May is Arts Month at the IDP
"Transcending aggression is the root of all the artistic talent one can ever imagine" - Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche
This month, we've got a blend of creativity inducing and workshops at IDP -- events and lectures that focus on art, creative practice, buddhist-inspired art history, and as a special treat we're co-sponsoring a series of experimental music performances in Williamsburg.
Our work as compassionate beings relies on creativity, which from one point of view, is just the practice of not remaining present in the face of fear. This implies a link between spiritual and artistic development, and blurs the line between creative performance and social activism. Check it out!
"How do we get elegance? By paying attention -- particularly to what we do." -- John Cage
"Art is not apart." -- Eric Booth
Arts Events in May
Sokuzan Bob Brown Returns to IDP
May 4- 5th Opening the Eye Mind: Weekend Workshop & Gallery Meditation with Sokuzan Bob Brown
Sokuzan Bob Brown returns to IDP to offer teachings that investigate awareness and perception and utilize art as an object to awaken the senses. Click Here for more info about the workshop.
On Saturday Bob will lead a meditation at the Hole Gallery, just down the block from IDP, you can attend as part of the weekend or workshop or just come for the gallery meditation.
Bob will also be available for one-on-one interviews through his departure on 5/10, which can be scheduled through kim@theidproject.org
May 6th Art CAVE: Community Art Viewing Exchange
A powerful forum for personal transformation, Art CAVE or (Community Art Viewing Exchange), is a chance to share artworks -- physical pieces or short performed excerpts -- with other contemplative artists in the NY Community. Will be led by Sokuzan Bob Brown.
Arts-Related Wednesday Night Talks in May
5/2/12 - Siddhartha: The Story of Buddhism -- Performance and Talk by Michael Owens
Michael Owens performs a dynamic retelling of this classic story weaving traditional Buddhist legends with doctrinal concepts and historical information. Suitable for all ages and levels of practice.
5/16 - CREATING DHARMA ART with Jack Niland & Andrew Forbes
Most people think of Dharma Art as “Buddhist” art, using symbols and deities to make paintings or sculptures. Dharma art, a complete path of spiritual discipline, does not have much to do with “Buddhism” at all, but actually about creating an enlightened world the way we would like live in it. This event will have teachings, workshops, participatory activities, performances, and feast, as a way to transmit the essence of these profound teachings, originally explicated by the Vidyadhara Chögyam Trungpa, Rinpoche in the 1970’s
5/23 - Nothing & Everything with Ellen Pearlman
Author Ellen Pearlman discusses the impact of Buddhism on post-war American culture, particularly on performing, visual, sonic, inter-media and literary arts in New York City. This is the subject of her soon to be released book "Nothing & Everything"
Online Livecast and Discussion
5/10 - The Enlightened Artist - How Creativity Relates to the Path of Awakening with Shastri Ethan Nichtern
Join Ethan for his first ever Interactive Video Livecast. The Topic will be "Your Emoticons Won't Save You: The Enlightened Artist" and will cover the topic of how creative process intersects with studying Buddhism, and how art can convey the struggle to experience the awakened state of mind. Ethan will also be talking about the story, characters, poetry, and Buddhist themes in his new book "Your Emoticons Won't Save You." RSVP to info@ethannichtern.com
Every Tuesday in May - PRACTICE!
The IDP will be co-sponsoring PRACTICE, a music series in Williamsburg curated by Sam Hilmer.
"The Diamond Terrifier (aka Sam Hillmer of ZS) offers 'PRACTICE!', ongoing Tuesdays at Zebulon full of live and recorded sound, images, and serious frivolity. Each session of 'PRACTICE!' offers New York's highest attainers in the areas of making and spinning music. The atmosphere is casual, and people are encouraged to try things, but it's also a reliable early week party for those who were not ready for the weekend to end. Contrary to the insisting of a familiar pop-mantra, practice is not about perfection, at 'PRACTICE!' the path is the goal, and we hope yours leads you here!'"
Arts Month is co-sponsored by Pinned NYC: A new website for community-based Activism at the intersection of Art and Spirit.
