Zen and the Art of the Arts
September 11 - October 2, 2009
Visual, Verbal, Musical, Martial...
The Atlanta Soto Zen Center is pleased to announce its first annual
exhibit and sale of art works along with a series of performances
celebrating
the venerable tradition of Zen’s relationship to the arts.
The plastic and performing arts have greatly benefitted from
association with Zen, both in the East and in the West, the latter
often experiencing a revival following an infusion of the influence of
Eastern philosophy. Zen is becoming mainstream in the new and
emerging American culture, but its effect is perhaps not as obvious
today as in periods of the past. We hope to celebrate and make this
symbiosis more evidentto all, and gladly invite you to join with us in
that endeavor.
Our goal is to mount an inspirational, annual arts festival that will
enhance recognition and garner support for the arts, as well as to
raise awareness of Zen and the local centers of the STO network. In
doing so, we hope to foster a lively dialog within the larger arts
community. The exhibit will form an appropriate backdrop to
performances such as poetry reading, martial arts, music, traditional
arts of the East, maybe even a standup comic or two, who perhaps
represent the closest thing to a Zen master that the West has to offer.
It’s all Zen!We will be featuring artwork from local artists and
members of our
affiliate zennetwork at the center. The gallery will be open Thursday
through Saturday from 11am through 5pm.
Performances are scheduled Friday evenings and Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The opening party (Friday September 11) and closing party (Friday October 2) will include an open bar and hors d'ouvres.
Featured Artists
The artistsof Zen & the Art of the Arts were invited and juried by the distinguished museum directors:
Ms. Annete Cone-Skelton, Director, MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART OF
GEORGIA
and
Mr. Lloyd Nick, Director, OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY MUSEUM OF ART
The artwork displayed at the ASZC gallery represents the jurors’ selection from hundreds of submissions. The Artist Statements and description of their work are provided in the show program to allow you to better understand and appreciate the relationship of the art and the artist to Zen or Buddhism.
These two and three dimensional artworks include work from: Eric
Beck, Patricia Bralley, Lee Brannan, Meghan Dorward, Michael Elliston,
Adrian Fish, Sara Hendrix, Kazuo Hira, Frederic Lecut, Beth Lilly,
April Marten, Linda Mitchell, Mary Anne Mitchell, Francois Ouellette,
Junco Sato Pollack, Michael Reese, Hannah Skoonberg, Tesshin James
Smith, Richard Solomon, Martha Stiles, Michael West, Dedric
Whittington, Lee Whittle.
Performers
 |
Zentropy -
The name says it all.
Sometimes the
zen of the moment takes the sound into exciting directions, but often,
the order and structure will break down and transform itself as entropy
takes it's toll. Such is the nature of live improv, and such is the
nature of Zentropy. Keyboardist Allen Welty-Green, bassist Jim Cotton
and drummer Davis Petterson. It's improvised but is it jazz? It's
spacey but is it jam? Listen and decide for yourself! website... Appearing Friday 9/11 and 10/2. |
 |
Esteban Anastasio is
the
director of the Childbloom Guitar Program at his own private
teaching studio 'The Apollo Conservatory'. Esteban also is a very
active performer and studio engineer. While maintain an incredibly
demanding classical guitar repertoire, Esteban also enjoy playing
extreme electric "stunt" guitar craziness made famous by players like
Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Eddy Van Halen, and others. Also very well
educated in Jazz, Esteban enjoys to emulate the styles of Wes
Montgomery, John McLaughlin, Grant Greene, and others. website... Appearing Saturday 9/12. |
 |
Halucination
Sextet - Electroacoustic music and poetry featuring two live
performers: Dick Robinson (website)
and Jerry Cullum;
and four virtual performers. Appearing Sunday 9/13. |
 |
Schwarzkommando
is guitarist Michael Goldman, drummer Kelly Shane and
bassist Andy Tegethoff. All three are Atlanta music scene
veterans and have performed in a wide variety of contexts with a wide
variety of musicians. They began to play together as
Schwarzkommando 2 years ago to explore improvisational and arty rock
using the texts of novelist Thomas Pynchon as lyrics and the Oblique
Strategy Cards as compositional tools.website... Appearing Friday 9/18. |
 |
Fredric LeCut presently
holds
a 4th degree Black Belt in Yoshukai Karate and a 2nd degree Black
Belt in Nihon Ju Jitsu. He also holds a degree in Koho Shiatsu
(Japanese Acupressure) and teaches in Dothan, Alabama. He will
demonstrate Iai Jutsu and Tai Chi Forms and teach basic Chi Gong, Tai
Chi and Shiatsu. website... Appearing Saturday 9/19 and Sunday 9/20. |
 |
Don Hassler (website...)
and
Dick Robinson will
present
a work of
free
running, self playing electronic sound work utilizing
Symbolic Sound's Kyma System and a Buchla 200e modular electronic
music instrument. Appearing Friday 9/25. |
 |
Local
singer/songwriter/keyboardist/guitarist
Heidi Pollyea (website)
and
actress/singer/percussionist Towanna
Stone (website)
have
recently
teamed up for a new musical collaboration. Their songs are a
mix of originals and originally done covers, featuring lush
melodies, tight harmonies and soulful grooves. They are sure to have
something for everyone so don't miss this great new act. Appearing Friday 9/25. |
 |
Chicken Little Duo sings
folk
songs like they're punk songs, and punk songs like they're folk
songs. They write spirituals to be protest songs, and protest songs to
be broken hearted love ballads.
website... To be rescheduled. |
 |
Kate Morrissey’s music
finds
its way into the honest, vulnerable parts within all of
us. She is perfectly at home behind her piano, but
Morrissey is best known throughout this corridor for her “strong,
almost acrobatic vocal style,” the range and control of which stands on
its own. Backed by Charles Harvey on upright bass and cello and
John Norris on drums and guitar, the music is nothing short of
delicious. Beyond their uniquely rich sound, Morrissey’s literate
and playful lyrics stand up to multiple listenings. She keeps
their live shows funny, laid back, and joyful. And, as an added
bonus, she is a long-term Zen practitioner, which infuses her music
with that influence. website... Appearing Saturday 9/26. |
 |
Jules and the Gents
- Performing Jazz standards from the 1920-60's this trio has a
unique take on swing while maintaining the integrity of the songs.
Julie Stein aka "Jules" leads the group with soulful vocals, delightful
flute, sassy saxophone and beautiful stage presence. The very
talented Bassist Dave Powell delights the lower chakra with powerful
walking or even bowed up right bass. Drum master Don Whitaker drives
the rhythm with unique depth and feel for a truly energy filled and
amazing musical experience website... Appearing Sunday 9/27. |
Schedule
| DATE | EVENT | TIME |
| SEPTEMBER | ||
| Friday 11 | Duo Instrumentals - “Zentropy” Opening party, bar & snacks |
7:00-9:00 pm |
| Saturday 12 | Gallery Open Music - Esteban Anastasio |
11:00-5:00 pm 3:00-4:00 pm |
| Sunday 13 | Music, Poetry - "Halucination Sextet" |
2:00-4:00 pm |
| Thursday 17 |
Gallery Open |
11:00-5:00 pm |
| Friday 18 | Gallery Open | 11:00-5:00 pm |
| Music - “Schwartzkommando” | 7:00-9:00 pm |
|
| Saturday 19 | Gallery Open | 11:00-5:00 pm |
| Sword / Tai-chi Class - Fred Lecut | 2:00-3:00 pm |
|
| Sunday 20 | Sword / Tai-chi Class - Fred Lecut | 2:00-3:00 pm |
| Thursday 24 |
Gallery Open |
11:00-5:00 pm |
| Friday 25 | Gallery Open | 11:00-5:00 pm |
| Music: Don Hassler & Dick Robinson | 7:00-8:00 pm |
|
| Music: Heidi Pollyea & Towwana Stone | 8:00-9:00 pm |
|
| Saturday 26 | Gallery Open |
11:00-5:00 pm |
| Music - “Kate Morrisey Band” | 2:00-3:00 pm |
|
| Sunday 27 | Shanti's Dance Trio Music: Jules and The Gents |
2:00-4:00 pm |
| OCTOBER | ||
| Thursday 1 |
Gallery Open |
11:00-5:00 pm |
| Friday 2 | Gallery Open |
11:00-5:00 pm |
| Trio Instrumentals - “Zentropy” Closing party, bar & snacks |
7:00-9:00 pm |
|