three selections at the Culture Project’s Women Center Stage Festival under the direction of playwright/director Bill Cosgriff. She continued to develop the work in workshop with American Renaissance Theatre and in public performances in several venues including Café Fez, The Cornelia Street Café Manhattan Theatre Source, HERE, and Emerging Artists. Although she is onstage alone, there are many people who helped evolve this work including playwright Liz Karlin; playwright/actor Marc Castle and director James Alexander Bond. There is also a PG version of “Following…” for adolescents.
Actress Terry Champion with Cognac Wellerlane
For more information about Actress Terri Campion please visit www.terricampion.com.
On the weekends Manhattanites become Hamptonites enjoying what the East End has to offer. This weekend I attended the exhibit Earthscapture, The Art of Setsuo Ito. This wonderful exhibit presented for the very first time at the artist’s ultra modern home and studio in Bridgehampton, New York. The artist’s home is situated dramatically on highest point in the Hamptons with breathtaking panoramic views. The exhibit included a book-signing, remarks by Russell Means and a closing reception. Mr. Means is known as the most famous American Indian in the world and has been a respected Native American movement leader, activist, author, actor and close friend of the artist. Russell Means was born in 1939 on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation near the Black Hills. Mr. Means has remained active with the American Indian Movement for more than thirty years. Russell has traveled extensively throughout the world working for over twelve years with the United Nations.
In 1991, Russell began his career in Hollywood. He has starred in numerous feature films, wrote his autobiography, recorded two albums, and started his own production company. Russell continues the fight for self-determination through the media to reach millions. He he is best known for his portrayal of the Indian Chingachgook in “Last of the Mohicians” co-starring with Daniel Day Lewis who plays the character Hawkeye.
For more information please visit www.russellmeans.com.
“Earthscapture” is a fascinating work of mixed-media sculpture expressed through nature in Southwest landscape in 38 individual pieces in 11 series of works. Roger Yee, a successful journalist working in the areas of design and architecture created the essays for the book.
Earthscapture Artist Setsuo Ito with Cognac Wellerlane
All proceeds from the sale of books and posters are contributed to the non-profit Total Immersion School, a traditional Indian school, founded by Means.
During a press conference at the exhibit the artist Setsuo Ito expressed “I would like to thank you for coming to the Earthscapture Exhibit. It is my belief that artistic expression brings comfort and balance to the mind. In my personal experience working on the Earthscapture. I have received great joy from the process, along with an ever growing love for nature’s beauty. The work of Earthscapture is to comment on the world rather than reproduce it. The intent was to let each piece assume a life of its own, so that it makes a unique impression on the viewer who then retains an image that can be summoned up and transformed at will. My hope is that this self-discovery process will encourage the viewer to experience the beauty of the natural world in which we live.
Unlike most exhibits, the work of Earthscapture is not for sale. Instead the goal of this exhibit is to take Earthscapture on a national and international tour – to share Earthscapture with the art community and to encourage in the general public a greater awareness and appreciation of our natural environment.” “Earthscapture” recaptures three decades of the Japanese-born artist’s observations of the natural landscape of the American Southwest. His “art is the act of the result which leads to the cause,” he explains.
I also had the pleasure of interviewing famous photographer, Lou Manna who exquisitely conveys the intricacy of Ito’s artistic pieces through his glorious photography. Lou Manna has been a professional artist for the past 35 years and has worked for the New York Times for fifteen years. Lou met Ito and was commissioned to work on Earthscapture. He is now entering a new stage in his creative life. Lou has accepted several new projects that appeal to his interest and has found several areas in which he can produce high-end professional quality art. Storyboards, Posters, Concepts, Comic Books, Spot Illustrations, Toy Designs, Characters and other work all are in the range of Lou’s ability. He hopes his next 35 years will bring him new and exciting projects to keep him busy for years to come.
For for more information about Earthscapture The Art of Setsuo Ito please visit www.hudsonhills.com and for information about Photographer Lou Manna please visit www.loumanna.com.
