Listening Bowl
Ecologically Engaged Art Project to devise a series of rambles in nature, verbal and found art making, and seasonal celebration, with artist-led connection to place, that culminated in Autumn Glow, a lantern festival. South Surrey, BC 2018.
Hosts: musician Heidi McCurdy; photographer, Celina Strachan, VG PlayRoom A.D. Virginia Gillespie
Listening Bowl Rambles 2018, Surrey Peninsula, BC
Four artist-led rambles in nature: “Circle of Stones” Crescent Beach with musician Enrico Renz, poetry and map making. “Babble Ramble” along Little Campbell River (Tat-a-lu) Forest Trail, South Surrey, Host videographer Celina Strachan led poetic reflections with Enrico Renz guitar improvisation along the trail. “Wander Choir” at Eagle Nest Labyrinth and forest, Kwomais Point Park, South Surrey. Host Heidi McCurdy led spontaneous vocals with choir members and guests. “Flora and Elements” Full Moon. Twelve women rambled through Yewstone Gardens in Langley following a route co-created by Yewstone visionary gardener Suzanne Robinson and Host Virginia Gillespie through listening to the messages and images from the land and plants. Spontaneous vocals with Heidi McCurdy and personal reflections in the grove influenced by Celtic tree mythology.
The Listening Bowl Project culminated with a sunset public lantern ramble from the Crescent Beach Pop Up Gallery (drum jam with Heidi McCurdy), blessing on the beach with Candace Hill, Brown Bear Woman then along the beach where we were greeted by light spinners, music, refreshments and a bonfire at Alexandra Neighbourhood House.
Autumn Glow
Video Credits: Celina Strachan, event director and narrator on the film, videographer and editor, Jasmeen Virk, videographer Aman Chandi, music by Fanny Starchild.
Thank You:
City of Surrey Cultural Grants, Alexandra Neighbourhood House, Semiahmoo Fish and Game Club, Yewstone Gardens.
EARTH CHIMES POEM
Wind whistles waves clap steps of ten pilgrims traverse the shore. Staffs, thrum thrum wake frozen earth thrum thrum mark path’s direction thrum to circle of stones. Wind howls bowl sings eyes of ten pilgrims lift to cerulean sky. Staffs, thrum thrum wake frozen earth thrum thrum mark roots of belonging thrum in the circle of stones. We gather closer breathe together listen listen wake frozen earth listen listen as one clear voice cloaked in chorus of ten pilgrims rises from circle of stones to embrace laughing wind.
