Since grad school ended, I have been spending considerably less time on the trapeze. It's unfortunate because working with the low-flying traps is kind of like dance without the constraint of gravity. Oh, the places you can go while suspended from a fixed point in an empty studio.

So while I was out in Denver shooting some shows, I stopped in for an evening to see the first year grad students working on their movement project - it's that time of year when they are creating their own pieces [this year it's based on the poetry of Byron] and receiving private tutorials and coaching by head of movement Bob Davidson. During the half hour that I was in the studio two first year students had hung a plank and made a sort of glorified swing that was the platform for their piece. It was very simple, clean, and intensely sensual. Just beautiful.

Bob is an absolutely incredible teacher offering insight, demonstration, and guidance while allowing these pieces to evolve naturally from the students' minds. If you are in the Denver area, I highly recommend getting out to see the project. For information on times, contact Jen, the registrar.

seek the joy

eric

A boy has no business having feelings

To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

       -Macbeth [V,v]

What do you think about when you hear the word bread?

For most of you it's probably not art but just hear me out for a lil bit here. A few weeks ago I went in to A&J King Artisan Bakers to shoot a story. I didn't know what the story was or what it should look like - basically I went in without any preconceived notions at all. I certainly didn't expect it to be a story about art. At first I was thinking 'Andy begins baking just past the witching hour, maybe I'll shoot a story about the tireless efforts of a small bakery owner.' Then I thought, 'Maybe I'll just shoot a series of portraits of Andy doing his thing.' I had other ideas revolving around all sorts of different things but decided that instead of going in, looking for that story, and shooting it - I would just go and shoot and see what came out of it. I figured, if nothing else, we all can grow to at least have a little appreciation for where our handmade food comes from and what exactly goes into it. I started shooting at around 2:30am or so [I think... I was a little groggy] and wrapped at 10am. What ended up coming out was sort of this hybrid portrait story of Andy and his breads...

Cultures are often times defined by their food and just like cinema, theatre, music, and art it strengthens cultural identities and aids in the preservation of tradition and legacy. At the most basic of everything is bread. Every culture has their own bread and it tells a different story of history. What Andy, Jackie, and all the bakers at A&J King Artisan Bakers do is elevate their craft much more beyond providing sustenance. It's an art form all to itself. He's like a painter with his lamé. A conductor with his peel. Seeing a true artisan baker in action is something that I hope you will all someday get a chance to do.

In the meantime, stop by A&J King Artisan Bakers and treat yourself to a work of art. You'll never buy bread from anywhere else again.