What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1344568
Milk and Honey On being part of OZCast: At the time [we were approached] Ashley [Kaye] (She/her) was finishing graduate school and Robert [Gordon] (They/them) had to give up their studio because of financial trouble due to the pandemic, so the money was very helpful. Collaboration is at the heart of our practice, and our work has really evolved during quarantine, so to be a part of this new project that was also born out of this chaotic time felt like a great fit. Our work ended up being perfect for the theme "Inhabit," not only because we are making the work in our apartment, but are at times responding directly to the domestic. On their inspirations for their piece "Cultivating Mass": Rob was inspired by a quote from "How We Fight for Our Lives," the memoir of poet Saeed Jones, about how homophobia becomes an internalized structure in your body, "something to hang all that meat on." The bologna, Rob's childhood favorite, in the context of the video, becomes a stand-in for anxieties around body image and self-expression. We had experienced sexism in the context of our collaborative work and the work of others, and knew that we wanted to obscure our identities behind the beige suits, and behind the name Milk and Honey. Rather than defaulting to the patriarchal reading of the work as Rob's work that Ashley's helping with, as well as challenging assumptions around making such as the use of textiles as being feminine, adding fantastical elements helps create a space where expression of identity, gender and creativity can run amok. On other works that have actualized in the past year: We had a piece at Paradise Palace in Brooklyn, N.Y., for their exhibition "Primordial Soup," on view through Nov. 21. Our work was featured as part of the digital Inverse Performance Festival at the Momentary Nov. 13-15. We also have images in Soft Lightning Vol. 2, a zine of contemporary photography. We are also working on a few items that we will sell on our website including bags, small sculptures, prints, etc. Find Milk and Honey's current projects, and their individual work, at MindofMilkandhoney.com, AshleyKaye.net, Robertpgordon. com, and on Instagram @mindofmilkandhoney, @ashkaye8, @robgordon87. Robyn Jordan On her involvement with OZCast: The conversations that I had with the operators at CACHE were very fruitful and productive. They caused me to feel excited and inspired, not only because I felt seen, being chosen to share my gift of dance and music, but because I had been waiting so long for a resource to propel creatives forward in Northwest Arkansas. I felt supported, and I felt like each person I spoke with understood the challenges I faced when developing this project. What I submitted was a good fit in my opinion because it is a raw, authentic piece and the message "Made To Be Great" is an affirmation that I feel we must all affirm, especially Black people and people of color. On her piece "Made To Be Great": I had a bunch of ideas that I wanted to explore; however, I had criteria to meet like using music/content that would prevent us from getting into copyright issues. Seeing that as a minor obstacle to execute my original vision, I remembered I had written a song a few years ago and knew I had the rights to use it. I wanted to stay true to who I am and saw the message in the song was the right fit. After listening to it a couple times I knew that I could put together something special and organic with the message to strive for greatness through the vehicle of dance. Accompanied by two talented dancers, I wanted each person's individuality to be displayed and also show the power and joy in unity. On participating in a new and collaborative outlet: As an artist in Northwest Arkansas and especially during this time, it confirmed to me that this is only the beginning. To be seen and blessed for my talents has been a long-term vision for me. Though this was super beneficial during this time of several national crises and a global pandemic, my gratitude runs deep to be acknowledged and so importantly, compensated in this way. As I said, I have been waiting for a platform to act as a resource for artists and creatives in Northwest Arkansas. I am thankful that I stayed grounded here to see and experience it. Follow Jordan's next moves at her Instagram @rhythymrob. FEBRUARY 28-MARCH 6, 2021 WHAT'S UP! 11 FEATURE Jordan Self-taught choreographer and dancer Robyn Jordan is currently "curating and developing more experiences where people can feel seen and represented, feel safe being who they are, and get active and energized whether it be through videos and/ or upcoming classes and workshops." Her OZCast-featured work, "Made To Be Great," supports that vision of empowering others to strive for greatness. (Courtesy Photo/ CACHE)