Chris Torch was an ally and acquaintance in my Amsterdam Daze -- He was a member of Julian Beck's Living Theater, and recruited beautiful Helena Van Danzig into their ranks. He also started a company in Sweden named Jord Cirkus (Earth Circus), and has been based around Stockholm since the late 70's. He's been organizing an incredible international exchange of artists between the Black Sea and Northern Europe for the last few years. The physical distances aren't really that great, but the historical and cultural divisions between the two regions are profound. I'm very proud to know a man who is doing such great work building human bridges!
From the SEAS/Intercult Newsletter:
SEAS Xpedition Turkey 15-22 September
SEAS X begins on the road. An expedition of over 30 people, SEAS artists and staff from all over Europe, will travel from Istanbul to Batumi. Along the way four stops are planned to spontaneously encounter local people and community groups. Animations - films, workshops, short presentations - will be the tools.
In August four pioneers made a trial trip as preparation for the SEAS Xpedition. The trip is reportedly bumpy at times, mostly welcoming and very exciting. Most of the SEAS artists have grown accustomed to new locations each with a different set of demands, this time eight new artists are joining the group.
The SEAS Xpedition stops and artists
SEAS X Batumi 22-25 September
The first ever international contemporary arts festival in Batumi and the beginning of an ongoing collaboration between SEAS/Intercult and Batumi State Drama Theatre, Caucasus Foundation and other local host organisations.
The program in Batumi presents contemporary art from the Black Sea North Sea regions. Performances, video and sculptural installations, theatre and more will be presented throughout the city. The SEAS artists are BADco., Mahir Gunsiray and Tiyatro Ouynevi, Anne Lise Stenseth, Katryna Radchenko, Vilna Scena, Nedyalko Delchev and Cristina David. Including two local performances by Ilia Chavchavadze Batumi State Drama Theatre and Valerian Gunia Poti State Drama Theatre.
The SEAS X Batumi programme
Anne Lise Stenseth to Artisterium Tiblisi
Anne Lise Stenseth has been invited to show the video installation The Kiss and Waste Project, 1-2 October at the Tbilisi International Contemporary Art Exhibition - Artisterium. The series of video essays portraying women across the Black and North Seas was developed during the SEAS touring. It gives a unique perspective on love, migration and family based on letters written to the artist as though she was their mother, sister or girlfriend.
Artisterium 1-2 October
