this page was last updated
July 9, 2003
Peace
Tapestry:
vigor, no rigor
by Miriam Stucky
AFTER TAKING IN the artistic offerings of last week’s Peace
Tapestry, I’m dis-inclined to ever again give peace a chance.
The performances showed heart, but not much more. Why do people
think that performers, often with little experience, too much room
and too little direction might come up with worthwhile art? Making
watchable, thought-provoking, mature, crafted, attention-keeping
art is obviously not easy.
The Peace Tapestry isn’t the first effort to suffer from this malaise.
I’ve had similar issues with some of Peterborough
New Dance’s Emergency series, and the occasional
24hour theatre project.
Sure, daring is to be commended, but so is humility.
If the focus of an action/event like the Peace Tapestry is process,
that’s fine, but please keep it to yourselves until it’s ready to
air.
What’s to like about 15 minutes of non-sencical ranting, rumbling,
screechy monologue? What makes performers with negligible experience
and apparently little rehearsal think an audience is keen for a
20 minute presentation? Why sing four songs that sound the same?
Good will is no substitute for structure, process, critique and
re-working. I live for being impressed or moved by this kind of
stuff, and I’ve seen enough amazing shows* here that I’m not interested
in pandering to the take-all-comers, fourth grade pageant "isn’t
it nice what local people come up with" standard any longer.
Organizing shit like this is a huge job, and includes not only
coming up with a good idea, setting a date, and drawing people in,
but making sure there are parameters, support and something of a
focus so that people can create substantial, watchable work.
Thanks to Shelagh Young for the title.
*A few five star works that come to mind include Kate
Story & Ryan Kerr’s recent Emergency piece
Snow Day, Leigh MacDonald & Kim Allen’s
offering in last summer’s Alley Waltz. And the opening slides
of the Peace Tapestry orchestrated by Danielle Raymond showed
real merit and care.
|
