The NYC disability and arts community is invited to participate in the creation of a large "dream puppet"
August 4 - 14 in a community garden in NYC. The project, led by disability puppetry artist Marina Tsaplina, is in partnership with Orion Magazine for their upcoming special issue on disability/culture/ecology.
The issue will include works by disability artists, activists and writers such as Alice Wong, Sunaura Taylor, Glenis Redmond, and many others. The puppet will be the cover image for the December issue, and there will be an in-depth article on the project.
All participants will be credited in the work if they would like to be. On August 15, the puppet will travel to be temporarily installed in an old-growth forest in the Yaak Valley, Montana. This ancient forest is under threat of being cut down, but caretakers of the forest are working to get the area designated as a "climate refuge." This artistic project is a statement from the disability community to say "we are here, connected to this earth, and we will be here in the future."
The NYC disability and arts community is invited to help create 100 flowers and plants from silk, linen and glue ("fabric mache"). The flowers will form parts of the body of the puppet. The flowers we create will be based on those native to the Yaak Valley and forest. Our puppet will be a protector of the forest, a symbol of the strength and creative brilliance of the disability community, and an action of hope and belief for a livable future for all of us. No prior experience is necessary.
COVID Safety for puppet and flower making in the garden: We will be working creatively outside and socially distanced, at community garden El Jardin del Paraiso. Masks will be encouraged.
ADDRESS: The garden is just to the right of 309 E. 4th street (between Ave C-D), Manhattan.
The days and times are: Wednesday Aug 4: 12 - 8 p.m. Thursday Aug 5: 12 - 8 p.m. Friday Aug 6: 12 - 8 p.m. Saturday Aug 7: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday Aug 8: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday Aug 9: 12 - 8 p.m. Tuesday Aug 10: 12 - 8 p.m. Wednesday Aug 11: 12 - 8 p.m. Thursday Aug 12: 12 - 8 p.m. Friday Aug 13: 12 - 8 p.m.