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Lisa Anita Wegner

“I make stuff and sometimes write about it”

November 13, 2014 (We Could Belong Together: Looking for) Tiny Art and A Tall Thin Man.

Call for Submissions: GALLERY1313 (http://g1313.org)

Lisa Anita Wegner, who has always loved unexpected sizing, is looking for extremely small art of any medium for TINY: a group exhibit which will on display for a month entirely in the Windowbox at 1313 Queen Street West. Please submit a jpeg with dimensions or the existing or proposed pieces.

Call for Performance Artists HAUS OF DADA: (www.mightybraveproductions.com)

Looking for a tall (6’2”+) slim male performer to perform with Thin Blank Human. Send us a picture, your height and performing experience.
http://lisaismightybrave.com/2014/10/31/performance-artists-perceived-gender-affects-audience-reaction/

Please contact Matthew or Patrick at hausofdadatoronto@gmail.com with TINY or THIN BLANK HUMAN as the subject line.

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October 31, 2014 Performance Artist’s Perceived Gender Affects Audience Reaction 

Since Nuit Blanche on October 4th 2014, artist Lisa Anita Wegner has been performing as Thin Blank Human with her face and body completely covered in a white spandex suit. She talks about the surprising experiences of her audience interactions these last weeks as she talks to Fritz Snitz.

In the weeks leading up to Lisa’s third and last Nuit Blanche installation TRIANGLE: Ascension into Another Golden Age, Lisa discovered bending light with mirror film, a practise she calls Light Painting. Her mind was blown open so wide from this discovery she never recovered. In the days leading up to the event Lisa was not able to decide on an outfit for Mama Dada/ Space Guide. Several days before Nuit Blanche it all came together when Lisa found a white spandex morph suit and she never looked back.The Thin Blank Human came to life.10484925_10154646615130521_7406620484583067895_o
Q: On the eve of your Performance/ Projection/ Sculpture installation TRIANGLE: Ascension into Another Golden Age you were interviewed by local news and walked once to The Black Cat as The Think Blank Human, with only a headset and GoPro camera her your head. Tell us about that.
 A: My outfit really wasn’t coming together, and when I saw the morph suit I felt like I’d found it and I decided to put my original Space Guide outfit on a mannequin and be The Space Guide’s Soul. This also felt right for the light painting that I was excited to do. I decided I was the spirit of Mama Dada who travels through space and time. In the suit I felt comfortable and free, the only thing is I really can’t see. I had an interview with local news and I wore just the suit, the headphones and a GO Pro on my head. 
 
I noticed during that quick interview that people stepped and leaned away from me when I approached and talked to them. And stared ay me with with open mouths. Someone on Dundas Street said “that’s a dude” as I passed. I walked once to The Black Cat from Haus of Dada and got similar reactions. The wind was cold on my body and I had an impulse to put a dress over the white morph suit for my own warmth and comfort. Without testing it in advance I put a Mama Dada dress over my suit and went back out. 
 
I spent the  rest of the night in a performing in a white morph suit and a dress and more obviously a woman I got friendly reactions and TRIANGLE: Ascension into Another Golden Age was a a wild success. That night Thin Blank Human was born.
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Q: And then you performed a Strip Tease called Nothing To See Here. 
 A: Yes later in October I performed Nothing To See Here at The Canadian Alternative Arts Collective (of which I am proud to be a new member) and here is where the gender issue started to become interesting. That night I didn’t speak. I gestured to the writing on the back of my Flight Suit and then would do various strip tease dances out of the suit. 
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At first an older man said ‘You are spectacular, can I ask if you are a man or a woman?” I answered “I am a woman” and he said “really?” and stared at me longer. I said “yes my name is Lisa” and he seemed not to believe me. During this packed event I stripped out of the flight suit many times. A second man came over and said to me “If you don’t stop that, I’m going to punch you in the face.” I was surprised  and responded playfully but didn’t stop. Third guy said “I don’t want to see a man strip. Stop it it’s fucking disturbing.” I said out loud “I am a woman.”  I overheard another man say “that is not a woman, no woman would dance like that.” I also heard “no woman would wear that.”
 
Interesting. First of all who cares? These guys care. I was immediately reminded of friend and artist Steven Joseph, who was my MUSE for TRIANGLE, he is a male who is given a hard time on a regular basis by males who get angry with him for looking like a beautiful woman.  Screen Shot 2014-09-10 at 10.36.04 AM
 
These small examples led me to believe that I want to further experiment with gender and the morph suit. So my female body shape and female voice do not trump the idea that I’m a man.  – October 27 2014.

Fritz Snitz is arranging for Lisa to perform NOTHING TO SEE HERE in New York City in 2015 following a series of performances in downtown Toronto. Tonight for Halloween Haus of Dada presents a Screening/ Performance/ Installation FREE SURGERY on All Hallows Eve where Lisa will be performing as The Faceless Dr. Wegner. 

More about Thin Blank Human Artist Would Rather Give Ownership of Her Work to Those Who Inspire, Than Those Who Can Pay.

More: Performance Artist Charging Art Collectors To Think About Her

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October 13, 2014 Artist Would Rather Give Ownership of Her Work to Those Who Inspire, Than Those Who Can Pay.

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Artist Lisa Anita Wegner has had a wave of unexpected financial success when Haus of Dada started offering LAW Thought Certificates for sale. Originally priced at a mere $200 to think about Lisa, when they were announced as available the price shot up to sell at over a thousand times their original value.

An anonymous German collector was thrilled that he holds the first gallery sanctified thought, purchased at $300,000 CDN. He owns the thought of Lisa Anita Wegner in her signature white suit for 2014. “Many others are allowed to think it, but I own it- I paid for it” the collector boasts.

“We don’t want Lisa saturating people’s minds, we want them wanting more. So we will stop the sales next week and then “Memories of LAW” ownership certificates can only be viewed be during upcoming March 9th performance at the Museum of Modern Art or next season as a guest performance at the Art Gallery of Ontatrio” says her manager who goes by his street name Wheels. 10632756_10154674563975521_2249571178938028204_n

Unexpectedly the first week of October, Haus of Dada stopped the sale of these thought certificates and Lisa insisted the 3.3 Million CDN be divided amongst local charities.

“All this wealth flashed around felt creepy,” admitted Lisa, who will now be giving these valuable Thought Certificates to people who have directly inspired her. “If these folks want to cash them in, that is up to them. It is a gift.”

willisBruce Willis poses with a rare shot of a LAW Thought Certificate. “I’ll never let this piece go.” Declares Willis

 

So artists, art patrons, curators and media are all waiting to see who is chosen to receive  these valuable pieces of paper.  “Finances will have nothing to do with it. They go to those who have given me something much more valuable than money. Inspiration and human connection.” says Lisa with a big smile.

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October 13, 2014 Fritz Snitz for Haus of Dada

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September 29, 2014 Performance Artist Charging Art Collectors To Think About Her

Toronto based Performance Artist Lisa Anita Wegner responded to New York Artist Lana Newstrom’s recent success with collectors, selling her invisible art.

Lisa immediately was inspired by this bold manoeuvre and teamed up with curators Fritz Snitz and Candy Warhol who started started charging art collectors to think about Wegner.

In the first week alone, collectors in New York, Berlin and Saltzburg have paid out 3 Million to be the first to own the thought of Lisa Anita Wegner.

Lisa is represented by Haus of Dada in Toronto, although if you want to be in the ranks of these collectors you had better hurry. After a mere week there is already talk of limiting the purchases. An anonymous German collector is thrilled that he holds the first gallery sanctified thought, purchased at $300,000 CDN. He owns the thought of Lisa Anita Wegner shown below. “Many others are allowed to think it, but I own it- I paid for it” the collector boasts.

“We don’t want Lisa saturating people’s minds, we want them wanting more. So we will stop the sales next week and then “Memories of LAW” ownership certificates can only be viewed be during upcoming March 9th performance at the Museum of Modern Art or next season as a guest performance at the Art Gallery of Ontatrio” says her manager who goes by his street name Wheels.

Lisa Anita Wegner will not let us forget her.

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COLLECTORS information: http://www.mightybraveproductions.com/collectors

Article: The Dada Times, Toronto by Mama Dada

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September 19, 2014 Intergalactic Light Show Allowed into Earth Environment October 4, 2014: TRIANGLE Nuit Blanche Updates

My 2013 Nuit Blanche piece Queen of the Parade curated by Patrick McCauley was a collaboration with Vanessa Lee Wishart which showed my work on an international stage and changed my life. This year is my third and last doing Nuit Blanche, at least for awhile.
TRIANGLE: Ascension into Another Golden Age is my Inner.Space send off.  It is a three location Ascension Experience: Projection/ Sound/ Wind / Performance/ Sculpture +InterGallactic GUESTS. The team has come together so elegantly and while there are always unexpected bumps in the road we are now in the home stretch. I am thrilled to bring this version of TRIANGLE to you. I have been experimenting all year with installations at Belljar Cafe, Moniker Gallery and The Film Buff. Having said that I might take a version of  TRIANGLE to ARTEL PHX next year. 

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Born from a few hard weeks of c-ptsd cognitive problems, this new improved projection light show at The Black Cat is perhaps the most amazing thing I’ve discovered in my experimenting with bending light. I have discovered a new element that takes my projections to another level.

I have an installation of gauzy curtains and netting in a womb shape that the audience enters into. With industrial fans and multiple directional projections in the gauze, when I tested it as part of a local art festival, it was extremely successful despite not being able to hear the healing sound track by Marshall Dragun. So I have a **special sound experience** for The Black Cat: Full Surround Sound brought to you by Sennheiser HDR170 and Haus of Dada.  We are still looking at some rentals for Quadrophonic Surround Sound for The Belljar Cafe, the last and most relaxing of the venues. 

Haus of Dada : The Invitation

The Black Cat: The Experience

Belljar: The Exhalation

 
Carolyn Tripp is my partner in visuals for TRIANGLE. She is the Executive Director of the Parkdale Film and Video Showcase and she will be designing the clear, clean visual environment for Belljar: The Exhale. She will also be designing and executing the TRIANGLE art that will link the locations. 
Marshall Dragun has worked with me all year on the soundtrack. The intent of the sonic accompaniment for TRIANGLE is aimed to re-establishing, in practice, similar principles of intended positive bio-celestial realignments. With the use of binaural solfeggio frequencies and isocrhonic tones, as well as sound samples captured from space, the journey is crafted with base frequencies that are believed by some to have a positive fundamental effect on the human experience and on life as we know it. The sonic journey is tied into the ascension process by moving upward through the scale of the 9 basic fundamental sacred healing tonal frequencies (174Hz, 285Hz, 396Hz, 417Hz, 528Hz, 639Hz, 741Hz, 852Hz and 963Hz). Ascension is ultimately attained by harmonizing the mind,body,soul through one experiencing the entire upward scale of these tones; thus allowing for the re-establishment of ancient celestial realignments ie. The New Golden Age.  Special musical guests are Stephane Vera (pictured) and Aris Plampe. 
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I am also very excited to be working with my TRIANGLE Technicians Wanda MacRae & Daisy Semkiw Blackburn, performers/ who will pull through the portal with me. Tarqin Richards is my intern who will be Inner.Space Videographer. 

My favourite special guest is the glorious artist Steven Joseph who will be my MUSE. I pulled him though my portal into TRIANGLE and he will thrill us with his extra terrestrial beauty and style. Come and catch a glimpse before Steven gets pulled  into another level Super Star Galaxy and we mere humans can no longer reach.

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After getting Steven onboard as guest I thought immediately of Matthew Del Degan’s LOVEBOTS as another addition to this world. I did a group show with Matthew last TIFF and have been in love with his BOTS ever since seeing them in person. I asked him for a full sized 8 foot LOVEBOT for in front of the Haus of Dada and Carolyn Tripp and I were hoping for an army of the small ones to connect the locations on Dundas. Matthew just told me his good news yesterday that since SPACE Network has done a piece on his LOVEBOTS Matthew is now in demand. So no mini LOVEBOT invasion along Dundas… he has bigger robotic fish to fry. I am hoping his project coordinator Roger can get us the original large LOVEBOT for the haus. 
 
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 Freeman Audio Visual’s great sponsorship I realized last week, was not the company but our guy Jason Tremblett. Jason changed us a fraction of the listed rental prices and would slip us additional and give us old equipment. He is on long term medical leave and the new guy assigned to us is a corporate sales person with no interest or understanding art. Jason saw the scope of the amazing work we are doing. New guy sees me as a client who has no money. Sad. He offered me a tiny discount and asked why I would want equipment that I can’t afford. I know it’s common to focus so much on money but I feel sad for Kyle- I asked twice if Jason was ok and he never answered. So I think I will say farewell to Freeman and let them get on in their corporate pursuits.
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So… I have borrowed enough projectors, screens and media players, now I think we’ll just do a simple rental of the Quadrophonic sound set up. Next week is testing everything and set-up lists. Anchors away! Space ships have anchors too.

 TRIANGLE is sponsors by Parkdale Village Arts Collective/ Gallery 1313, Partners in Art, Belljar Cafe, Forever Epic Films, Mighty Brave Productions & Haus of Dada.

Soon the website will include full project details and bios of our team: www.mightybraveproductions.com/triangle
Your until the USA drinks Canada Dry….
Lisa

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September 12, 2014 I Am Toddler & Caregiver: Tricking Myself Into Doing What is Best

Dealing with c-PTSD for me can feel like I am a toddler: at times my cognition and problem solving drop out and I need to get help to do basic things. Like make toast, write a basic email, fill out a form, make a decision. The goal of all my trauma therapy at Women’s College Hospital is to give a toolbox of emotional and physical skills to help you come back from the edge. Basically to not drop out. That’s where the Parenting comes in. I”m now pretty good at seeing and symptoms in advance. And taking lots of time and asking for lots of help. 
 
As my close friends know, the way that I first managed to get out in the world after being too afraid to leave the house for almost two years in (2008-2010) was to feel 100% safe all the time. It was a long slow process of knowing who and what was safe emotionally and who would take the best care of me. And finding that balance I started to create boundaries shutting the rest of the world out. I left the house for medical appointments and friends would come and visit me, often one on one. I chose only those who treasure me to come into my world. As the years went by, I got better and better at choosing the folks in my work and personal circles. I am now surrounded by loving wonderful emotionally aware people who factor my well-being in.
 
So I opened up my world a bit at a time. Adding larger art projects that involved a creative team and choosing folks wisely. No talkers, no big promisers, only folks who come through on promises and finish things. I love finishers and nurturers. Kind and responsible ones. And I started meditating almost every day. From this hard daily work, daily art therapy and trauma therapy at the hospital I have a good balance.
 
I can keep this calm happy rhythm going for weeks. And then at times I am reminded of the S in PTSD. I have a stress disorder. And now that I am super organized, not rushed and not stressed I have a good base of my life’s tasks and my emotional state being under calm control.  When I do encounter routine stress especially when something is important to me, my cognition drops out to scary levels and my problem solving bottoms out to not being sure how to get back home. I have experience this drop out thousands of times since 2008 and each time it is terrifying because without reasoning and cognitive skills the world is terrifying. 
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v45Wtbk7s6I
Here is an interview with Katie Chats about my therapy art practise
 
So this Nuit Blanche, without city funding I don’t have the budget to hire a producer, like I had last year (I miss you Martin Edralin: who is doing amazing worldwide with his film HOLE). I have produced several small scale installations with the help of friends and interns and I will be fine here too. 
 
If I start to try to think my way into the tasks aggressively I can’t breathe and everything goes white. My body shoots chemicals like I’m getting ready to fight a bear. Fear in the space used to leave me spiralling for weeks and it is unimaginably awful there. And when I poke through the other end I am mentally, emotionally and physically exhausted.
 
But if I meditate myself into the right emotional space and trick myself that I don’t HAVE to do anything, then I usually can circumvent the system. Then feeling freedom from the stress disorder I can problem solve and write emails like a champ.
So the trick is to give myself slack while the clock is ticking on a project. Perspective always helps: it’s an Art Installation, not heart surgery. And I have an amazing concept, a terrific team and wonderful support. Once I get my brain and the Mighty Brave Productions magic back, we can bring to live the best Nuit Blanche experience that the neighbourhood Dundas Roncesvalles has ever seen!
Now I’m meeting Angela Chao, a friend who also started making art because of a brain injury. Our stories are so very different but we have a lot of things in common including symptoms and experiences. We are going to meditate together and look at my notebooks when I was one year in to healing (2009). I’m now six years in.
I do think from this experience I will enlist Sue Edworthy Arts Planning again this winter to see about getting funding to get me a part time producer.
TRIANGLE: Ascension into Another Golden Age is the project I’m referring to.  www.mmightybraveproductions.com/triangle 
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I feel better after writing out the experience.
Onward and upward
Lisa

September 9, 2014 How I Ended Up In The Windowbox at Gallery 1313

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Carolyn Tripp (Parkdale Film & Video Showcase) and I co-curate The Window Box Gallery at Phil Anderson’s Gallery 1313. Carolyn’s September’s installation was delayed due to installing new glass in the middle of the month so the space was empty in the interim.
 
I am involved in the Parkdale Art Mentorship Program and I was mentor to Maya Path. Maya came aboard my July projection/ performance exhibition STARDUST: Life on Jupiter as one of my STARDUST Technicians. She worked along with my team and my other intern Tarquin Richards. 
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Maya also assisted me for Queen of STARDUST the closing performance event of the week. And when I fell out of the ten foot dress installation it was Maya who caught me:

10549963_10154455634515521_4601145420103873695_oMaya and I are creatively simpatico and I enjoyed adding her into my art practise. We started formulated an idea of what we wanted to make for the End of Program Exhibition supported by Telus and Gallery 1313. We started playing on video and I found her shooting and her editing worked well with mine. We started working on TRIPTYCH our performance/ projection/ popcorn party installation.

“TRIPTYCH isa collaboration with Maya Path for the Parkdale Artist Mentorship Program. Maya and I created three separate films that will be phasing for the entire exhibition. There are several inflatable glitter balls. Are they are? Are they to play with? Thursday September 4th at 8pm we willperform live with Maya accompanying the films on piano from Halifax via Skype representing the future. I will be there as Mama Dada representing the past. Come into our world and experience TRIPTYCH, kick a disco ball off the time/space continuum and munch some popcorn. You won’t want to leave.”

Maya and I ended up creating a series of videos in preparation:

And it was very fun making the disco ball sculptures:

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For the opening of THE PARKDALE MENTORSHIP SHOW I created an installation based on our mentorship collaboration. Using artifacts from creating TRIPTYCH I made this Window Box Display.
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What a wonderful experience this has been. Maya is at School in Halifax and I have invited her back to collaborate when she is back in Toronto.
Cheers
Lisa,
co-curator Window Box  Gallery1313
owner Haus of Dada.

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September 8, 2014 A Different Part of my Brain Activated: Successful Shoot for Gendai Gallery & Reel Asian Film Festival

Shannon Cochrane (FADO) sent me an audition notice for Will Kwan’s film, “If All You Have is a Hammer, Everything Looks Like a Nail”. On top of my daily video and performance practise which is part of my trauma therapy, I had been reaching out to collaborate and work on others’ projects as well. I looked up Will’s work and was really drawn so I contacted him and set up an audition and was thrilled that I got offered the role.
So far in the art world, the artist fees have been minimal and I’ve donated them back to each exhibition/production. I make art full-time to tame the effects of c-ptsd and now enjoy regular exhibits, installations and talks about my Art Therapy Practise. I live on The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and I get volunteers, donations and sponsors per project. Six years ago I feel extremely ill and have been in Trauma Therapy at Women’s College Hospital now for 4.5 years. I found art making as a resource in SPEAKArt with Art Therapist Eva-Marie Stern. My art keeps me functioning and it’s now come full circle back to my previous career of being an actress and film producer.
Will’s project is an ACTRA production and I wasn’t sure if I was ready to re-activate my Union membership for multiple reasons. I am starting intense full-time trauma therapy in October for eight weeks and even the union dues were too much for my budget. But by this point I had read Will script and couldn’t see myself not taking the role. I used all my trauma therapy tools to figure out that while I still need a lot of help on some fronts, performing is something that comes easily and learning the lines felt fun, not stressful. I decided to do the job and contact ACTRA President Ferne Downy for help manoeuvring this gig through the ODSP system as it is part of my body of work, I couldn’t turn it down. But I am not healthy enough to head back into the working world.
And despite doing excellently well for months, this project being ACTRA and involving money stressed me out as it could affect my health insurance payments. I was installing a multi projection set up for an event at the end someone asked my name. I didn’t know my name. I couldn’t remember my phone number. I hadn’t dropped out memory like that in years. I realize often the S in PTSD stands for stress. When something is important to me it throws my cognition and memory off in extreme ways. This time I knew to look at my business card for my name. I immediately went home and rested and made some art. I have six years of experience of what to do when basic skills drop out.
So with Ferne onboard I accept the gig and start working on my 17 pages of script. I play opposite to Michael Man, who has a page or two and otherwise I speak the entire time. My character is driving while delivering this dialogue. A three camera set up with four long takes in a 30 minutes triptych film.
I worked on my script daily. I would either read it out loud our think through the details of the script and the flow of the conversation. I looked at real-estate websites to see the vibe of the successful agents and I slept well and took care of myself. The morning of the shoot I woke at 6am to walk my dogs and I was pretty fresh. And I felt good about my prep work.
The shoot was an excellent environment, a small crew and Will was sensitive to my needs as well as everyone else’s. I felt like a different part of my brain kicked in, a confident performer brain that despite heat and driving did a reasonable job with the huge amount of dialogue. I felt great. This was my largest role to date in a film. And it is interesting that while certain stress stops me in my tracks, with daily work and therapy art, I can be a high functioning artist. And with my family and a group of friends helping me every day, I can do amazing things.
I’m really looking forward to seeing the film installation.
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August 1, 2014 Transformation, inspiration & glam rock in Lisa Anita Wegner’s STARDUST: Life on Jupiter? opening night

Thank you Cathy for covering my event. To many more.

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july29_lawegnerI dropped by The Black Cat Gallery (2186 Dundas Street West) last night for the Transformation at Lisa Anita Wegner’s opening of STARDUST: Life on Jupiter?, on until August 6 (no worries about what it says on the poster – I confirmed the date with Wegner).

Described as a Transformation/ Projection/Live Art Making/Live Collaboration project, here’s what the Haus of Dada Laboratory had to say about this exhibit:

A one-of-a-kind event, Stardust: Life On Jupiter? incorporates the focus on re-birth, redemption, transformation, and search for truth through the adoption of personae that has been a key part of Lisa Anita Wegner’s art practice in her journey to reclaim her life from the personal darkness into which she was plunged six years ago.

Friends, family and Ziggy fans alike hung out together in an intimate, casual atmosphere, sharing a drink and chatting as Wegner’s transformation happened in the middle of…

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July 20, 2014 Whole Milk and Cocaine: Making Spectacle of Stardust at The Black Cat

During the makeup test for my upcoming performance/ live art making/ projection show STARDUST: Life on Jupiter? makeup artist Wanda MacRae and I created a universe we both wanted to play in.  We talked about the elements that we had in place and with that created a very simple performance based around the haircut, makeup and styling which transforms me into David Bowie’s character Ziggy Stardust in 3.5 hours, covered by entertainment reporter Katie Uhlmann, three go pro cameras and two art video interns that are “Stardust Technicians”.
Soundtrack by Wanda MacRae based on our mutual love of Bowie, Gaga, Boy George and a few other inspirations. My projected Stardust Video Studies will loop on the back wall of the gallery for the entire event.
I enter the gallery at 7pm with my wet hair in a towel, wearing a white lab coat. While my hair is pre dyed under the towel and my eyebrows are pre waxed and drawn on, I look essentially like myself. Wanda, the makeup artist is the “STARDUST Surgeon” as she is responsible for my transformation of my head. Wanda and I met performing with Erotic Nightmare a Rocky Horror Picture Show cast (I was Brad she was Janet) so we inserting a Rocky Horror feel. Our all female surgical crew will be dressed fashionably yet medically and have Wanda’s implements on silver trays. Both STARDUST Technicians are art video interns, they will have matching Canon Cameras and their second job is to record the event as creatively as they see fit. They will have the Stardust Lightning bolt on their faces.
I will sit in a hairdressers chair in the window of the Black Cat Gallery and absorb the feeling of the transformation while Wanda works. Once my hair is cut and styled I will put on one blue contact lens and partially dress under the lab coat, for the makeup portion.
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To build toward the ending, the white face powder will be brought out on a mirror by one STARDUST Technician while the second technician brings be a carton of whole milk. During the time Bowie was Stardust he imbibed only cocaine and whole milk. My white powder is face powder but that doesn’t mean we can’t cut it with a credit card. And I will be handed the whole milk, a treat for me once I’m STARDUST complete. I’m hoping Maha Richi, a stylist I’ve known since high school who is dressing me will be able to be there to put jacket/  the final touches on me for the cameras.
The STARDUST Technicians will countdown and pop glitter canons to signify the transformation is complete. I will mingle for the rest of the evening enjoying my milk after my Stardust Surgery.
Off all the wonderful work I have had the privilege of doing in recent years, this is what I’m most excited for. To see how it feels and how the world treats me when I have an orange mullet and no eyebrows.
The rest of the week I’ll be pulling my art practise from The Haus of Dada into The Black Cat gallery 2-6pm. Also by appointment in the evenings. I invite to come watch, play, interact, co- create or just look through the window while I play, shoot, edit, score and project as I work.
Wanda and I doing makeup test.

Wanda and I doing makeup test.

Closing party I’ll be Ten Foot Tall Queen of Stardust, with glorious rainbow gown by Vanessa Lee Wishart and video legs by Forever Epic Films.

Sneak peek at Vanessa Lee Wishart’s glorious rainbow gown for closing party

Thanks everyone who has helped me bring this to life.
Cheers and as always thanks to David Bowie himself, the quintessential artist mentor.
xo Lisa Anita Wegner

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July 2, 2014 The only thing missing is you #WINDOWBOXSELFIE

 

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To embrace the high angle and tall shape of The Window Box I found myself looking up into the empty Gallery 1313 Window Box space while contemplating what I wanted to fill it with. While I was contemplating someone took a picture of me. I have been fascinated by the fact that so many Smart Phone users now choose to interact with the world through the lens of their phones, constantly taking photos and video of everything that they experience and interact with. Even more fascinating is their desire, at events such as concerts, to take pictures of themselves with the action in the background, with this seemingly as important a part of the event as witnessing it firsthand. As an installation and performance artist, I have been struck by how a good 80% of the audience opt to look at my work through their phones.

 

The installation #windowboxselfie that will be in Gallery 1313’s Window Box during July of 2014, is designed to play on this compulsion, creating an invitation to its viewers to create a self-portrait while they take a picture of an art installation. The round mirror angled toward the viewer shows their face while jewel-tone film gels create a halo around their face. Mirror film with RoscoFlex S lighting gel creates a surreal reflective surface, giving the viewer a playful saint-like self-portrait created from their own reflection, in a celebration of the self made possible through new technology.

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The title #windowboxselfie is printed in on the glass front of the Window Box so that it will be captured in each photo taken; and this will result in the Window Box exhibition space itself proliferating in self-portraits posted on social media.

 

Through the artist’s and Gallery 1313’s online social media, there will also be opportunities for viewers to see the best of submitted selfies, and vote for those they like best in various categories, continuing the interactive nature of the installation.

 

#windowboxselfie was created by Lisa Anita Wegner, and continues the trends of her recent art practice in its use of found objects, and the theme of reflection. This installation in particular focuses on using film expendables for the majority of its construction, creating extra layers of meaning in using film supplies to create a ‘set’ that then encourages people to make their own ‘filmic’ records.

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Construction and design expertise was provided by Nikolai Berda of Longbranch Design, a company which specializes in providing design solutions for professionals in various creative fields. This is the third collaboration between Lisa Anita Wegner and Longbranch Design, with their design and fabrication skills having previously brought her installations for ScotiaBank Nuit Blanche 2013 and ARTrageous Art In Motion 2014 to life.

 

Materials for the installation have been supplied by The Haus of Dada, Lisa Anita Wegner’s film and art collective, with additional funding provided by Partners In Art.  Process video by Lisa Anita Wegner

 

We encourage taking and tagging of #WINDOWBOXSELFIE selfies. We will choose from the most interesting ones and prizes will be awarded and at the end of the month. So come to Gallery1313 at 1313 Queen Street West, take a look into the mirrors and take a picture of yourself.

 

The only thing missing is you.

 

Here is a short video of how we made it

 

 

Taking a Selfie Has More to Do With Self Worth Than You Realize: Read what Molly Fosco at Huffington Post has to say

 

#WINDOWBOXSELFIE

instagram @gallery1313 @lisa_anita_wegner @longbranchdesign

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May 15, 2014 Life on Jupiter? Me & Ziggy

I tell people all the time that I meditate but so far I’ve laid pretty low about my meditation buddy Ziggy Stardust.  It sheds light on my fascination, for those interested in such shedding.

Lately in my meditations when I look in a mirror I see a mashup of myself as/and Ziggy Stardust. It feels like the most natural thing in the world to have him lounging emanating pure pleasure and joy. This is in a meditation space where usually there is blank slate. I have a wild imagination but have tamed it diligently over the years- I’m pretty good at clearing my mind and creating a blank scene.  When outside chatter quiets and I’m able to hear myself Stardust is there I let him sit. Sometimes he offers a comment but often is silent looking at me knowingly.
lawofziggysmall
I’ve been compelled into creative action by this character more than an I ever expected.  I dig Bowie but it’s his 1973 spaceman rock god that has my imagination hostage recently. I started to get a sense that somehow I was seeing an unexplored aspect of myself.  I became compelled to try him on for size.
At Andrew Williamson’s gallery The Black Cat on July 31st 2014  I will perform a live transformation. Wanda MacRae hair and makeup artist will make the magic while I experience it. She will dye, cut and make me up replicating the Life on Mars video. Ouchy eyebrow removal also onsite. Of all the awesome  upcoming work, I am the most excited about his.
After we have some matching footage of the LOM video I’m going to figure out the next step. The rest of the week I’m editing live and filming in the gallery basically moving my art practise into a public space. Want to know how I make what I do, here’s your chance.  I just now realized I want to set up a go pro all week. I also have a second Stardust transformation happening on a lovely fellow in my life who looks like Bowie thus we will shoot Stardust on Stardust, the crescendo of the ultimate creative wank. Incidentally one of my dogs looks like the canine from Diamond Dogs album over so some half dog half human action is terrifyingly in order.
In 1973, the year that I was born David Bowie lived as Stardust for one year. I love that he knew the perfect length for an alien rockstar to live and killed him off in his prime. So somehow in 73 that poked into my imagination’s DNA.  I  have no idea where this is going to go, but I can’t wait to see the world treats me sporting the Stardust.
I declare myself officially part of the huge pool of artists inspired by the space man himself. Thanks Zig. Thanks Bowie. I am so excited to see where this door takes me and I’ll see you on the other side.
Now back to prepping video content for a group show UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT and then dodging raindrops with the diamond dogs.
LalalalaLisa
LAW of Transformation:
Stardust:
Life on Jupiter
the law of ziggy

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April 28, 2014 I create Worlds and live in them. Sometimes I get tired.

My stories come out clear, focussed, on track and on fire. I can’t believe how satisfying my day to day  life has become.  I am able to keep on a steady creative train and keep it moving slowly and surely. My bodies of work are merging and they feel flesh and blood real to me. I feel peaceful calm every day and nothing is nothing more important to me anymore than my own well being. I know exactly what I have to do. I see my plans, my collaborations, my shots, my images, feel the feelings. I am a blessed artist- a creator of worlds.

As I have since I got sick, I get hit by crippling exhaustion that knocks me right on my back when I push myself. I’m getting better at listening to my Spidey senses and taking care of things before they hit exhaustion and cognitive slippage. Since late last week I was incapacitated, moving from one piece of furniture to another, trying to muster the strength to buy groceries or take my dogs out. I feel like five years later I should be better at managing this, and I have to remember how far I have come. And with a stress disorder my chemicals shoot powerfully and my guidance system when it wants me to stop, it screams at me and knocks me to the ground.

And while this feels like a cruel blessing sometimes, I can’t ignore my inner voice. After trauma I find my inner voice yells. It’s yelling “take exquisite care of yourself” and now I am an overprotective mother to myself, sending myself home to rest when I need.

I was intending to write a bit about my bodies of work, to clarify them for myself but I don’t have it in me today.

I have a few errands to run for Queen of the Parade 2014, my next installation that will be at ARTRageous In Motion Fundraiser in Toronto in two days. Tomorrow I have marked a day of rest and recharging my batteries in preparation.

 

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Off to take care of myself and make final preparations
Cheerios and love
Lisa Anita Wegner
 

 

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February 16, 2014 The Triangular LAW of a Freedom Junkie

I am thrilled to bring one facet of  the TRIANGLE ascension experience to the opening of DIGITIZE, a show running at Moniker Gallery March 6-12. Come March 6th 7pm -11pm see all the art and ascend with me in my multi projector experience.

Here is a taste of the inaugural blastoff that was Feb 1st at Belljar.


TRIANGLE is a three location ascension experience with blastoff being October2014. The triangle is an ancient symbol used to meditate on ascension, as a conduit for higher energies, and as a cosmic aerial to receive the frequency of a higher realm. A triangle opens your third eye. Come be a part of 3 distinct sound and projection environments with timed performances by the artist who will be your Guide, ensuring your comfort during your intergalactic travel. The TRIANGLE will be located between 2186 Dundas -an art hub- The Belljar Bar and Cafe -a social hub- and Lisa Anita Wegner’s studio -an imagination hub- which closes the triangle.

Come and experience TRIANGLE, where everything mundane will be transformed into the marvelous. As all space and time exist in one moment, travel in and out is accessible to those who use the vehicle of the triangle.

Born from my Dada dream lab experiments, TRIANGLE began with the notion that with imagination, the mundane can transformed into marvellous. The various video images start with mundane footage, a flower, my feet walking, a few seconds of an octopus shooting ink. Through layering and playing with timeline I create what I call video studies. They are an everyday part of my art practise, a visual diary.

My art practice has a focus on re-birth, redemption, transformation, and process work, using a multi-media approach that fearlessly probes for the truth, richness and hard-won lessons from my personal journey over the past half-decade that has confonted me with extraordinary difficulties. Emerging from my personal darkness, I have come to love rhythm and repetition both on and off beats; as well as the beauty and possibilities of found objects – even with technology.  I work with a pastiche of donated equipment, and have embraced both the imperfections and new creative possibilities that result.

While spending time at three venues, I noticed that my studio, The Belljar Cafe, and 2186 Dundas gallery were located in a triangle. When I started researching the three-angled shape, TRIANGLE was born.

I am experimenting with a performing persona who lives outside the space/ time continuum. For TRIANGLE she will be the Guide, walking earthlings from one venue to another while performing in each projection once every hour. She wears a dress made from da-lite project screens and all her exposed skin is covered with white makeup.

the law of ziggy

My current body of work includes Dada Lab Experiments in which a multimedia “history” is created through spontaneous exploration for both myself and Haus of Dada, my studio. A silent black and white film titled Sunbathing on Mars 1916 is the backbone of this multi-year project. This for me is the ultimate creative freedom. As a trauma survivor, there is something cathartic in the ability to recreate myself and revise my history; and now TRIANGLE will be the first stage in inventing my future.

02_LisaAnitaWeger_TRIANGLE.SpaceGuide

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January 23, 2014 Ultimate Creative Freedom: The Birth of A Dada Nation

I have found such ultimate freedom and creativity in rewriting my history. Having Tobias Funke murder the real me is opening up the universe. My art flows through Mama Dada and I can’t wait to see what kind of child she raises. I now envision a Dada Nation, a place that my family builds where no linear timeline exists and all the rules are broken.

Mama Dada was an old child and every day she is getting younger. Papa Dada is so in love with her.

dada stamp

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January 13, 2014 the day before + my dada parents = met

in-the-moment story creation is the most fun thing i can imagine. i am totally hooked. i lose myself completely in all parts of the process. with an idea of the direction i’m going based on intuition, images and feelings. i find half in the moment of shooting and half during picture and sound editing. i usually see a couple of steps ahead but those can change based on what i find in the moment. while i tend to have a clear idea of what i am looking for, i surprise myself with sometime finding more authentic, unexpected or wilder than i imagined. like mama dada having two heads on occasion.

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i see clearly what i am shooting tomorrow, therefore, i know i’m on the right track. i am actually compelled to start shooting right now fifteen after midnight, but slow is my new fast. enjoy the time to play create and i a learning to take a breath in between.

your ’till the usa drinks canada dry
lisa anita wegner

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January 13, 2014 mama dada and a bold possibility

today was the first day of mama dada experiment:

i can’t get enough of these. i think i will have a big dada family:
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January 10, 2014 Papa Dada: Rewriting Haus History Lab Experiment Day 1

I have a vision of creating myself as a whole family. Father, mother, self, sister, brother, child. I saw it as a silent black and white film series telling the fictional history of the Haus of Dada. The beginning is the meeting of Mama and Papa Dada. Mama Dada is an artist and Papa is a romantic fool who does everything Mama’s love. He is in love with the reflection of himself in her.


Slow is the new fast, so I decided to break this down to tiny pieces. Today I found a look and the beginning of Papa. He turned out silly and vain feeling like the bastard child of The Burger King and Dali. I think I’m onto something. Papa’s musical uncle is Klaus Nomi.

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With this act, I activate the history of the Haus and so Papa Dada is born. Happy Birthday Papa I look forward to meeting you soon again.

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January 9, 2014 Haus of Dada Laboratory Experiments 2014

Art Right Now
or
Current Projects and Collaborations:
  • Haus of Dada Happening Series: unadvertised pop-up projections installations
  • Sleight of Gesture, interactive digital magic show in collaboration with Vincent John Vincent of GestureTek
  • LAW of TRANSFORMATION: research. Video series with live gallery transformation by hair and makeup artist Wanda MacRae.
  • You are Mother Nature. A performance art and interactive projection showMoment Factory Me: Dada Dreams Laboratory video series
  • Ongoing body of pixel paintings
  • Daily video experiments
  • Ongoing body of collages with found objects
  • Ongoing series of self portraits: moving + still
  • Flash Mob concept creation and execution
In development:
  • My Favourite Mistake: White Tragedy Feature Film
  • Welcome to Your Guidance System: Inner.Space
  • Neverwet on White: You are The Artist
  • A collaboration with Istavan Cantor

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January 3, 2014 They’ve forgiven my mistakes: If you listen carefully, there is music in the silence

I had my first projection happening on New Years Day. It was -19 degrees outside and I had a flu that had knocked me almost senseless. I had set up and tested the equipment the day before when I had my wits about me, so I decided to go ahead with it as planned. And I’m very glad I did.

I had my first projection happening at haus of dada on New Years Day 2014. I showed rear projections out the large front windows at the Haus of Dada, to surprise some passerby. It was -19 degrees outside and I had a flu that had knocked me almost senseless. I had setup and tested the equipment in advance so I decided to go ahead with it as planned. I’m very glad that I did. 
 
 
I cancelled my camera person because I thought I might be contagious. I was woozy on cold and flu medication and had to set my alarm for ten to 7pm to turn on the set up. When I tested it I didn’t watch all the way through there are some pieces with words and when they came up in the program I realized I didn’t flip to rear projection so it was really a show for me, lying on the couch in the main room. Sweating, coughing and buzzed on flu meds.
 
I was intending to have a few folks inside the main room to watch with me, but I was in so shape to receive anyone, so locked the outside door. I set up a camera in the locked porch. I forgot that camera batteries don’t do well in a deep freeze.
 
So I watched the program from inside, in silence (nauseous headache required silence) and I appreciated again how my video work is like my visual diary. The vids I showed were all made in the last six months and it was a walk down memory lane for me. I am happily reminded my art is really for me.
 
Watching the smaller screen with the sped up process videos of me working was interesting. When I’m actually working I go out of myself and lose time and space. Watching me making stuff is surreal: I know it’s me but I don’t have a specific memory of it.
 
There was deep freeze and black ice on the sidewalks. I left one window without a screen so I could look out. One person, possibly still drunk for new years eve, yelled that they could watch my videos forever. I was the most interested in the walk by traffic and their response to an unexpected light show. I will definitely be doing an ongoing of series of these unexpected unadvertised happenings.
 
Two days later I woke up at 6am. I still feel gross but I can’t sleep and decided to write this. I am happy.
 
 
 
It happened
I saw
Redemption
LAW
 
 
 

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December 31, 2013 37 Cable Cars of Readers: I want to Find Freedom In My Own Skin

A message I got from WordPress: “A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 2,200 times in 2013. If it were a cable car, it would take about 37 trips to carry that many people. In 2013, there were 7 new posts, 9 pictures uploaded.” I felt like I blogged more than seven times last year. This Churchill quote about the Battle of Britain makes me chuckle when I think about it in terms of blogging: “Never Has So Much Been Said About So Little (and read) by So Few”. I’m going to blog more often and more thoroughly from now on. The shape of my art practise is to document my days and my experiences in pictures, moving pictures and installation art. I think for 2014 I’m going to add words to that mix more deliberately. There was an interest from Cormorant Books last year in the story of how art saved my life, but it didn’t flow yet. Perhaps a few years premature. I won’t be writing it myself, however, blogging gets the words out of me for a writer to shape down the road.

Finding a performing persona is on my mind: I never thought something like this would ever be of interest to me- I’m such an authenticity junkie. I realized the type of persona I am looking for it something brought forth from a part of me that I am comfortable with, something I am authentic within. And then blow that aspect up larger than life, into a persona to play with and have access to for use in my installations. This persona quest is working toward a specific performance in October, but now I want to find it for myself. I have dropped into my body very deeply in the last few months. And I realized that while I am very physical and thought I was in tune with my body, I never use my physicality as part of my storytelling. I started to free that part of me, and I’m looking forward what might grow out of it. I remember being a bear mascot years ago and when I was completely unrecognizable I was dancing hard and audience was responding. I want to find that freedom in a less heated less furry suit. I want to find that freedom in my own skin. Then I can really do something. Now that I’ve spent an intensive five years of truthful self investigation, and the last several months amping up the listening, I feel ready to transform this authenticity and comfort into a real story telling tool. I love performance installations and realize I will probably do these for the rest of my life.

Steps toward finding this: Research by trying on other personas that I find fascinating. Personas that helped artist come into themselves. My first live transformation in a gallery will be LAW of TRANSFORMATION: Research: Ziggy Stardust. Transformation by yours truly and hair and makeup by Wanda McRae. I am shockingly stoked to have no eyebrows and an orange mullet. Or Moulet as I will call it when it’s on my head.

My brain is so deep into my next year of art and film production- and it fulfills me and clarifies what’s important. I don’t know what I ever did when I was just making films and had no daily creative output. I could never go back. And I could never go back to not meditating either, I can’t stop listening. I have never been healthier,  happier, more certain, more calm and more sure I am doing things in life that are best for me. Two thousand and fourteen, bring it on. I am ready for you with open arms.

Blogs: Never before have so many written so much to be read by so few. Amen.

Happy New Year

LAWthe law of ziggy

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December 28, 2013 venus is in the haus

welcome to my haus

countdown:

6 peanut butter balls left in the whole tin

5 days to the haus of dada happening

4 cookies fit in my mouth at once

3 rear projection screens fitted, cut and edged

2 video playlist curated, created, tested and ready to screen

1 new idea, set-up, experience and the documentation of it

0 things left to do

333

perhaps an ongoing series of happenings?

333

3 screens, roscoe half white

i’m heading outside for a spin around the ‘hood with the canine component

venus is in the haus, of dada

❤

 

 

 

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December 27, 2013 1 razor, 4 blades, 360 days: an experiment

i am currently watching through my programming for the haus of dada new year’s day happening, removing a few short pieces that weren’t up to snuff. i have decided to go with the large 60 inch projection being a one hour collection of my favourite video studies and I think the 30 inch projection will be a short program of drawing vids. I have decided to make this happening at the haus only- i was originally thinking of running the same program at the andrew williamson’s art gallery at 2186 dundas.  i am not advertising this happening- although a handful of people have requested to watch. the same program with sound will be playing inside the main room and anyone interested is welcome to join. i am most interested in the walk by traffic and how they respond to an unexpected light show.
i was going to write about my razor blade experiment on new years day, when it would have been 365 days but i had an impulse to write this today. this idea was sparked in high school when kate meier had bought a cool man and woman shaped toothbrush and disposable razor set. i thought it was cool looking razor an thought it was a shame it didn’t have changeable blades- at that time i bought into the idea that a disposable blade only worked for a few shaves. kate had this razor for months and months and way back then i started questioning all that throwing out of razors so quickly was necessary.
now i must say here i don’t shave every day and i don’t have a lot of unwanted hair. but…. i started a disposable razor last new years day. i have used it every few days since then. i rinse it thoroughly and at the end take an old toothbrush and clean all the soap residue off it. it has stayed not only usable but effective. i just shaved my legs this morning with it- no discomfort and perfectly smooth skin. i have two more disposable razors in the pack, and i thought i would start a new one this new years day. now i don’t see why- i’ll keep using the same one until there is a reason to throw it out.
i am taking this festive week before new years eve to do some hardcore chillaxing with my people and to dream up things i want to do next.
love and other indoor sports
be good to each other
lisa

fascinator

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December 20, 2013 Welcome to Your Guidance System: Inner.Space

Yesterday I sat straight up awake while I was meditating and I saw the elements of a new art installation. Now that I’m sitting in silence and listening inwardly on a daily basis, my interior world has become clear and more obvious to me. I rejoice that I feel a clear connection to my creativity and to what is important.
This installation will take awhile to shape. I feel like this a way to tie together all intense experiences in my life, and contemplate my take on the human emotional and physical guidance system. I have a couple of visuals in mind, I’ve sketched them out and I’m keen to see which one will stay in the long run. I saw a mirrored room which gives the feeling of Inner Space where the audience will step in with me. I am keen to see how projections would bounce in such a space. And what happens when I write on the mirror.
I overheard someone on the street say “I wish I didn’t have emotions, I hate them.” I kept thinking about this sentence and I realized that I understand my emotions as my Guidance System. And they are the very thing that makes me human, they are the boundaries that make us separate. To ask to have no emotion is a plea to feel better, but it is basically to wish yourself away. And then I realized more than that I saw my all emotions were like my little buddy sitting on my lap. Now that I work closely with my little buddy I realize my emotions know more than I do about myself. And a body carries a lot of intelligence and I am learning to also listen to somatic resources. With my stress disorder, for years my emotions felt unhinged and totally overwhelming. One of the ways that I dealt with my screaming emotions was to figure them out, figure myself out and set my life in clear healthy order. Every day I work to be more honest with myself and to truthfully face what my inner world is telling me.
So not only have I made peace with my emotions and guidance system, I want to create an art installation that rejoices in this and might give the audience a glimpse into how they might make  peace with themselves. To be in a healthy balanced helm of their own existence. And live a life perfectly suited.
It will be fun cool and spacey, nothing preachy or dreary by any means. I want to synthesize my ideas into the shape of this installation. The process will be mostly for me. And then the piece, I think, will really tell the story of what I learned so far about being human.

guidance system

December 16, 2013 Outside the Haus: New Year’s Day Dada Happening

Two experiences brought this idea together:
 
On Hallowe’en I put up some Roscoe Tough White Diffusion in the front Window of the Haus of Dada. It makes a terrific crisp rear projection both inside and out. I played clips of black and white monster movies and the scariest scenes from The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Even before the sun set it was nicely visible from the street and I was surprised that even on such a rainy night people stopped and watched for longer than I expected. Some came back several times and some sent other family members.
 
On Nuit Blanche I did a performance projection installation where I was a 25 foot Queen at the corner of Queen Street West and University Ave. It was interesting to have huge walking by audience and again I was surprised how long people stood watched and interacted with me.
 
So I had an idea for a Happening. I think that is a perfect term for what I have in mind. On New Years Day from 7pm to 11pm I will project a selection of my Moment Study Videos out the large front window of The Haus of Dada.
 
I made an invite on Facebook, for some folks who have expressed an interested in seeing my video studies projected. But I’m not sending out invitations like a usual event, I am more interested in the experience of the passerby. I will set up a GoPro camera to catch the silhouettes of viewers.
 
I am keen to see what happens.
Image
 

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November 12, 2013 OCAD Student Request: A Day in My Life

Last week I got an email from an OCAD student who was doing a project on daily creativity and asked me to blog about a typical day in my studio. I am happy to oblige and documenting today November 12th. I was going to wait until a day where I had an interesting meeting or something extraordinary, then I realized that was missing the point. I think it’s more important what I do on a more typical day. I have no meetings, no phone calls planned. A regular work/ creative day.
I woke up at 9am without alarm, I’m proud of that. I’ve worked to become an early riser lately. I’m sure I’ll go back to a late schedule at some point. But this busy fall/winter I want to catch all the daylight I can. I get up and first snuzzle with my dog Tanner who sleeps on  next to my bed. I open the window to air out my bedroom, make my bed, put on my robe and head upstairs to my kitchen and studio.
Upstairs I greet Aqeel my young dog who sleeps in the living room, he guards the place. I kiss the top of his hot little head and he runs outside. I put on coffee, pour some blueberry juice and sit down to schedule my day. Today is my dad’s birthday and I will write on his Facebook wall, pour my coffee in my favourite snowman mug and give him a quick call. Actually I took a snapshot of a framed picture of us and posted that to his wall. I then check my Wunderlist Application, I have all my project listed there and I do a scan to refresh my brain on the status of my current work. I am making my morning list (9:30am).
Having my studio at home for the first time I take advantage of being a mere fifteen feet from my stove all day long, to simmer some super spaghetti sauce. Tonight I have one carnivore and one vegetarian friend for dinner so I’ll simmer two sauces for six hours or so for heavenly blended taste. First step is all the chopping which I like, I do this to music and do my best to be present and lose myself in every moment I can.
I sent a thank you email to folks who helped with research. I am always thrilled that folks want to help my storytelling. (9:30am)
I am doing Internet Movie Database updates (9:45am): Queen of the Parade went up on IMDb as the first feature length film co-directed by Carl Elster and I. I’m having some difficulty adding the folks who aren’t yet on their service- the art/theatre folks. And finally the Canadian Comedy Awards Nominations have gone up on their site which means I can finally add them to my profile. I was nominated three times for best actress in a film. One year I lost to Catherine O’Hara (bragging and name dropping is the lamest but I am very proud of this). Plane Crazy a feature doc in a tortuously long post production, will not go up on IMDb as we don’t have a release date. Submitted updates and got emailed receipts for the Canadian Comedy Awards.
I open the window for a bit of fresh air and lay out my camping mat and put on an 18 min relaxation muscle relax guided meditation from Youtube. Headphone, dark, quiet, incense. Ahhhh. (10:10am) I Birthday skyped with my Dad. We were both drinking coffee. Cute. (10:30am)
Now to prepare the chopped vegetables (10:35am). I’ll put on Diff’rent Stroked on Netflix during the chop. I will dance to the opening theme, it is inevitable. During this time, my ideas come to me, projects solidify and by imagination plays hooky from being an adult. I decided to grate the carrots for the vegetarian sauce, for heartiness. Also second cup of coffee. I had a little Quisinart chopper that Ben gave me awhile back. I got it all loaded up to chop finely and no go, the appliance didn’t work. So I chopped by hand and grated the carrot. Now it’s 11:30am and the sauce is on time. I have to remember to stir with either the meat or vegetarian wooden spoon. It took a whole hour to chop by hand and prep two sauces.
11:35 I checked LinkedIn and the new folks who added me. I don’t focus much on this site but it is a great way to directly connect. Got a call, my christmas present couch from my parents is on time for delivery tomorrow. I lent my neighbour some of our location traffic cones. Neighbour is waiting for a dumpster pick up and needed the spot in front of her house clear. Four cones are better than two chairs and a string.
I got an email through my site, a brazen young filmmaker declaring his talent in a misspelled email and threatening that if I don’t use his script it will be my loss. It sure will be. Also a synopsis of a script despite the clear message on the page that we don’t accept unsolicited screenplays. I got a reasonable intern application, my last intern Rob Small finished officially in September from Loyalist College Film and stuck around until just recently. He feels like one of the team. I could take someone new for the winter, I’ll think on it.
I have been pondering and meditating on my large scale video/performance/projection mapping installations for next year. I have been able to conceptualize and visualize roughly what I want to do. Working title is MAGICK. I want to reconnect with Vincent John Vincent of Gesture tek and let him know the the first project I spoke to him about (3d projection mapping installation for a Buddhist Temple) is something I decided to move away from and MAGICK is what I’m moving toward. I will find out next years Nuit Blanche themes (chosen but not announced) and start to craft this idea in order to mesh with the city’s idea for next year. I also want to investigate the other company interested in sponsoring our venture. My sponsor, friend and cinematographer Carl Elster brought in AVW TELAV as someone we might partner with. Exciting!
There is a magician I might bring in for MAGICK, I feel the theme of Victorian magician and classic magic tricks might be the way to go. I do a google search of Victorian magician. Google image searches are a big part of my work process. I’m very visual and that is a great way to give my brain stuff to chew on. I’m going to do another 8 minute meditation now after stirring sauce.
(12:15am) I am trying to find a contact phone number for the curator’s assistant for Fashion Arts Toronto, we are looking to possibly put Queen of the Parade into this event in the spring but I’m not sure if their set up can physically support our 25 foot dress with video legs. It was made for Nuit Blanche 2013 and I am happy that it might have a Toronto gallery show before it gets sold.
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queen of the parade
I want to talk to someone in person at FAT to explain the weight, size and my plan on how we can hang it in a gallery. I’ll write a quick email to them to find out who I can talk to in person. Much better for me than emailing sketches back and forth.
(12:20am) I just had another inspiration for the new sound and image video study series I’m doing.I’m going to work on that for a bit, I’ll post the one I made two days ago, for those interested. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxGNQ6L5LXc
I am looking at projector specs, LED projectors are really coming down in price. I’m getting one for Christmas from the awesome John Taylor. There are these really cheap awesome little ones from China but the shipping isn’t awesome. John doesn’t want to risk that.

I stir the sauces. Woah they already smell and taste awesome. I just got sauce on my keyboard. I was going to make some apple carrot juice but after chopping vegetables for an hour I can’t look a carrot or apple in the face. Diff’rent Strokes is switched to a documentary called First Out of Africa. I find when I’m working I like something running. 1980s sit coms are great for the danceability every 22 minutes (the Alan Thick theme songs are the bomb). Or I like to learn things so topdocumentaries.com is great. I was tickled when last year they featured a doc that I worked on Tales of the G20. I also like to have Eddie Izzard stand up running when I’m working too.

I am tweaking the master list of projects on mightybraveproductions.com. This is the first time I’ve put all my projects in one place. Not needing traditional resumes (the closest was an actor CV) I’ve never done this before. I keep remembering projects and art shows that I have forgotten. Someone I want to work is skyping me… i’m going to take the video call. I’m tickled for the unexpected contact! (12:30pm).
My mind is buzzing from the very quick online story meeting. I need to think for awhile, let this stuff cook. (12:50pm) It’s strange writing everything down as I think of it or do it. It’s actually like having an intern- I speak everything out loud that I’m thinking so they can get a good sense of my process.
(1pm) I just sent my street address to my dinner company. Turns out I got the dinner day wrong- it’s tomorrow. But the sauce will actually be better tomorrow. So now I have a free evening to do anything I want. I might venture out with my new camera and shoot the alley art, which I am obsessed with. Ok back to story thinking. I think I will lie on the floor with my dogs, stretch and think about story structure.
(1:11pm) I actually re-arranged my studio a little bit. I’m always figuring out how to make my space better for the things I do. I have my video editing area, my easel (dabbling in painting with nail polish) my table and my meditating space (mat on floor with space to starfish my limbs out). I realize that perfecting a space is an ongoing process.  Thinking about it, I do this at least 10 minutes every day I’m here. This blog is very interesting for me to write, seeing exactly where I put my focus in a day. Now going to think and stretch. And eat some meat sauce.
I stretched, with my dogs and now I’m choosing a 6 minute and then an 8 minute meditation in the tub. I love turning my phone off and being unreachable. Its feels so free to be able to jump full force into a moment. and not be distracted. I just remembered two more art shows that I had pieces in at Buddies in Bad Times. Instead of adding them to my site and possibly get pulled back into my computer, I jotted them down on my paper list. At this point, I will meditated in the tub and then I think the sauce is far along enough to turn it to the lowest setting and head out to High Park with the dogs. This walking time is my second specific creative thinking time during a day. Sometimes I listen to music, Sometimes guided meditation. More often than not silence is the way to light my imagination on fire. Ok now the hot bath water will help soften my muscles for deep relaxation.  The calmness is intoxicating and the way forward creatively for me. The excitement comes natural, the energy comes when I’m excited. It’s the calm grounded feeling that I strive for every day. This feeling is how I know I’m doing the right thing. I ate some sauce on the way to meditate- the veg is tastier than the meat. What?! (1:43pm)
(2:48pm) Woah my thirty minute meditation bath turned into an hour- the ideas were flowing so I didn’t get out. As well as the meditations I did two guided hypnosis, also from youtube. Now I’m a bit of a prune but a relaxed energized one. I also had insights into my own create process and how I want to refine it. Thanks Student from OCAD for asking me to do this. I think I might adopt a streamlined version of this to keep track of my process to keep it fresh.  I like to document through art and video, I can do words/ process too. I just stirred the sauces and ate some more. Now I am heading for about 1.5 to 2hours to the trails in High Park with my dogs. The best time of the day for my body, heart, soul and brain. After I’ll write down a streamline of my process from bath/ meditation and dog walking. I was going to jot some notes, but I am going to trust my brain to remember and synthesize my thoughts when I get back. Brain, I trust you’ll spit it out even better after it cooks. Like my sauces.
(4:15pm) I got home from the park with a cool hardwood picture frame. I stirred the sauce and am now sitting at my work table with my laptop. I just Googled “longest simmering spaghetti sauce” and found a lady who simmers her sauce for 24 hours. That sounds like a euphemism but it’s not meant as one. I do little upkeep bits on all my projects and while I’m doing other stuff my actual creative work gets done.  Here are a few notes on the status of my current projects. I nurture them most days. At least to look at the list and keep the to-do items fresh in my head.
My Favourite Mistake:  My first feature film in the white tragedy style (a name that I have given my flavour of storytelling -it borrows much from black comedy). I have made 12 short films with this story telling mandate and I’m ready to move into long form. The characters are alive in my mind and after meeting with friend and adoption agent Maureen last week for research, I got some more authentic ideas based on her experiences from families in Toronto. It’s a story that involves adoption and I wanted to check the facts. I’m starting to see the shape of the overall story and scenes. And the ending is clear to me now too. I feel like these characters are friends that I care deeply about and I think about them often.
Jazz FM TD Bank Project: I am meeting with Ab Boles and hopefully Lorraine (of underground jazz joint)  to pick their brains for a good match of jazz musician for an upcoming project at The Revue Cinema. Jazz or Swing I think is the way. I’m keen to hear their thoughts on a kind of music I know nothing about. I would be making art videos that play on the silver screen if this project lines up.
I want to re-watch footage my intern shot of The Queen of the Parade going up running. It is still tricky to really explain the installation even with photos. So I think cutting together a few minutes of video is the way to show. The footage is shaky and blurry. I do wish there had been a bit more time put into this aspect. Luckily there are hundreds of videos posted online- I might do a collage of other people’s footage to show the 25 foot Queen off to her full glory and ten foot video legs.
Website tweaking, LinkedIn and IMDb are three ongoing picky things I do on a lot of days. I also really benefit from making something every day. Digital art/ pixel painting/ self portrait/ video study or art video. I find that my creative flow eking out little bits here and there, really adds up. The first two years I was sick I created more hours of therapeutic video art than I did whilst running a small production company.  A little bit every day. I guess I’m really understanding why it’s called an art practise. And a meditation practise. There is a such a benefit to the consistency. Since 2008 I have spent countless hours editing photos and video and now I am proficient in Final Cut and Photoshop, two skills I never thought I’d have.
The Brazil US Canada Project is an ongoing online collaboration with Luiz Barcello a Brazillian filmmaker, Steve Weiss a filmmaker/programmer and Lesie Barton and artist/filmmaker like myself. We haven’t had a meeting in awhile because of our schedules, but Luiz is coming to Toronto in December and I suspect hashing him here will freshen the interest. I’m keen to see where this goes.
Art installations in the works: MAGICK (projection mapping/ performance/ interactive) NEVERWET on WHITE (technology/ performance) WE CAN BE HEROES (performance with Lisa McKewan) and this idea I have about a tin bird man.
In writing this especially, I realize my days are full of millions of moment nurturing my creative process, body, mind and projects. I used to feel a rush in my work- like I should be farther along or have done more. Now I realize that I’m exactly in the right place and the very nature of the ease of a relaxed day is where I need to be to move forward with worthwhile work.
So that what I do on the most usual boring day that I have here at Haus of Dada in the dada laboratory. For me, it’s about stretching and nurturing my brain, spirit, imagination and physical body. And a commitment to myself to continually strive to find my most authentic voice.
I’m going to read this over and call it a day. At least I think so right now… I do like to keep regular hours to not burn out. Making only films I used to think “regular hours” were 12 hours to 18 hours a day seven days a week. Six to eight hours a day will ultimately yeild more creative output than pushing hard and crashing periodically like I used to.
I just remembered another two performance based art installations I was involved in. I can’t believe I forgot about Kent Monkman’s The Art Game. I was the most prolific artist in the world. Fun! I think every artist/ craftsperson/ maker of things should make a master list like I am to remember all their work no matter how big or small.
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Yours truly and appreciatively
Lisa Anita Wegner.

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May 4, 2013 an invitation: spark something

Mighty Brave Productions

the dufferson herman arts umbrella

haus of dada presents: TH3 MOM3NT FAKTORY

Three Queens Productions

lisa anita wegner

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a delightful slate of digital art, fine art, video, documentary, post production photography, performance art and film projects

if you are inclined to collaborate creatively please be in touch with the haus

pensive

February 25, 2013 inHaus creative team & the Exhaustion Hole


this is what i need to make stuff

this is what i need to make stuff

dear exhaustion: you can be a bit overbearing, like a parent grounding me when i have to rehearse and perform the lead in the school play. i appreciate the message but sometimes i have deadlines. but you know what exhaustion?  i appreciate you telling me to ease off.  even though it took about ten people’s help and you didn’t go easy on me, i managed to get everything done,  with one day to spare.  by next week the reno on my space should be finished and that will be like heaven on wheels. greased lighting wheels.  right now i am living in a cloud of construction dust, workman, cables, floor glue, and fumes. unable to locate anything and dogs barking at every workman move. that’s exhausting on it’s own.

dear ice: please cut me some slack especially when there is water on top. you’re slippery and i’m tired. i can’t fall anymore so i’m just taking main road. thanks i know you didn’t mean it.

dear technology:  i want to thank you for being my in house creative team. thank you for  always being available to me and for knowing my own creative brain . without you i wouldn’t be so creatively free.

dear brain injury you are a worthy opponent: you can kick my ass any day. any stress (physical illness, tiredness, over working) is compounded exponentially from the divine straight to the ridiculous. the trick my body is to shut my cognition down one level at a time. so  when i’m exhausted  the world doesn’t make a lot of sense. numbers, letters, sequences, passwords, phone numbers, questions, lists, addresses all lose their meaning. i feel that people are asking me things but the signal is interrupted.  just general thought process becomes extremely difficult. an example:  a task that i do every day like brushing my teeth: find tooth brush, find toothpaste, put the paste on the brush, run under tap, brush rinse what now what? ok done. these steps become challenges in themselves. preparing my toothbrush can take twenty minutes and then i’m literally in tears from the effort.

so this gets tricky when i have to keep on top of deadlines. especially because my tricky brain is shutting down and my tricky body is also trying to stop me: shooting adrenaline like i have to fight a bear.  the general tasks to run a body (eating hygiene etc) take it all out of me.  this last month i had several screenings, an larger art/film/fashion installation is starting up production, i have art showing next week and a speaking engagement. my  biggest fantasy is a day off with no workman in my house. a sleep in without wild barking at the work. being able to go to a social event without falling asleep and being able to follow a conversation.  having appetite (my appetite drops out when i have symptoms) is appealing too.

but after what felt like endless dark tunnel of tired, today there was a crack of light. after doing a few tasks and then walking tanner,  i didn’t feel like i’d run a marathon. my brain wasn’t thinking through glue. my body is only aching a burning a medium amount!  and i don’t feel overwhelmed with every tiny task. ahhh a type of heaven. it’s not the coolest feeling needing to be taken care of: not very empowering. i needed to make sure i was fed and driven to meetings and then home again. it’s hard to ask for help, especially with the basics of living.

on a side note, i am chuffed that google has accepted my work space as a “living modern art museum”  and am continually glad despite my life being such a challenge by creative brain is on fire. writing this has been tiring but i did it.

for those who follow me on facebook you can see that the harder a time i’m having, the more creative output i have. i update there everyday http://www.facebook.com/lisaanitawegner here is some stuff that got me though the last weeks: mouth music mashup

come here me speak march 6th in toronto.  “How Art Saved My Life” this week: http://wonderwomenworld.tumblr.com/Wonderfest

i feel my thinking slipping and it goes quickly. so i will bid you farewell for now. it’s been nice to be able to talk like this.

special thanks to all those who have gone above  and beyond this last month. you know who you are. thanks for the help, the food and the drives and all the support.

i really couldn’t do it without each and every one of you.

yours till the usa drinks canada dry

lisa

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January 10, 2013 An open love letter

Dear You,

If you are reading this letter, it means that I had the balls to send it. So yay me. I realize today walking in the sun that I was going to write to you. I really don’t know how to say it, so I just will.

I have met someone.

I didn’t mean to, I wasn’t looking, it just happened. It was a perfect storm of connection. It feels big, like I have been grabbed by the heart and the brain and they have my attention. It feels like home. It feels like a tall glass of water to a parched mouth.

I realized stuff about myself: I prefer my shapes asymmetrical and my colours rich. I dig kindness and one on one communication. Meditating is my second favourite altered state and drinking coffee is my second favourite activity. I can’t get enough of hanging out with dogs and children because they are present and alive and understand the importance of fun. I declare myself a hedonistic nerd with a wild side and untamed creative drive. I trip all the time and bang into things- I’m awkward and enthusiastic. When I’m stressed I can’t eat and when I’m calm I can eat a lot. I can find myself and lose myself in my work and strive for excellent. Being in a good mood is a choice I make hundreds of times a day. I love sleeping, stretching and lounging. Authentic words, images and stories are my thing. I want to shave half my head and paint a mural on my wall.  I like some video games and can drink beer if there is Ginger Ale in it. Lord.  Me me me me. This letter is packed with self indulgent douchbaggery!

If my tongue in cheek isn’t clear: I am entering an intimate relationship with myself. I am going to practise the habit of choosing the best for me. And that is my new place of emergence. I think everybody  should snack on some radical self love and acceptance.

This post is an homage to Hank Moody’s letter to Karen in the second season of Californication. (I want to open the flow my creative tap and make/try/play with as many ideas as I can.  Blogging: where so much is written, yet so little is said. Written by so many read by so few.)

2013 is going to be the best year yet, I can feel it in my bones.

Unfaithfully yours, Lisa Anita Wegner

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December 11, 2012 nothing to see here

that kind of woman   and so the time comes again, the scotiabank nuit blanche art installation applications are due next monday at midnight. the exact minute that i will be doing my first live pixel painting projection at the drake hotel.  i am very much looking forward and here are the first images i have to show. i love being transparent with how my stuff comes together so i’m posting some steps of the work. i am excited to work with mr. brock mills at pixel flex and figure out the best use of the LED fabric. the idea really came to life when vanessa wishart of vicerra couture designed the gown for me. we will be making a patchwork of fabrics from other recycled gown and she captured the look i was hankering for. her idea to make it larger than life was when it was born.

this installation has morphed several times since it’s inception. originally called “marry the night” and then “i f##k like a man” i knew i wanted to play with the idea of the enormous fairy tale gown and i know i wanted to comment on my own sense of femininity. having been called a bad example of a woman and a bad feminist  i want to respond with this installation now called: “a woman like that “. with vanessa’s design, i thought i wanted to simplify the video content on the screen and decided to stick with representing myself through videos of different sets of legs. i am fascinated by how little you have to show to get a vibe, an image, a point across. i want to find the perfect legs/ shoes/ pants/ skirts/ walking attitudes for the video panel.

i believe i will stay with the soundtrack (those are speakers on the sides) “marry the night” by lady gaga. a mashup of the song, around lyrics and the low growling sounds.

i love the absurd, so the body proportions being off kilter struck my fancy. i am quite stoked to wear (or rather walk into) the gown. twelve hours is going to be quite something. although nothing compared to the great art installation at the moma “the artist is present”.

i am happy to have re-used my flight overalls from the film “from desert to dessert” (and my cowboy town boots from that same project) and add a gold belt and gold lettering as my costume/ uniform.  i have played around and preset my favourite effects for a good live art video hoedown for the aforementioned drake hotel event, elvis monday.

because of an unfortunate arts and crafts in my kitchen circumstance my hands and feet are covered with little cuts from broken glass. doesn’t affect editing or shooting but does hurt when holding dog leashes. sad face.

as i’m putting my installation together i realize i have to figure out how to edit video into unusual shapes and aspect ratios. hmmm, there is some noodling there. ow the glass cuts are bugging me. and so the working magic begins. i sound like an elf.

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here is a sample of my video pixel painting video link: beer store improv #2

yours until the usa drinks canada dry,

lisa anita wegner

October 23, 2012 If I had six arms

After 24 days of not having my laptop, today was the first day i had no meetings or plans but to catch up on all the emails in my inbox. Aand deliver some art that was sold months ago. I wanted to start shaping and planning my two new projects and say hello to out of touch patrons, friends and work folks.  Instead I’m intending to mail the art. And I am going to think about what I’m going to say to everyone because this computer is not thrilling me.

September 5, 2012 rethink possible: as nuit blanche draws near

a migraine got me off track yesterday and unravelled my thinking by the afternoon. although i did get some sound creative work and some networking done early in the day. i am trying to get used to relaxing in to the cognitive unravelling and enjoy it. sometimes a few hours sometimes a few days- i am lost in the moment. now don’t get me wrong, i couldn’t be happier to have found the ability to live in the moment  that fully and now i have to blend that wonderful childlike space (which can be productive) with being reliable and deadline able. i realize this will be easier once i have more full time help again. having a place to work has really has helped and it will be christmas every day when I get back to my old production office life. i know how to streamline things now and i feel like my time will be so much better spent.

so this morning i felt clear, but my production to do lists were alphabet soup. i had a sense of the work i have to do. my next step is drinking water and i entered an online art contest- there is nothing like making a pixel painting to clear my mind. i entered a stock photo contest on deviantART.com. ok that is made and entered and i feel more clear.

last night after relaxing and a long walk, after not thinking about deadlines at all, i thought about my list and i had clear sense of everything i needed to do for the projects. simple avenues to get to the final product. next steps, who to talk to and what to do. alleluja. right now, not so much. but i know it’s there.

i just had an idea of how to keep the workflow going. i am going to think on it. i will meet with my PM sarah and download into her again to refresh and now i can give her financial info to keep things moving without me. and last time i did that i was very productive afterward. i think the human connection helps to ground my thinking. i have phone calls to make to schedule the last of my trauma therapy but phone calls are not the thing to move me forward right now. man. although i think i will drink another glass of water, stretch, look at my list so it can percolate and then procure some food. i’ll listen to some music and take it from there.

by the end of the day i will have accomplished some list items. i can smell it in the air and taste it my coffee.

lisa anita wegner

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August 27, 2012 using daily art and introspection to remodel my brain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

today i have a list of tasks to do for my films and for my upcoming art installation. this morning i realized my brain was not in place to do this. after a long work week last week and judging an art competition on the weekend i could feel my cognition slip and no matter how many times it happens, it is still scary. i know i have to not fight it, relax, do what i can and let it come back. in a fews hours of slipping cognition my body starts shooting adrenaline from the fear and badda boom i’m slipping in and out of crippling panic. sometimes i can’t breathe and get a cold sweat. once that happens i have to go back to basics and breathe. then the extreme fatigue sets in. then i have to talk myself through a few rituals; making coffee; brushing my teeth; showering, walking my dogs; making art. i have realized it’s impossible to think myself out of the hole, but i can focus on other things that grab me. i have found documentaries on brain, communication and consciousness and art can grab me.

because i am now working with a deadline i have to make my day work and then preparing my brain to do my tasks then becomes my work. the stress of not having the cognitive abilities to do simple things, while there is a deadline… can be… well deadly.

first of all the other day i decided to bring on an experienced production manager named sarah. this on the whole was a nice big step toward productivity because once i have downloaded the project into her brain (her expression) then i have another knowledgable problem solver with me. in the past weeks i have tried to set up a volunteer to help me but it ended up being too stressful for my current situation.

so today i have a short list of tasks (financing and creative) and at the moment they are written down on a list and as i’ve been working my way out of my brain hole, some solutions have already come to mind. right now they are fuzzy but i trust they are there. this manoeuver is basically an act of faith. it helps for me to picture the event im working toward, visualize the films looking gorgeous and sounding sharp. and the event going silky smooth and inspiring people.

then i made a picture of how i feel right now. this morning’s picture is called signal interrupted for obvious reasons. and then i decided to write this blog. i feel like i am both parent and toddler. i need to be entertained and distracted and then be ready and focused when my brain is prepped.

i need to stay in the moment and not look at the time. i need to know that i can do this and the pathway i have found through art making and now blogging is the safest way through.

the good thing is that once i can rig jig my brain to be able to do my tasks, i am so focussed that i go through them quickly and deliberately simply. and once i get through the list the relief feels like christmas morning.

i’m going to make some more art to figure out where i am at now. and then i can sneak the work in. i have been at this process figuring out a systematic approach for years now and this is the first larger scale project that i have taken on since getting sick in 2008.

i feel this is the path i will take to get back into full time film production, while it can be a tiring amount of work it actually steam lines things for me. i do think i need a full time volunteer assistant until i can bring someone onboard full time.

yay the ever changing brain,

lisa anita wegner

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