i am coming out of something
I hope I am free
today
on saturday i got to be the Laughter Hostess for linda montano in her
lighten up
performance at the old ulster county jail
it was part of the kingston biennial that's happening all summer up here
i am performing my new piece
the green heart
the last weekend, labor day
more about that later
but on saturday, i was the laughter hostess, inviting people into what seemed like (for most people) the somber interior of a somewhat scary place, cell 3 in the women's quarters of the jail
i offered people bread & water & an opportunity to sit w/ linda & laugh away their karma & personal tragedies as well as the intense tragedy of the lives & karma of those who had passed thru all the cells in the past (there was the option of celebration as well, tho that seemed like a stretch, but then not everyone was vocal in their intent to laugh)
i was supposed to be chuckling & laughing the whole time, in my hostess gig, but i am afraid i am a lousy actress, or at least not good at being false, for all my discipline
i was able to smile & be gracious & touchy-feely & all that goes along with that
the whole thing was awkward in the most gorgeous human way
the walls were sad with love in the jail 
& there is something about sadness that brings the solemnity of innocence
i felt innocent & i saw linda innocent too. that was beautiful
(i have been following you)
(you are gave me freedom to do what i do)
(loving the world one person at a time)
(as art)
(it seems funny & a litte sensational now but you did it when it was new)
(i stood next to you & served you lunch at the ear inn)(it was many lives ago)
(much freedom & incarceration ago)(i was 24)
(the rope was on the floor)
(tethered)(you & me)
(thank you)
*****************************
LINDA M MONTANO'S : LIGHTEN UP, A 7 HOUR ART/LIFE COUNSELLING PERFORMANCE AT THE EX-ULSTER COUNTY JAIL, ACCOMPANIED BY LAUGHTER HOSTESS, KATHE IZZO.
ON 7/7/07...............LINDA M MONTANO WILL SIT IN CELL 3 OF THE EX AND EMPTY ULSTER COUNTY JAIL AND MEET OTHERS WILLING TO BE LOCKED INTO THE JAIL CELL WITH MONTANO TO LAUGH OFF,BOTH OF THEIR CURRENT LIFE-ART ISSUES.
KATHE IZZO WILL PERFORM "LAUGHTER HOSTESS", GIVING BREAD/WATER AND INITIATE THOSE OUTDSIDE THE JAIL CELL INTO THE ATTITUDE OF " LAUGHING WITH" NOT AT EVERYTHING, AS THEY PREPARE TO ENTER CELL 3 FOR THEIR ART/LIFE COUNSELLING.
MONTANO'S INTENTION IS TO FIND CREATIVE/AESTHETIC WAYS TO RESPOND TO A WHOLE BUNCH OF NOT SO FUNNY WORLD AND PERSONAL EVENTS THAT SEEM NEVER TO STOP!
GRATITUDE TO BETH WILSON FOR AN INVITATION TO THE KINGSTON SCULPTURE ANNUAL AND FOR HER IDEA THAT THE JAIL WOULD BE A FINE PLACE TO SHOW/MAKE ART.
wow.
I'm touched deeply by her work.
Just read her chakra story, oon her website.
It's stunning, and inspiring in so many ways.
I'm beyond speachless.
Posted by: AbsolutBeauty | July 10, 2007 at 07:42 AM