The Stealing of the Kine
Last week in Philadelphia, in the Conwell Dance Theater at Temple University, Wolf-in-Skins (a dance-opera I have been designing with co-creators Christopher Williams and Gregory Spears) had it’s avant-premiere showing of act one. My costume designs for the opera’s supernatural characters made their first appearance on stage. Many thanks to an amazingly gifted cast of dancers and singers who transformed and transported us to netherworld realms.
I had my camera with me during the dress rehearsal. Here are some photos of my costume designs for the race of the “Fay.”
Gwrgi, Bleiddwen, Gwyddrud and Gwydden (Matthew Flatley, Kira Blazek, Jordan Isadore and Steven Zarzecki) _ photo: AndyToad
Llaethwen, Llaethenwen and Maiddwen (Chelsea Retzloff, Caitlin Scranton and Andrew Champlin) _ photo: AndyToad
A pack of wolves and hounds _ photo: AndyToad
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As for the future of Wolf-in-Skins, we will continue working on its second act this year, and the complete dance-opera is slated for debut in New York City in 2014. More info as it develops
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Gruss vom Krampus!
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Happy Holidays! Yuletide Greetings!
Krampus _ photographs by AndyToad
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My friend Adam and I recently got together for a photo shoot with the goal of depicting Krampus.
Krampus? You remember - the figure from Germanic lore associated with winter solstice, season change and fertility. Krampus chases away wicked spirits, assures a bountiful growing season, symbolizes a right of passage. Realize he comes from a pre-Christian time before pagan iconography was assimilated, adapted, and sometimes demonized… Eventually as different belief systems came and went, and sometimes tried to get along, Santa Claus and Krampus started playing the roles of good cop – bad cop. Krampus bears a switch and a basket/sack to carry off naughty children. In modern times there seems to be a resurgence of interest in the idea of Krampus. Austria has some fantastic festivals in his honor. Someday I have to make it to a proper Krampuslauf!
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Some old European Krampus greeting cards
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Some more of our Krampus below. (Photographed in Akron, Ohio, November 2012)
Desired Things
Dear blog,
Please do not think that you are forgotten. While we may not see one another as often as I’d like – you are in my heart and mind always. Let’s make an effort to spend more time together in 2013, alright? There is so much that I want to share with you. Times have been hard but we shall forge ahead. Perhaps some guidance, below is a old prose poem that has been there for me from time to time throughout the years. I love you. -Andrew
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Desiderata
by Max Ehrmann (1927) …Go placidly amidst the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its shams, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy
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Lupine and Canine
In the studio sculpting wolves and hounds for “Wolf-in-Skins.” _ photo: AndyToad
cul de cerf
Photo: Kay-Paris Fernandes pour Mademoiselle à Paris
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On Aura Tout Vu
Fall/Winter 2012-2013 collection – “Somewhere Else Kingdom“
at the Jardin de Palais Royale during Paris Couture Fashion Week
I’m not really sure about the rest of the collection, but the guys with deer butts are definitely harbingers of fall fashion…
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Photo: Kay-Paris Fernandes pour Mademoiselle à Paris
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Photo: Kay-Paris Fernandes pour Mademoiselle à Paris
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Photo: thecollecte.tumblr
Trending Forecast : Centaur Booty
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Storm King
Entering the South Fields of Storm King _ photo: AndyToad
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Last week I was able to escape the city for a few days with an excursion up the Hudson River. On one of those days, about 50 miles upriver, tucked away in the Hudson River Valley I found The Storm King Art Center – a fantastic outdoor sculpture museum. Thankfully I wore my walking shoes – for over 100 monumental sculptures are spread out across Storm King’s massive grounds (500 plus acres.)
Here are a few of the many sculptures living amongst the hills, fields and woodlands of the Hudson valley. I strongly recommend a visit.
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Adonai by Alexander Liberman _ 1970 _ Steel _ photo: AndyToad
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Under Adonai _ photo: AndyToad
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Free Ride Home by Kenneth Snelson _ 1974 _ Aluminum and stainless steel _ photo: AndyToad
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LUBA by Ursula von Rydingsvard _ 2009-2010 _ Cedar, cast bronze, and graphite _ photo: AndyToad
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LUBA’s view from Museum Hill _ photo: AndyToad
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Solarium by William Lamson _ 2012 _ Steel, glass, sugar, plants _ photo: AndyToad
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Solarium by William Lamson _ 2012 _ Steel, glass, sugar, plants _ photo: AndyToad
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View of Mom and Dad through Solarium _ photo: AndyToad
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Three-Legged Buddha Zhang Huan _ 2007 _ Steel-and-copper _ photo: AndyToad
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Three-Legged Buddha Zhang Huan _ 2007 _ Steel-and-copper _ photo: AndyToad
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Foci by Chakaia Booker _ 2010 _ Rubber tire and stainless steel _ photo: AndyToad
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Foci by Chakaia Booker _ 2010 _ Rubber tire and stainless steel _ photo: AndyToad
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Mermaid by Roy Lichtenstein _ 1994 _ Painted carbon fiber and epoxy over aluminum _ photo: AndyToad
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Suspended by Menahse Kadishman _ 1977 _ Weathering steel _ photo: AndyToad
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Endless Column by Tal Streeter _ 1968 _ Painted steel _ photo: AndyToad
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