Art Blog

Photograph above and by Arnhel de Serra.
After starting my PhD it seems like most people I was keen to get on with life, to get on with exploring, learning, breathing, performing and travel. My work continued throughout lockdown, the rabbit made many appearances. My front garden became a public gallery, a space for installations, a focal point for locals to head to see what was different.

And now its 2023 and we are all still catching up with ourselves, still readjusting to the effect that the pandemic has had on our lives. As a researcher, I am seeing the world differently, and having a new focus in my life has helped a lot. Feeling part of an inclusive research community, engaging with a humans in real time has been so important.

Over the past few months I have managed to engage with the public through live performance and exhibitions, exploring what a practice based research looks like, as well as collaborating with many other students in taking part in an exhibition for diversity week. Where I have been collaborating with a photographer called Arnhel de Serra, who has been documenting my live actions over the past year. This has been an amazing collaboration, which has taken us both into new ways of exploring our work. Also we have managed to combine our collaboration in two exhibitions this years, which has been well received. As a performer it is so difficult to document what I do, so to have someone working with me, I see what I do from another perspective and another view point.
I have no idea what the future holds and where I will be in 2025 when my research is due to end, but to be honest I am in not hurry for it to end.

This year I hope to pick up some travelling and due a trip to Serbia where I have been performing since lockdown in 2020, somehow I have managed to get over during brief moments of lockdown being lifted. I have been working with the performance organisers of IMAF (International Multi media Art Festival) where I curate the old motel outside the village of Odzaci, where we meet up with invited international artists from many countries.
Though I would love to return to Pakistan and travel to various other European countries and hope that other festivals reach out. Generally this year has been quite packed, full of projects, too many to mention. However I was honoured to be asked to make more of my hybrid costumes for a music video by the group called Shriekback, for one of their songs on their album called Wolfmand Whinesplane. It was an amazing experience of being part of, and also it pushed me to my limits of my making skills.

CREATIVE

BREAKING FREE

Over the past eight months I have been looking into creating a new hybrid creature, inspired by mythology, especially the mythology of the rabbit.

The Hybrid creature has become a new focus, linked to my research.

Above image as work in progress. I took a latex mask and built it up using fur from old vintage coats.

The new mask.

Still wearing the commercial costume of white rabbit.

As part of the hybrid creature, I made a shrine to all rabbits and hares, which was part of a short film I made in Norfolk at the Warreners Lodge in Thetford.

The Warreners Lodge.

Another hybrid creature, new performance performed in Novi Sad in Serbia September 2021.

I came across a Blacksmith in Novi Sad, we were shown around his workshop.

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As part of a local project in partnership with the Old Sorting Office "OSO" Art centre, based on Barnes Green. I had designed A4 sheets of how to make fairy furniture, so decided from there, that my next garden installation should be a fairy garden. I found a company called the Willow Farm in Yorkshire that grows Willow, so ordered two hundred rods, which at the time seemed a lot, but when you are weaving with it, it doesn't.

I made my order on line, and five days later it arrived on my doorstep. If I am honest, I am not good with maths, so could not visualise what I had ordered. The Willow came in a wrapped pack, it was smaller than I thought, but for the project in mind, it was the perfect size.

I had been impatient and tried to weave with it straight away, but it was a bit brittle. I soaked in the bath for two days, which made the willow soft and easy to use.

The first object I made was the fairy bed, but because I was initially impatient, the will snapped, it was difficult to work with, but as I waited, once it soaked, it became easier to work with.

The next stage was making the fairy chair, which I found it far much easier to work with soaked willow. Now chair and bed was completed, now to make a fairy table.

It was a pleasure to work on the table, though it took quite a while, being in the front garden, lots of people stopped to chat, and I explained that was willow, and it should grow. Lots of families asking lots of questions, which I was happy to answer.

Next step was the fairy dome, which brought back memories of making dome structures in Pennant Valley in Wales, but this was on a smaller scale.

A week later the garden had taken shape and had come alive. People were visiting it every day to watch the process. It me realize that it isn't often the public get to see the process of an installation and what is involved, the hours of work and the patience, even in the rain. I did have a shell with fruit on the fairies table, but it got stolen. It is sad really, but I can't do anything and refuse to police it, as it changes the concept of it, anyway I just need to keep it organic. In time by Spring if all goes well the Willow should start sprouting and grow leaves, which I hope they as this will really change the experience of the garden. I think this is the last installation for a while, as I cant deal with things being stolen. It is sad who ever is stealing from the garden is really stealing from themselves.

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Post card art

3/5/2021

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In 2020 I exhibited at Cafe Godard gallery, which has a small gallery, where I also performed in collaboration with Kosaka Mayu the owner. I have been performing with Kosaka for about seven years, where we have done many collaborations in Tokyo. Kosaka has been putting on mail art exhibitions for many years, which I think they started back in the seventies. I took part in my first mail art exhibition in 2014 in Tokyo and also in 2018 in Sweden.

The Mail art, is open to whatever the artist wants to create and then its sent to the destination, in this case, the art was sent to Japan. For my cards I used paper card, then cut small A6 cardboard and glued them on. The art itself is is a splash of colour, but also it is the act of stamping and posting, the action of sending art through a postal system, leaving it to go on its own journey, they could get lost or damaged. I always love taking part in these exhibitions as it gives me a lot of freedom to have a lot of fun. I received the instruction to create ten card and then post them. I will be exhibiting with another artist, who is Japanese, but because of Covid she is for the time being stuck in the UK.

See below the invitation:
I’m planning an exhibition with Daijo ,at the Cafe GODARD gallery.
Mr.Spike,please join the exihibition.
I’m in England いまイギリスにいます。
‥‥British post card Exhibithon‥‥ ‥‥英国のポストカード展‥‥
MAIL ART
Paintings:Daijo ,Spike Mclarity
Send a picture of the size of the postcard.
Please send about 10 cards by mail.
Mayu Kosaka
Cafe GODARD gallery

Each piece is filled with colour and is unique

Using acrylic and then varnished the final dried piece

The next step once the mail art is dried and varnished is a trip to the post off and the iconic red post box

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Tape and make.......

2/14/2021

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Make a fairy table, like the one in the photograph above.

All you need along with masses of imagination, cardboard and masking tape, scissors and acrylic paint. I have tried to show you how to make something so fab, cool and easy to make.

1) measure out the size of your table top. Cut out your basic shape.

2) cut out the base of the table, two long strips and two short strips.

3) start taping the corners of the table base together demonstrated in the photographs above.

4) Tape the base and the the table top together, as demonstrated in photographs above.

5) Paint your table with acrylic, again please do not add water as you are using masking tape. I have kept my colours simple grey and black, but you can be really creative with colours.

6) Cut six long strips and six short strips of cardboard. Don't worry about the size of your seat as this will be cut into shape later. Tape the base of the seat to the back as shown in the photograph.

7) Use as much tape as you need to make the base secure. Now cut the top of the seat into whatever shape you want, you can repeat this with the other five chairs.

8) Now all your chairs are ready, for the seat base, cut a small piece of carboard and tape it to the seat base. then use your tape to secure it.

9) Now the chairs are ready to paint with any colour. As you can see from the above photographs I have had a lot of fun creating different shapes and using bright colours.

10) Now the fun bit to dress the table. I have a button box I can rake around in and find buttons to make into plates, and other bits and pieces I can set the table with, even a small thimble as a cup.

11) As you can see from the photographs you can be as creative as possible, keep in mind, which fairies are coming to tea?

12) A wizard and a rabbit popped in to test the table for the fairies. What do you think?

And now you are ready to invite your special guests. Remember I have created this out of cardboard, using masking tape and acrylic paint. What will you make next?

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Making with tape and bits

2/12/2021

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In this blog we will look at what you can make with very little material or skill but lots of imagination!

In every house there is normally a box, bag, drawer or cupboard that is full of interesting objects, bits and pieces that no one uses any more. It is in these places that you might find things to make something from. I have a bag of old wooden cutlery, straws , old material, acrylic paints and masking tape. My aim today is to make a bed, a chair and a fairy!

1) I have decided to make a fairy, so I am using an old wooden spoon and fork. As you can see with the above photographs I have split the fork in half just using my fingers, the marked out how to use them for hands and arms.

2) Using masking tape I have joined both ends of the fork together. Take a an old piece of material cut it to size.

3) Tape the arms to the body, use as much tape so it feels strong. Then take your material and fold, cut a small hole so you can slip the head through. Fold in material and tie with some string.

4) take felt pen and draw your fairies face and hair.

5) let make your fairy a bed to sleep in. I have taken some of the broken wooden forks and taped them together, then I cut the ends to make them straight.

6) if you have an old straw, cut into four small pieces, then use your masking tape to start taping the legs to the bed.

7) Once you have all your masking tape on, take your nail and score it, as this will help it to stick to the wood. Take your scissors and cut along the bed ends to prepare them for the head board.

8) Though I am using discarded wooden cutlery, you can use old lolly pop sticks! Take three pieces to create your headboard. Then tape them together, Repeat this again for the foot board.

9) I am gong to paint my bed red, remember do not dilute with water, as this will loosen up the gum on the tape, keep the acrylic as dry as possible. You will find that you won't need a lot.

10) You can paint your pillow and also paint some patterns on the bed cover, also you can paint the legs.

11) Lets now make a chair! Cut up your bits of wood or lollipop sticks, then tape them together as demonstrated in the photographs. Like the bed you can make legs out of straws, which you tape them to the base.

12) You will find masking tape is very easy to work with as you can tear bits off, to stick to the straw and the base until you feel happy with the strength of the chair. Now it is ready for you paint the chair of any colour that appeals to you.

Now you have your fairy bed and chair, and yes the fairy herself. As you can see I have played around with the colours. Remember there is no glue, just masking tape and little bits and pieces. Have fun..What will you make next?

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The making of fairy furniture

2/11/2021

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Bunnies are like cats, they like to get into everything

From Rita Robin to making fairy furniture! As part of the OSO story and treasure hunt, this involves also making some furniture for the fairies to move into their new home. The question I was asked "How do you make fairy furniture?" I did come up with some ideas. For the OSO I have tried to keep it simple.
Here is a visual guide to making a fairy bed and chair.

1) Select your material. "I chose to recycle an old Christmas tree"

2) Strip the excess green off to reveal the wood and clip each end.
(if you are a family making this, do make sure you have an adult to assist with the secateurs)

3) You may need a pair of scissors, some string or thread. (If you are family make sure young children have adult support with using scissors)

4) To make the bed, you need to cut four long pieces of wood and two short pieces of wood as demonstrated in the photograph above.

5) Make the letter H with you six pieces of wood. Remember two long pieces on either side and the short piece goes across as demonstrated. You will need some string or thread.

6) Take your string or thread and tie the pieces of wood together, do not worry at this stage if it feels wobbly, we will sort that out later.

7) At this stage of your bed, get two longer pieces of wood, they can be as long or as short, depending how tall or how small the fairy people are? Tie the longer pieces on to your H at one end and on to the H at the other end.

8) Now that you have the frame of your bed, it is time to add smaller pieces of wood. I have used a glue gun, (if you are a family with small children, please be aware that the glue gun can be quite hot and can burn delicate fingers, so adults only!) You can also go back over the parts of the bed you have tied to add extra strength.

9) Keep gluing all the small pieces of wood until you are happy with the base. I also made a fancy head board, just have fun and add any other features you feel that you want to add.

10) Now its ready. "O' dear here comes that pesky bunny wanting to try out the bed."

11) You may have some off cuts left, why don't you try making a chair! It is exactly the same process as making the bed, as you can see, start with the letter H and then cut the wood to size. Use your glue gun to glue the pieces together, and cut the sizes that you want.

12) Start piecing all the bits of wood together in whatever design you want to make, cut the wood to size. Remember when using the glue gun it can be very HOT!

There is that bunny again! Now you have created both a bed and a chair...What else can you make?

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Rita Robins holiday nest

2/10/2021

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No Its not Rita Robin but hoppy the bunny, checking out Rita's new holiday home.

During the pandemic I have managed to somehow keep active one way or the other, and every so often I get calls from churches, art centres and people who need something made. So I was delighted when I received an email from Jonny at the OSOS art centre. https://www.osoarts.org.uk/

Here is the call out from Jonny:

" We've now developed the story and route for our treasure hunt, so are in a good position to start chatting about how the artworks (and your garden installation) can integrate. The overarching narrative is that the fairy queen has just moved into the OSO, and leads the children on a tour around Barnes Common to meet some of her magical friends, learning about nature on the way. The treasure hunt passes through various checkpoints, each with their own associated character, and ends up back at the OSO, where we will be setting up a 'fairy village' in our outdoor gazebo. The children can make their own furniture for the village at home, and then hang it in the gazebo to contribute to the fairies' home.

The idea with the artwork is that each checkpoint has a piece by a local artist that enhances the imaginative world of the story and strengthens the children's connections between the characters and the physical environment that they are exploring. The treasure map is a physical map collected from the OSO, but the checkpoints and clues themselves are managed digitally - sort of like an audio guide controlled by the parents, but with images that can be viewed on their devices as well.

The artwork for each checkpoint would be viewed digitally via this online guide system, but then be hung physically in a larger print (or weather-proofed canvas) in the gazebo (the fairies' home), so when the children finish the treasure hunt they can see all the artworks in the flesh.

I was wondering if you'd be up for creating one or two of the pieces for the checkpoints? They don't by any means have to be fully fledged works - small sketches are perfect. Though you could take it as far as you wanted to.

Since so much of your artwork is textural/sculptural, there is one checkpoint in particular that would be well suited. By the willow tree on Beverley Brook, Rita the Robin makes the nest for her holiday home. It's next to the fallen willow tree (which perhaps they used to use). Could be a good opportunity for some multi-material nest building work." Jonny

The original idea I had was to make a large nest from various things, then Jonny reminded me it had to be hung in the cafe Gazebo, so I needed to think how it would hang and also easy to move about. Out comes the old wire coat hangers, that have been hanging around doing nothing. Step one make a frame work to work with, that would be strong enough to be handled.

Fortunately my garden has abundance of ivy that I could use. While it had stopped snowing and a little bit of sunshine, it was the right time to get out and get on with it.

I managed to shape the coat hangers (I used two, one for the centre, which is also the hanging piece, and one to support the ivy once I began weaving it.)

Using the wire structure it helps to hold the ivy, especially at the early stages, then just keep weaving to the shape you want it to become.

Since I had a good strong base structure, it made it easy to be quite firm when weaving the ivy, and also to work without any mishaps.

Once I had finished with it, though took some photographs of the rabbit inside the nest to see what it would look like. Having used a coat hanger as the centre core, it made it very easy to carry and also to hang on the trees at the Brook before dropping it off at the OSO art centre.

Do check out their site if you are interested in the many activities that the centre puts on, even through the pandemic, they have been amazing, creating online entertainment, as well as brining artists together through other online projects. I have had so much fun making Rita Robins holiday nest. You can have a go yourself, its a great winter decoration or a garden installation, I did put some coloured lights inside, just to add that magical quality.

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Making of the Doves

2/7/2021

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Doves sitting on the white window at Bonnyrigg parish Church Scotland

Over the years I have been making art out of mdf, so had worked out how to cut, carve, shape, piece together the mdf, transforming it into various pieces. I have also often made things from my local church in London, like camels, St Michael with his sword and not forgetting the dragon. I have been able to make things for the local shelter window, creating various displays.

One Friday evening I had a call from my sister who asked if I would be able to make a Dove for a friend who was part of a team at Bonnyrigg Parish Church, as it was difficult to find a winged Dove. Fortunately earlier in the day I noticed a neighbour was throwing out some mdf, so I knocked on the door and asked if I can have it, which he said yes.

I have always found this is how it works, when I need something to make something it normally comes my way, I have been so fortunate, in this instance it meant I was able to cut a shape of the dove and send a photo that evening, which I got a thumbs up.

Once I worked out the initial shape I decided to make two as doves always comes in pairs. My next step was to then make them stand freely, which was fairly straight forward. I cut a base, then cut a small piece of doweling rod, and drilled a hole at the bottom of the dove and also the based, where I used some wood glue and joined them together. It was a frantic two days in the studio as I was aware they needed them asap.

It was a lot of fun making things again, as I had put making objects on hold during lockdown, as I can be a bit noisy with the drills/jigsaw and hammer, my studio is in the back garden. I am aware that most people are now at home and some neighbours are using their sheds for conference calls. But on this evening, it was fine so I was able to get all the noise out of the way and then spend time working out the size and also how to present them. The problem came when I thought I could spray them, but that never worked, so had to sand them down and start again, but this time using quick drying gloss, being cold it wasn't drying as quick as it would normally. My aim was to get them in the post by Monday.

It seemed I was on track with the doves. The last time I created a dove it was years ago, though I made it as a tapestry for a friend who was a retired nun. There is something beautiful about the dove, it has a spirit, and a magical quality about it no matter what medium you use as an artist to create an image of a dove, it always seem to look like a dove, even if it is just a simple line drawn.

I was obviously enjoying not just the making but also the challenge, as I was aware of a team of ladies in Scotland who have been creating different themed windows at their local church, unaware of the gift that was going to arrive within days of asking for help. That is the power of asking, we sometimes just need to say "I need help". This was an everyday event for me, but for the ladies at Bonnyrigg Parish Church, this would inspire them to continue with their plan for the white window. It becomes a team effort, I was part of the team, even if they didn't know me, this was my contribution to helping the window to become reality.

I was really pleased with the outcome and I know they would be too. This was such a wonderful effortless project to take on, because I was really enjoying the whole process and knowing the happiness that the doves were going to bring.

Now they were ready to fly their way to Scotland from London. I wasted no time so sent them straight off and they arrived the next day. One of the ladies arranged to pick the parcel up over flowing with excitement.

During the pandemic it really has limited our freedom what we can and cannot do, things have changed, so to be able do something different really helps not only just doing something, contributing to an important project. I can imagine it would have made everyone's day when they received the doves, when just days previous they had lost hope on where to find winged flying doves.

The Minister Rev Louise Purden was delighted to see the creation of the window, not only that; I think the story behind it became part of the experience of the window. You can hear her sermon via this link, go to 21 minutes in where Louise talks about how it happened, and you really feel the joy that comes from her heart.

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Islamabad Art Festival Part Two 2019 "IAF19"

1/24/2021

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In part one I tried to capture the experience, this was a festival that had every intention of being present and wasn't going to be ignored, regardless of any local opposition that the organizers and the core team of people involved in making it a reality.

Here is quote from AIF19:

"Islamabad Art Festival a Project of Islamabad Art Festival (SMC – Private) Limited is built upon the foundation of cultural diversity that is so deeply embedded in the land that is now Pakistan, and in the people that are now Pakistani. Art has the unique capability of enabling people to engage intimately with their natural and cultural heritage in a creative and critical manner. The spirit of creativity and innovation brings people together and strengthens society as a whole."

For me the key focus here is "The spirit of creativity and innovation brings people together and strengthens society as a whole." This is what the festival managed to achieve and much more, which the effects are still being felt now in 2021. Unfortunately the festival was cancelled last year due to Covid, but this has not stopped the organizers as they have managed to keep entertainment alive and accessible by holding weekend live streamed jamming and music events.

You go on to the official Hunerkada face book page and like their page to see live stream of current/weekend live performances. https://www.facebook.com/Hunerkada

Above are the flags of the countries that took part, either through performing or contributions of photography/art/sculpture/Lectures and workshops. Turkey, America,France, UK, Canada, Egypt, Denmark, Austria, china, Cuba, Japan, Iran, Indonesia, Germany, Russia, Saudi, Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, Algeria, Brazil, India, Italy, Nepal, Nigeria, Cote de Ivoire, Romania, Kuwait, Sultanate of Oman, Vietnam, Thailand, Sudan, Syria, Palestine.

The hotel I was staying at had an exhibition of Christian religious photographic images from Italy, I came across them by chance while exploring the hotel and its many corridors and shops that are contained within the hotel. So lets focus on three of the diverse range of performances, exhibitions and lectures I came across, as there is just too much to talk about.

I met one of the journalists whom I have got to know more over the past year called Betnai Akhatar Munir (see photo above me with Betnai) Who was very keen for me to meet the Sufi Opera Singer Saira Peters, he went out of his way to get both of us to meet. I was introduced to Saira and her husband Stephen and Saira's father. They also have a house in London. I hadn't heard of Saira's music before, so was totally engaged with the blend of Sufi Opera, which was a new experience.

Photograph above: Me talking to Saira, Saira's father and her husband Stephen, no idea what I was saying, but obviously very engaging.

For information and background of Saira's career please look up her website on:
http://www.sairapeter.org.uk/

I was so fortunate to see Sarah and Stephen perform on stage at the Sir Syed Memorial Society, the sound was seductive, intoxicating and engaging I have never experienced Sufi Opera before. Saira is referred to as one of the worlds first ever Sufi opera singers from Pakistan and visits regularly to perform. I suppose if I hadn't had that chance encounter in my local cafe I wouldn't have ever come across Saira and Stephen, as well as all the other experiences.

At the PNCA exhibition of the work of Jamil Naqsh, I was given a copy of the book Najmi Sura it was an extraordinary gift. After much thought I felt it would be lost on my bookshelf and should be accessible to many other people. I contacted Saira as she is the director of NJ Arts which is a Pakistani Cultural art centre in London. I arranged a visit and met up with Saira and her family and was taken on a tour of the centre. Do check out their website: http://www.njarts.org.uk/ photograph bellow is me presenting the book to Saira at the NJ Arts Centre.

Whirling Darvesh from Turkey.

I had no idea what to expect, my first encounter of the Whirling Darvesh dance was again at the Sir Syed Memorial Society. At the beginning of the performance we were asked not to applaud, not to make any sound and to stay quiet. I was being judgemental in my thoughts, and thought to myself who are these people, I may have been tired but I felt impatient. When the dance started I became more focussed and throughout the performance I was in a trance.

For me it felt like a prayer in motion, I understood how important that we must not clap. It was a beautiful and spiritual experience, it was very emotional and deeply moving. I found the dance took me to another place in time, I lost track of where I was, I found myself rising into a different state of consciousness, it was extraordinary. The quality of the dance was sublime, its slowness invites you in, it takes you by the hand, it leads you to a new place, a new experience. This was Turkey in Islamabad.

I was very fortunate to see the dance a few more times throughout the festival at different locations and each time the experience became much deeper. On my return to London I spoke with a friend who lives locally and is from Turkey he explained to me about the sacredness of the dance and what it meant. Here is some bio about the dance taken from Wikipedia. Do look it up if you want to learn more, its fascination and if you ever get the opportunity to see a live performance do go.

A dervish practices multiple rituals, the primary of which is the dhikr, a remembering of Allah. The dhikr involves recitation of devotional Islamic prayer. This dhikr is coupled with physical exertions of movement, specifically dancing and whirling, in order to reach a state assumed by outsiders to be one of "ecstatic trances".
"In the symbolism of the Sema ritual, the semazen's camel's hair hat (sikke) represents the tombstone of the ego; his wide, white skirt (tennure) represents the ego's shroud. By removing his black cloak (hırka), he is spiritually reborn to the truth. At the beginning of the Sema, by holding his arms crosswise, the semazen appears to represent the number one, thus testifying to god's unity. While whirling, his arms are open: his right arm is directed to the sky, ready to receive god's beneficence; his left hand, upon which his eyes are fastened, is turned toward the earth.

The semazen conveys god's spiritual gift to those who are witnessing the Sema. Revolving from right to left around the heart, the semazen embraces all humanity with love. The human being has been created with love in order to love.

Mevlâna Jalâluddîn Rumi says:
"All loves are a bridge to Divine love. Yet, those who have not had a taste of it do not know!"

Ballet Beyond Borders from America.

I met this group in the first week as we all headed up to the restaurant in the mountains where they were performing along with some of the other artists attending the festival. This was quite an amazing group of people, who danced, sang and who performed what seemed like at almost every venue throughout the festival, there was no stopping this hard working group.

I found an article written about them during their time in Islamabad: (https://www.rmbt.org/bbb-press/2020/1/28/usa-artists-group-ballet-beyond-borders-mesmerized-audience-at-islamabad-art-fest )

"ISLAMABAD, Nov 24 (APP):The international artists of Ballet Beyond Borders (BBB) of Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre USA on Sunday mesmerized audience here at on-going Pakistan first ever mega Islamabad Art Festival 2019 in federal capital Islamabad.

President Ballet Beyond Borders Charlene Campbell Carey said that BBB embraces the changing landscapes of our global dance art form, adding that she is very happy to be here and the opportunity to enjoy with these wonderful people. “It was so amazing as large number of people were came together from different countries” she said.

“While excellence is our goal, we also seek to preserve the heritage we passionately share. We strive to protect, inspire, and connect the next generation of young artists with professionals of the highest caliber and with mentors that align with these ideals” she said. She said that dance is a cultural phenomenon and dancers are natural diplomats.

Charlene Campbell Carey said that Ballet Beyond Borders is a Ballet Nation that serves as a catalyst for promoting cooperation and easing conflict by creating mutual understanding and using dance to advocate for human rights, justice, and global peace. She said that Ballet Beyond Borders is an open land, with an open heart and an open dialogue.

Charlene created the highly regarded Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre (RMBT) School and established the renowned international danced festival, Ballet Beyond Borders (BBB) that is held annually in Western Montana. The artists of Ballet Beyond Borders performed various forms of dances from native America and modern forms and got big applause from the audience at jam packed PNCA auditorium.

Earlier, Presient Islamabad Art Festival 2019 Jamal Shah welcomed the international Ballet Beyond Borders artists. He said that that the idea of international festival was produced with aim to bring all the artists together. e said that more than 230 artists was being participating in Islamabad Art Festival. He said that we are lucky to have them here to establish links with them so we can continue a dialogue for years to come. He said that dialogue will be productive which encourages us to come closer and together.

He said the festival was being organized by the consortium of public and private educational institutions, art galleries and artist associations from across the country in collaboration with foreign embassies, with generous support from the corporate sector. He thanked all the international artists on the occasion."