Folksy Finds blogged about COTL#4, which is on-sale at Folksy
Go see!!
Thursday, 30 April 2009
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
exeter zinefest
EXETER ZINEFEST IS A FREE NON-PROFIT D.I.Y EVENT CELEBRATING UNDERGROUND AND INDEPENDENT PUBLISHING HAPPENING SATURDAY MAY 3OTH AT THE PHOENIX ARTS CENTRE IN EXETER, DEVON WHICH WILL COINCIDE WITH THE NO STARS NO STRIPES PUNKROCK ALL DAYER AT THE SAME VENUE. BOTH EVENTS ARE ALL AGES + ALL INCLUSIVE!
WHILE THE FOCUS IS PRIMARILY ON ZINES, ALL AREAS OF DIY ARE WELCOME - COMICS, ART, CRAFT, POSTERS, SHIRTS, PATCHES ETC. ETC.+ WE ARE PLANNING ON SHOWING FILMS
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET INVOLVED WITH HELPING US ORGANISE ZINEFEST OR IF YOU WANT TO 'BOOK' A TABLE PLEASE EMAIL IZZY PEPPERMINT_SKINNY@HOTMAIL.COM
Myspace for more infos
Monday, 27 April 2009
sabrina chapadjiev interview
In support of the blog post about her upcoming tour dates, I thought I'd post the interview I did with Sabrina Chapadjiev, Editor of ‘Live Through This: On Creativity and Self-Destruction’ for Reassess Your Weapons zine, #9 (2008). I really believe in Sabrina's work so much - so if you can, go to the dates in Manchester and Edinburgh (or Vienna and Bonn)!
Hi Sabrina, how are you?
I’m okay. How are you?
What can you tell me about your book, ‘Live Through This: On Creativity and Self Destruction’ for those who may not have come across it yet?
Wait. . .you didn’t tell me how you are yet? Oh- right, I’m filling the questions out, and you can’t respond. I’m going to assume you’re well, and continue.
‘Live Through This’ is an anthology of women artists talking about how they’ve used art to deal with self-destructive tendencies. That’s how it started out. However, it also became a study between self-destruction and creation, and the necessity and the balance of the two.
Why was it important to you to write this book *now*?
I don’t know. Well, first off, I have to say I didn’t write it. I edited it. A majority of the writing and brilliant ideas are all by the artists in the book- bell hooks, Nan Goldin, Inga Muscio, Kate Bornstein… they’re all fairly smart. However, I have, for a long time- wondered about women with these tendencies. . .seeing as I have quite a self-destructive bent in college myself. As I say in the intro, it started with Sarah Kane. I felt so in tune with her, that when she off-ed herself, it sorta rocked my mental boat. I sorta tried to steady that boat for awhile, and once I succeeded, I still wondered if what lead me to Sarah Kane would eventually lead me down the same road. I didn’t want it to, and wondered if there were other artists who’d dealt with these things but had not only survived them, but still were able to make transcendent art without having to be labelled, ‘suicide artists’ or ‘self-destructive’ artists.
I held this thought quietly in the back of my head for a while, and was then talking to publishers about my previous collection, ‘Cliterature- 18 interviews with women writers.’ One press was like, ‘We’re not going to publish an interview series, but we like how you think, kid. . .any more ideas?’ I pitched them something similar to this, ‘For Smart Girls Who’ve Considered Suicide’, which then evolved into ‘Live Through This.’
As trite as it may sound, when reading the book I saw parts of my story (past and current; self-destructive and searching for ways to be less so) in the words the women had committed to page.
With the book, and the offshoot blog projects etc. how important is it to you to not only document the important life stories, and creative routes out from despair that the featured women have shared, but also to provide support and encouragement to readers and viewers by demonstrating and depicting lives that have, or are in the process of becoming less destructive?
I ask this, as it seems that you’re providing readers with quite a lot of stimulus, food for thought, and examples of women who have found a ‘way through’ that could be a very important act of example, support and understanding to others. And also, I recall reading a ‘Live Through This’ blog entry you wrote that seemed to be so supportive and encouraging of women and their own personal battles; almost like there was *somebody* out there who gives enough of a damn to write and share, support and defend.
Was part of the book project purposely constructed as a hand-outstretched?
None of your question sounded trite, although it is a very long one and I’m hoping I’ll answer it correctly. Do I win something if I answer correctly? I am hoping for a stuffed rabbit.
I knew that I was presenting a topic that was going to be a bit loaded for people. . .it rarely receives a bland reaction when I talk about it. Either people suddenly feel the need to tell me that they’ve suffered themselves, or their sister has, or their girlfriend or. . .Since I’m not a therapist, or a psychologist, or any –ist, I didn’t quite know what to do. I very much wanted women to feel they could talk about these things openly, but I am also attempting to balance that line of guarding my own sanity. I spoke to contributors that have had intense reaction to their work who’ve dealt with the same thing, and the constant refrain was- Give them information. Give them a place to go. That seemed logical. And more helpful than me just taking it all in. I want these stories to be heard, and to be held in the highest value, but- again, as with my last project, I am desperately an advocate for women starting discussions, groups, communities themselves. The resource list at the end of the book is precisely that, and was the idea of my editor, Crystal Yakacki, who also edited Kate’s book, ‘Hello, Cruel World.’ Crystal’s brilliant.
So, hand outstretched? Yes, of course. But then, what book isn’t?
In the book, Cristy Road writes of self-destruction that, ‘here finally came creativity to thoroughly get in its way.’
I can totally appreciate where she’s coming from (hell, I‘ve relied for years on constructive, creative
outlets to get me through difficulties, and to quieten the stuff painfully banging about in my skull), but to what degree do you think creativity can act, not just as distraction from self-destruction, - but more that that; as a way to find one’s own voice?
To the 90th degree. Of course, this is bearing in mind altitude.
No, I don’t know. What is creativity? It is self-expression. True creativity is some stemming from yourself thing that came outta you and you don’t know what it is and now you gotta look at it. That’s the thing, too- you gotta look at it. You express, you think, you consider, and then you express some more. Each time you do that, consider your self, you are developing your own voice/style/self. Putting on clothes and looking in the mirror is like that . . . you put on a hat, you consider it, you take it off.
Voila. You are a hatless person. Take that world!
And so on.
Something that I know to be true is that often the path from self-destruction is the ‘difficult’ option, when a reliance on tried and tested forms of self-destruction seem like the easiest thing to continue.
In fact, this is something Inga Muscio also refers to in the book where she says:
‘I only knew one thing: write or die. “Die” meant leaving who I was and never coming back again. I saw the option of that, and it was easy and attractive on many levels. It could involve heroin, insanity or full court press emotional retreat.
Probably heroin.
But I knew writing better and had already established a pretty serious trust there. Writing has a proven track record saving my ass, so I consciously chose writing over any of the easy, attractive deaths that waltzed around my imagination’.
It’s a really tough question, but what do you think we can do to further highlight the importance of those ’difficult’ choices and moves, and encourage them in our communities?
One of the most important things I’ve learned in doing this book has been that our internal and personal struggles, once we survive them, shape the way we move and think through the world. Once we survive our personal injustices, we are able to bring that to our worldview and help others. I constantly turn to bell hooks’ essay on this point, as she details how as a child, she couldn’t stop crying, “I mourned for myself and for my family- for all of us caught in cycles of pain… My tears were a constant reminder that somewhere, something was very wrong.”
And what is hooks known for now? Constantly crying out in the face of racism, sexism and classism. Once that warbled cry is controlled, and refined, and considered, it is a very precious weapon that has the power to change the thing that began the tears.
Many of the people in the book have used forms of ‘skilled’ creativity, such as drawing, music making, creating art, rapping, writing poetry, teaching dance, playing the cello, performing, etc. as ways to re-focus their destructive energies and ‘control‘.
As a firm believer in ‘everyday creativity’ myself, what would your response be to people who may say it’s ‘easy’ for the people featured in the book as they had ‘obvious skills’ to draw from and ways to create, but that that they themselves are not ‘creative’ at all - they can’t draw, sing, play an instrument, write, perform, etc. like those in the book.
Good question. 5 stars. Goes well with Shiraz.
Ummm, I have to say that I didn’t go with [publisher] on press because they only wanted ‘written essays’ in this book. I was like, ‘What- you’re going to only save the essayists.’ Seven Stories (the hot press that
signed me) was totally on-board with the art, which was partially why I signed with them. Still, it was hard for me to even get dancers and musicians involved.
I was a bit chagrined that I couldn’t include scientists, teachers, politicians and their stories.
I very much believe that creativity is in each person, and should NEVER be relegated to artists. Still, I’m not answering your question… How can people that feel they’re not artists benefit from the book? Well.. .
1. Reading the stories, they can understand that they’re not alone – hopefully giving them this community can be enough for them to find their personal way to move forward.
2. You don’t have to be a ‘writer’ to write. Or to journal. You don’t even have to show it to anybody. Everyone writes. We write checks, e-mails that we forget, notes, lists, but we often write to other people . .I would take one of the regular everyday forms of writing you already do, and modify it so it is just for yourself. Instead of ‘Ten Things I need to get at the grocery store.’ It’s ten reasons I
wished I stopped cutting. Or ten anything. Lists are great. Letters too. It’s not about the writing or the art of it all- it’s about getting something out there that you can look at so you can self-reflect. As an artist, right now I can only think of arty things. But part of the reason I have my blog is so people can share this information... I’m having a posting soon called, ‘How I Get through’ so we can
learn from each other.
What is your view on the potential power of creativity?
This book isn’t necessarily focused on what the exact ‘the power of creativity’ is, it is more geared to helping individuals understand, assess, and manage the magnitude of their own power. If you ask me about creativity’s power specifically, well, I tend to resort to a Nicole Blackman line, from her poem, Daughter- a litany of things she would teach her daughter, one of them being, ‘You have an army inside of you that will save your life.’ Creativity, for me, is a way of rallying the troops. A way of calling them to order, by their personal names. “Soldiers Rage, Fear, Terror, Happiness, Joy, Sensitivity and Tenderness, are you here?” “Yes, Sabrina- all present.” We tend to only present the best parts of ourselves to others, and sometimes – often to ourselves as well. This book hopefully will give a manageable way of dealing with the more prickly emotions and parts of ourselves, so we can have them become a part of us as well, instead of us being consumed by their seduction.
How important do you think it can be to reconsider the constructs of ‘normal lifestyles’ in order to make (creative) breakthroughs to generate alternatives to the ways we (self-destructively) live; thus transforming the same energy we use to self destruct and convert it towards creation?
I’m sort of confused by this question. I think you’re asking if people need to structure their lives in an unorthodox way to encourage creative habits?. . .is that it? I don’t know. I’m going to pretend that’s the question.
Listen, everyone has their own way of working… their own rhythm. Some like the 9-5ness of their days, and that stability allows them to be creative, some people feel the need to throw it all to the wind and start from scratch. Whatever floats your boat.
I’m aware that you’ve been touring the US with this book, often with some of the featured writers doing readings, to create empowering spaces to discuss self-destructive experiences.
How have the tour events been going?
Awesome.
Why was it important to you to take this book on tour?
I’ve learned that you need to promote a book. So there’s that. But then also, it was really important for me to meet some of the author’s after having worked with them so extensively, and for them to meet each other as well. The fact that we were able to put on incredible, I mean- INCREDIBLE, and awe-inspiring evenings that touched a lot of people was something wonderful as well.
Personally, I had been sitting alone – working on this book really fucking hard for around two years... really, only a few of my friends knew about it and how hard I worked, and so when it came out. . .it sort of freaked me out. Like- it was ‘out there’ and people could ‘buy it’. But once I started giving lectures and doing workshops around this topic, it was such a relief for me. I had built up so much thought/knowledge in those two years and hadn’t really shared it with anyone. Now I could. The floodgates opened. It felt great- and even more so. . .people were responding.
By the way. . .I’m looking to do some lectures/workshops at Universities and such in the UK and Europe. . .so please spread the word.
This issue of ‘Reassess Your Weapons’ zine is devoting space for submissions on the theme of ‘Recovery’. The response so far has been flabbergasting, in terms of the breadth and extent of life experiences that women have, or hope to ‘recover from’ - from heartbreak, to loss, abortion, failure, upbringing, etc., alongside the more self-destructive addictions, eating disorders, forms of self-harms etc.
I was just wondering what your thoughts, or experiences, or reflections on the book are, in terms of recovery? And perhaps where creativity may fit into this.
In terms of recovery... People talk about recovery like it’s something you get over. I see it as something you take with you. You were hurt- you have a scar- it doesn’t go away. It molds you, and thank God it does. Each experience burns us a little. Changes us. I think people are afraid to accept their self-destructive pasts. There’s such shame around it.
But guess what? You survived it. You’re surviving it right now. Look at you!! But don’t forget what happened. Carry it with you. It’s part of who you are now, but that’s okay, because it’s a part of who we all are. So shape the world with ‘who’ that it’s made you.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I also write plays and play music so check out my website.
Do you want to suggest ways in which people can become more aware of ‘Live Through This’, or suggest other resources?
Go to the book’s website- sabrinachap.com/LTT ... there’s a bunch of video interviews I’m doing with contributors that I’ll put up soon talking a bit more in-depth. And there’s a link to a buncha radio interviews with me and other people. If you friend us on myspace page or facebook, I’ll let you know about any events coming up, or you can contact me if you want to set one up.
There is a resource list in the back of the book, but people are always free to post their own survival techniques on the blog- livethroughthisblogspot.com
Many thanks for taking the time and energy to respond to this interview Sabrina; I have so much support and gratitude for the work you’re doing with this project; it’s deadly important.
Oh, thank you!
Hi Sabrina, how are you?
I’m okay. How are you?
What can you tell me about your book, ‘Live Through This: On Creativity and Self Destruction’ for those who may not have come across it yet?
Wait. . .you didn’t tell me how you are yet? Oh- right, I’m filling the questions out, and you can’t respond. I’m going to assume you’re well, and continue.
‘Live Through This’ is an anthology of women artists talking about how they’ve used art to deal with self-destructive tendencies. That’s how it started out. However, it also became a study between self-destruction and creation, and the necessity and the balance of the two.
Why was it important to you to write this book *now*?
I don’t know. Well, first off, I have to say I didn’t write it. I edited it. A majority of the writing and brilliant ideas are all by the artists in the book- bell hooks, Nan Goldin, Inga Muscio, Kate Bornstein… they’re all fairly smart. However, I have, for a long time- wondered about women with these tendencies. . .seeing as I have quite a self-destructive bent in college myself. As I say in the intro, it started with Sarah Kane. I felt so in tune with her, that when she off-ed herself, it sorta rocked my mental boat. I sorta tried to steady that boat for awhile, and once I succeeded, I still wondered if what lead me to Sarah Kane would eventually lead me down the same road. I didn’t want it to, and wondered if there were other artists who’d dealt with these things but had not only survived them, but still were able to make transcendent art without having to be labelled, ‘suicide artists’ or ‘self-destructive’ artists.
I held this thought quietly in the back of my head for a while, and was then talking to publishers about my previous collection, ‘Cliterature- 18 interviews with women writers.’ One press was like, ‘We’re not going to publish an interview series, but we like how you think, kid. . .any more ideas?’ I pitched them something similar to this, ‘For Smart Girls Who’ve Considered Suicide’, which then evolved into ‘Live Through This.’
As trite as it may sound, when reading the book I saw parts of my story (past and current; self-destructive and searching for ways to be less so) in the words the women had committed to page.
With the book, and the offshoot blog projects etc. how important is it to you to not only document the important life stories, and creative routes out from despair that the featured women have shared, but also to provide support and encouragement to readers and viewers by demonstrating and depicting lives that have, or are in the process of becoming less destructive?
I ask this, as it seems that you’re providing readers with quite a lot of stimulus, food for thought, and examples of women who have found a ‘way through’ that could be a very important act of example, support and understanding to others. And also, I recall reading a ‘Live Through This’ blog entry you wrote that seemed to be so supportive and encouraging of women and their own personal battles; almost like there was *somebody* out there who gives enough of a damn to write and share, support and defend.
Was part of the book project purposely constructed as a hand-outstretched?
None of your question sounded trite, although it is a very long one and I’m hoping I’ll answer it correctly. Do I win something if I answer correctly? I am hoping for a stuffed rabbit.
I knew that I was presenting a topic that was going to be a bit loaded for people. . .it rarely receives a bland reaction when I talk about it. Either people suddenly feel the need to tell me that they’ve suffered themselves, or their sister has, or their girlfriend or. . .Since I’m not a therapist, or a psychologist, or any –ist, I didn’t quite know what to do. I very much wanted women to feel they could talk about these things openly, but I am also attempting to balance that line of guarding my own sanity. I spoke to contributors that have had intense reaction to their work who’ve dealt with the same thing, and the constant refrain was- Give them information. Give them a place to go. That seemed logical. And more helpful than me just taking it all in. I want these stories to be heard, and to be held in the highest value, but- again, as with my last project, I am desperately an advocate for women starting discussions, groups, communities themselves. The resource list at the end of the book is precisely that, and was the idea of my editor, Crystal Yakacki, who also edited Kate’s book, ‘Hello, Cruel World.’ Crystal’s brilliant.
So, hand outstretched? Yes, of course. But then, what book isn’t?
In the book, Cristy Road writes of self-destruction that, ‘here finally came creativity to thoroughly get in its way.’
I can totally appreciate where she’s coming from (hell, I‘ve relied for years on constructive, creative
outlets to get me through difficulties, and to quieten the stuff painfully banging about in my skull), but to what degree do you think creativity can act, not just as distraction from self-destruction, - but more that that; as a way to find one’s own voice?
To the 90th degree. Of course, this is bearing in mind altitude.
No, I don’t know. What is creativity? It is self-expression. True creativity is some stemming from yourself thing that came outta you and you don’t know what it is and now you gotta look at it. That’s the thing, too- you gotta look at it. You express, you think, you consider, and then you express some more. Each time you do that, consider your self, you are developing your own voice/style/self. Putting on clothes and looking in the mirror is like that . . . you put on a hat, you consider it, you take it off.
Voila. You are a hatless person. Take that world!
And so on.
Something that I know to be true is that often the path from self-destruction is the ‘difficult’ option, when a reliance on tried and tested forms of self-destruction seem like the easiest thing to continue.
In fact, this is something Inga Muscio also refers to in the book where she says:
‘I only knew one thing: write or die. “Die” meant leaving who I was and never coming back again. I saw the option of that, and it was easy and attractive on many levels. It could involve heroin, insanity or full court press emotional retreat.
Probably heroin.
But I knew writing better and had already established a pretty serious trust there. Writing has a proven track record saving my ass, so I consciously chose writing over any of the easy, attractive deaths that waltzed around my imagination’.
It’s a really tough question, but what do you think we can do to further highlight the importance of those ’difficult’ choices and moves, and encourage them in our communities?
One of the most important things I’ve learned in doing this book has been that our internal and personal struggles, once we survive them, shape the way we move and think through the world. Once we survive our personal injustices, we are able to bring that to our worldview and help others. I constantly turn to bell hooks’ essay on this point, as she details how as a child, she couldn’t stop crying, “I mourned for myself and for my family- for all of us caught in cycles of pain… My tears were a constant reminder that somewhere, something was very wrong.”
And what is hooks known for now? Constantly crying out in the face of racism, sexism and classism. Once that warbled cry is controlled, and refined, and considered, it is a very precious weapon that has the power to change the thing that began the tears.
Many of the people in the book have used forms of ‘skilled’ creativity, such as drawing, music making, creating art, rapping, writing poetry, teaching dance, playing the cello, performing, etc. as ways to re-focus their destructive energies and ‘control‘.
As a firm believer in ‘everyday creativity’ myself, what would your response be to people who may say it’s ‘easy’ for the people featured in the book as they had ‘obvious skills’ to draw from and ways to create, but that that they themselves are not ‘creative’ at all - they can’t draw, sing, play an instrument, write, perform, etc. like those in the book.
Good question. 5 stars. Goes well with Shiraz.
Ummm, I have to say that I didn’t go with [publisher] on press because they only wanted ‘written essays’ in this book. I was like, ‘What- you’re going to only save the essayists.’ Seven Stories (the hot press that
signed me) was totally on-board with the art, which was partially why I signed with them. Still, it was hard for me to even get dancers and musicians involved.
I was a bit chagrined that I couldn’t include scientists, teachers, politicians and their stories.
I very much believe that creativity is in each person, and should NEVER be relegated to artists. Still, I’m not answering your question… How can people that feel they’re not artists benefit from the book? Well.. .
1. Reading the stories, they can understand that they’re not alone – hopefully giving them this community can be enough for them to find their personal way to move forward.
2. You don’t have to be a ‘writer’ to write. Or to journal. You don’t even have to show it to anybody. Everyone writes. We write checks, e-mails that we forget, notes, lists, but we often write to other people . .I would take one of the regular everyday forms of writing you already do, and modify it so it is just for yourself. Instead of ‘Ten Things I need to get at the grocery store.’ It’s ten reasons I
wished I stopped cutting. Or ten anything. Lists are great. Letters too. It’s not about the writing or the art of it all- it’s about getting something out there that you can look at so you can self-reflect. As an artist, right now I can only think of arty things. But part of the reason I have my blog is so people can share this information... I’m having a posting soon called, ‘How I Get through’ so we can
learn from each other.
What is your view on the potential power of creativity?
This book isn’t necessarily focused on what the exact ‘the power of creativity’ is, it is more geared to helping individuals understand, assess, and manage the magnitude of their own power. If you ask me about creativity’s power specifically, well, I tend to resort to a Nicole Blackman line, from her poem, Daughter- a litany of things she would teach her daughter, one of them being, ‘You have an army inside of you that will save your life.’ Creativity, for me, is a way of rallying the troops. A way of calling them to order, by their personal names. “Soldiers Rage, Fear, Terror, Happiness, Joy, Sensitivity and Tenderness, are you here?” “Yes, Sabrina- all present.” We tend to only present the best parts of ourselves to others, and sometimes – often to ourselves as well. This book hopefully will give a manageable way of dealing with the more prickly emotions and parts of ourselves, so we can have them become a part of us as well, instead of us being consumed by their seduction.
How important do you think it can be to reconsider the constructs of ‘normal lifestyles’ in order to make (creative) breakthroughs to generate alternatives to the ways we (self-destructively) live; thus transforming the same energy we use to self destruct and convert it towards creation?
I’m sort of confused by this question. I think you’re asking if people need to structure their lives in an unorthodox way to encourage creative habits?. . .is that it? I don’t know. I’m going to pretend that’s the question.
Listen, everyone has their own way of working… their own rhythm. Some like the 9-5ness of their days, and that stability allows them to be creative, some people feel the need to throw it all to the wind and start from scratch. Whatever floats your boat.
I’m aware that you’ve been touring the US with this book, often with some of the featured writers doing readings, to create empowering spaces to discuss self-destructive experiences.
How have the tour events been going?
Awesome.
Why was it important to you to take this book on tour?
I’ve learned that you need to promote a book. So there’s that. But then also, it was really important for me to meet some of the author’s after having worked with them so extensively, and for them to meet each other as well. The fact that we were able to put on incredible, I mean- INCREDIBLE, and awe-inspiring evenings that touched a lot of people was something wonderful as well.
Personally, I had been sitting alone – working on this book really fucking hard for around two years... really, only a few of my friends knew about it and how hard I worked, and so when it came out. . .it sort of freaked me out. Like- it was ‘out there’ and people could ‘buy it’. But once I started giving lectures and doing workshops around this topic, it was such a relief for me. I had built up so much thought/knowledge in those two years and hadn’t really shared it with anyone. Now I could. The floodgates opened. It felt great- and even more so. . .people were responding.
By the way. . .I’m looking to do some lectures/workshops at Universities and such in the UK and Europe. . .so please spread the word.
This issue of ‘Reassess Your Weapons’ zine is devoting space for submissions on the theme of ‘Recovery’. The response so far has been flabbergasting, in terms of the breadth and extent of life experiences that women have, or hope to ‘recover from’ - from heartbreak, to loss, abortion, failure, upbringing, etc., alongside the more self-destructive addictions, eating disorders, forms of self-harms etc.
I was just wondering what your thoughts, or experiences, or reflections on the book are, in terms of recovery? And perhaps where creativity may fit into this.
In terms of recovery... People talk about recovery like it’s something you get over. I see it as something you take with you. You were hurt- you have a scar- it doesn’t go away. It molds you, and thank God it does. Each experience burns us a little. Changes us. I think people are afraid to accept their self-destructive pasts. There’s such shame around it.
But guess what? You survived it. You’re surviving it right now. Look at you!! But don’t forget what happened. Carry it with you. It’s part of who you are now, but that’s okay, because it’s a part of who we all are. So shape the world with ‘who’ that it’s made you.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I also write plays and play music so check out my website.
Do you want to suggest ways in which people can become more aware of ‘Live Through This’, or suggest other resources?
Go to the book’s website- sabrinachap.com/LTT ... there’s a bunch of video interviews I’m doing with contributors that I’ll put up soon talking a bit more in-depth. And there’s a link to a buncha radio interviews with me and other people. If you friend us on myspace page or facebook, I’ll let you know about any events coming up, or you can contact me if you want to set one up.
There is a resource list in the back of the book, but people are always free to post their own survival techniques on the blog- livethroughthisblogspot.com
Many thanks for taking the time and energy to respond to this interview Sabrina; I have so much support and gratitude for the work you’re doing with this project; it’s deadly important.
Oh, thank you!
live through this - manchester and edinburgh
*MANCHESTER*
Two mental health related events with Sabrina Chapadjiev, editor of 'LiveThrough This : On Creativity and Self Destruction'
http://sabrinachap.com/
http://www.sevenstories.com/book/?GCOI=58322100238060
(This is also the first event of a Mental Health Discussion Group that will start meeting monthly from June.)
*****
TALK AND Q&A
Sunday May 10th, 5-8pm
The Talk will be a reading, visual presentation, and an in-depth exploration of the themes that emerged in the dialogue of art and self-destruction within the book. This will be followed by a Q&A.
*****
MENTAL WEALTH WORKSHOP
Monday May 11th, 5-8pm
Being diagnosed as bi-polar, depressed, anorexic or mentally ill can often feel like being handed a sentence. Often, with each of these 'diagnoses' comes the stigma of weakness and mental instability. But what happens when we start turning out symptoms into gifts? Beyond medication and therapists, what ownership can you have over your own mental health? In this workshop we'll take a closer look at the hidden gifts inherent in the things that destroy us. we'll discuss ways to harness these 'symptoms' - not as burdens that misdirect is, but as self-knowledge worthy of attention.
THERE IS A MAXIMUM OF 15 PEOPLE FOR THIS WORKSHOP, SO PLEASE EMAIL IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RESERVE A PLACE. (kaffequeeria@riseup.net)
*****
VENUE
Both events will be held at the LGBT Centre, Sidney St, Manchester.
This is an accessible space.
TIMINGS
5pm - open with hot meal, cakes, tea (cheap & vegan)
6pm - talk / workshop starts
8pm - end
COST
Events are free but we will be asking for donations to help cover Sabrina's travel costs.
*****
LIVE THROUGH THIS is a collection of original stories, essays, artwork,and photography. It explores the use of art to survive abuse, incest, madness and depression, and the often deep-seated impulse toward self-destruction including cutting, eating disorders, and addiction. Here, some of our most compelling cartoonists, novelists, poets, dancers, playwrights, and burlesque performers traverse the pains and passions that can both motivate and destroy women artists, and mark a path for survival. Taken together, these artful reflections offer an honest and hopeful journey through the power inherent in struggles with destruction, and the ensuing possibilities of transforming that burning force into the external release of art. With contributions by Nan Goldin, bell hooks, Patricia Smith, Cristy C.Road, Carol Queen, Annie Sprinkle, Elizabeth Stephens, Carolyn Gage, Eileen Myles, Fly, Diane DiMassa, Bonfire Madigan Shive, Inga Muscio, Kate Bornstein, Toni Blackman, Nicole Blackman, Silas Howard, Daphne Gottleib, and Stephanie Howell.
- - - - - -
*EDINBURGH*
Lecture & Discussion by editor Sabrina Chapadjiev
Tuesday 12th May @ St Paul's Hall, Jeffrey St, Edinburgh
doors 7pm, £3
Performance with Sabrina Chap, Jo Foster & McGillivray
Saturday 16th May @ The Bowery, Roxburgh Pl,Edinburgh
doors 7.30pm, £3
About the tour - While putting "Live Through This" together, I found myself constantly attempting to understand what makes a person take their silent rage out on themselves, rather than understand it. Themes of shame, control, power and isolation came up continually- and soon I realized that each artists’ story shone some light on why some of the most intelligent and powerful people I knew were destroying themselves.
About the Performance – Sabrina, songwriter and playwright brings us a folk and blues infused performance supported by Fence Collective favourite Jo Foster with her melody strong songs, and McGillivray (aka Kirsten Norrie) a favourite of the Ladyfest group themselves, she's been away in Oxford recording her first album 'Wolves', 17 electifying, haunting songs based on the tradition of lining out and mouth music.
“I've seen the kind of show Sabrina can put on. It's good, strong work. Her talk is articulate, accessible, compassionate and street level smart. She has woven together a mind boggling presentation...she carries an important message.” Kate Bornstein
Further Information
For further press information and photo's contact Marylou - Marylouanderson@hotmail.co.uk, 07981507207
www.ladyfestedinburgh.com
www.sabrinachap.com/LTT
3 pounds on the door
Two mental health related events with Sabrina Chapadjiev, editor of 'LiveThrough This : On Creativity and Self Destruction'
http://sabrinachap.com/
http://www.sevenstories.com/book/?GCOI=58322100238060
(This is also the first event of a Mental Health Discussion Group that will start meeting monthly from June.)
*****
TALK AND Q&A
Sunday May 10th, 5-8pm
The Talk will be a reading, visual presentation, and an in-depth exploration of the themes that emerged in the dialogue of art and self-destruction within the book. This will be followed by a Q&A.
*****
MENTAL WEALTH WORKSHOP
Monday May 11th, 5-8pm
Being diagnosed as bi-polar, depressed, anorexic or mentally ill can often feel like being handed a sentence. Often, with each of these 'diagnoses' comes the stigma of weakness and mental instability. But what happens when we start turning out symptoms into gifts? Beyond medication and therapists, what ownership can you have over your own mental health? In this workshop we'll take a closer look at the hidden gifts inherent in the things that destroy us. we'll discuss ways to harness these 'symptoms' - not as burdens that misdirect is, but as self-knowledge worthy of attention.
THERE IS A MAXIMUM OF 15 PEOPLE FOR THIS WORKSHOP, SO PLEASE EMAIL IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RESERVE A PLACE. (kaffequeeria@riseup.net)
*****
VENUE
Both events will be held at the LGBT Centre, Sidney St, Manchester.
This is an accessible space.
TIMINGS
5pm - open with hot meal, cakes, tea (cheap & vegan)
6pm - talk / workshop starts
8pm - end
COST
Events are free but we will be asking for donations to help cover Sabrina's travel costs.
*****
LIVE THROUGH THIS is a collection of original stories, essays, artwork,and photography. It explores the use of art to survive abuse, incest, madness and depression, and the often deep-seated impulse toward self-destruction including cutting, eating disorders, and addiction. Here, some of our most compelling cartoonists, novelists, poets, dancers, playwrights, and burlesque performers traverse the pains and passions that can both motivate and destroy women artists, and mark a path for survival. Taken together, these artful reflections offer an honest and hopeful journey through the power inherent in struggles with destruction, and the ensuing possibilities of transforming that burning force into the external release of art. With contributions by Nan Goldin, bell hooks, Patricia Smith, Cristy C.Road, Carol Queen, Annie Sprinkle, Elizabeth Stephens, Carolyn Gage, Eileen Myles, Fly, Diane DiMassa, Bonfire Madigan Shive, Inga Muscio, Kate Bornstein, Toni Blackman, Nicole Blackman, Silas Howard, Daphne Gottleib, and Stephanie Howell.
- - - - - -
*EDINBURGH*
Lecture & Discussion by editor Sabrina Chapadjiev
Tuesday 12th May @ St Paul's Hall, Jeffrey St, Edinburgh
doors 7pm, £3
Performance with Sabrina Chap, Jo Foster & McGillivray
Saturday 16th May @ The Bowery, Roxburgh Pl,Edinburgh
doors 7.30pm, £3
About the tour - While putting "Live Through This" together, I found myself constantly attempting to understand what makes a person take their silent rage out on themselves, rather than understand it. Themes of shame, control, power and isolation came up continually- and soon I realized that each artists’ story shone some light on why some of the most intelligent and powerful people I knew were destroying themselves.
About the Performance – Sabrina, songwriter and playwright brings us a folk and blues infused performance supported by Fence Collective favourite Jo Foster with her melody strong songs, and McGillivray (aka Kirsten Norrie) a favourite of the Ladyfest group themselves, she's been away in Oxford recording her first album 'Wolves', 17 electifying, haunting songs based on the tradition of lining out and mouth music.
“I've seen the kind of show Sabrina can put on. It's good, strong work. Her talk is articulate, accessible, compassionate and street level smart. She has woven together a mind boggling presentation...she carries an important message.” Kate Bornstein
Further Information
For further press information and photo's contact Marylou - Marylouanderson@hotmail.co.uk, 07981507207
www.ladyfestedinburgh.com
www.sabrinachap.com/LTT
3 pounds on the door
for real
Make sure you truly love what you do because if / when you get so busy that you don’t know which way is up, you have to, at the very least, know that you are spending ALL of your time doing something that you truly enjoy.
Sunday, 26 April 2009
not quite sure where mine is on here
As mentioned in an earlier post, COTL4 is currently featured at the New Museum in New York! It is part of a Live Archive supplement to the show: "The Generational: Younger Than Jesus"
(photos by Carolyn Wachnicki via Nicole J Georges)
Sunday, 19 April 2009
wrong
I don't even know where to begin talking about how wrong I find these images. These outfits are for sale, and are being bought. Poor, poor creatures, 100% humiliation...
Thursday, 9 April 2009
reminding me what it's all about
From a Kimya Dawson blog post...
This passion is energising to me.
One day I'll write about the songs that do this for me.
This song has been my mantra since the first time I popped the album Green into the tape player of my mom's old minivan. This is the song I screamed along to driving fast on windy dirt roads at night. This is the song I shouted to the heavens from the top of the dam. This is the song that pounds against the inside of my skull when I feel out of control- reminding me that I am not.
This is my singing in the shower song.
I have been singing this song in the privacy of my aloneness for 20 years.
It is crazy to watch myself sing it out loud in a room full of people. It is crazy to hear what it sounds like from the outside of myself.
Around and around we go.
Rule your own world.
This passion is energising to me.
One day I'll write about the songs that do this for me.
Monday, 6 April 2009
keeping it together zine
from my inbox...
Keeping it Together is a resource on conflict resolution and coping with personal conflicts within d.i.y. / activist communities.
It is looking for contributions (words / pictures / both), including:- recommended resources e.g. books, leaflets, organisations- personal experiences
Suggestions:
i)Frustrations encountered
ii)Managing difficult situations / people- any successful prevention tips/ coping strategies?
iii) Have you ever felt that your own behaviour may have caused conflict within a group? How did you deal with it? How did others deal with it? Did you feel the results of conflict were even positive?
NOTE: as this is a sensitive topic, all personal experiences will be edited very carefully to ensure anonymity for potentially implied contributors / and individuals and/or communities.
Please send your contributions to: kit.contributions@googlemail.com
If you want to send contributions via post, please e-mail me first.
DEADLINE: SUNDAY 10th MAY 2008, 11:59PM (or so)
Please pass this on to anyone who may be interested! Looking forward to hearing from you, Heena
Keeping it Together is a resource on conflict resolution and coping with personal conflicts within d.i.y. / activist communities.
It is looking for contributions (words / pictures / both), including:- recommended resources e.g. books, leaflets, organisations- personal experiences
Suggestions:
i)Frustrations encountered
ii)Managing difficult situations / people- any successful prevention tips/ coping strategies?
iii) Have you ever felt that your own behaviour may have caused conflict within a group? How did you deal with it? How did others deal with it? Did you feel the results of conflict were even positive?
NOTE: as this is a sensitive topic, all personal experiences will be edited very carefully to ensure anonymity for potentially implied contributors / and individuals and/or communities.
Please send your contributions to: kit.contributions@googlemail.com
If you want to send contributions via post, please e-mail me first.
DEADLINE: SUNDAY 10th MAY 2008, 11:59PM (or so)
Please pass this on to anyone who may be interested! Looking forward to hearing from you, Heena
Sunday, 5 April 2009
d.i.y queer film festival
from my inbox...
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
entzaubert is a radical queer d.i.y. film festival happening June 4th-7th 2009 at the queer wagenplatz schwarzer kanal in Berlin.
We will create a space for queer/feminist DIY cinema – you provide the films!
We are looking for films within or beyond these categories:
arty, punky, no-borders, anarchic, documentaries, porn, trashy, experimental, feminist, funny, serious, low-budget, no-budget, music, quality, concise, international, homo-socialist, homosexualist, revolutionary, polyamourous, monogamous, lazy, tranny-dyky, faggy, old, brand-new, provocative, difficult, hot …
we welcome films in any language – multiple language/subtitles are always appreciated. if that’s not possible, don’t worry!
download submission form here:
http://entzaubert.blogsport.de/images/entry_entzaubert09.pdf or http://entzaubert.blogsport.de/images/entryformentzaubert.doc
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
deadline: May 1st 2009
contact: entzaubert[at]riseup.net
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
/ / / / WORKSHOPS / / / /
up for sharing your skills? need a reason to make your first film?
we plan to organize a couple of workshops during the festival.
we would like you to prepare, moderate or host them – or simply share equipment…
This might be filming, editing, directing, subtitling, writing, costumes, make-up, acting, light/sound/camera as well as discussions.
Just write us an email with your ideas.
/ / / / ABOUT ENTZAUBERT / / / /
entzaubert is non-commercial, entry to all screenings is by donation.
we support the idea of copyleft and creative commons.
entzaubert offers a platform for movies, films, documentaries that might not get screened in mainstream commercial festivals.
entzaubert is a radical queer festival.
We think that queer is about living your life in a political way which challenges gender and power structures.
We think that fucking with gender normativity, abolishing borders and fighting for migrants’ and workers’ rights are all part of one struggle.
The capitalist system is based on social inequality. So for us opposing capitalism is fundamental to the fight against transphobia, homophobia and sexism as well as racism, fascism and militarism.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
http://entzaubert.blogsport.de
venue:schwarzerkanal berlin
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
entzaubert is a radical queer d.i.y. film festival happening June 4th-7th 2009 at the queer wagenplatz schwarzer kanal in Berlin.
We will create a space for queer/feminist DIY cinema – you provide the films!
We are looking for films within or beyond these categories:
arty, punky, no-borders, anarchic, documentaries, porn, trashy, experimental, feminist, funny, serious, low-budget, no-budget, music, quality, concise, international, homo-socialist, homosexualist, revolutionary, polyamourous, monogamous, lazy, tranny-dyky, faggy, old, brand-new, provocative, difficult, hot …
we welcome films in any language – multiple language/subtitles are always appreciated. if that’s not possible, don’t worry!
download submission form here:
http://entzaubert.blogsport.de/images/entry_entzaubert09.pdf or http://entzaubert.blogsport.de/images/entryformentzaubert.doc
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
deadline: May 1st 2009
contact: entzaubert[at]riseup.net
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
/ / / / WORKSHOPS / / / /
up for sharing your skills? need a reason to make your first film?
we plan to organize a couple of workshops during the festival.
we would like you to prepare, moderate or host them – or simply share equipment…
This might be filming, editing, directing, subtitling, writing, costumes, make-up, acting, light/sound/camera as well as discussions.
Just write us an email with your ideas.
/ / / / ABOUT ENTZAUBERT / / / /
entzaubert is non-commercial, entry to all screenings is by donation.
we support the idea of copyleft and creative commons.
entzaubert offers a platform for movies, films, documentaries that might not get screened in mainstream commercial festivals.
entzaubert is a radical queer festival.
We think that queer is about living your life in a political way which challenges gender and power structures.
We think that fucking with gender normativity, abolishing borders and fighting for migrants’ and workers’ rights are all part of one struggle.
The capitalist system is based on social inequality. So for us opposing capitalism is fundamental to the fight against transphobia, homophobia and sexism as well as racism, fascism and militarism.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
http://entzaubert.blogsport.de
venue:schwarzerkanal berlin
Thursday, 2 April 2009
colouring outside the lines - the exhibition
A few snippets of information to whet your appetite for the upcoming Colouring Outside The Lines exhibition this summer...
The exhibition is to be held at Gallery II in Bradford.
Running from Fri 26th June to Fri 24th July, 2009, this group exhibition will feature British female artists working beyond the bounds of the cultural, or artistic mainstream.
The exhibition is a curatorial collaboration between Rachel Kaye from Gallery II, and Melanie Maddison [me!] of Colouring Outside The Lines zine.
The exhibition will feature artworks and installations by:
Morwenna Catt
Helen Musselwhite
Louise Art&Ghosts
Abigail Brown
and
Heidi Burton
The exhibition is to be held at Gallery II in Bradford.
Running from Fri 26th June to Fri 24th July, 2009, this group exhibition will feature British female artists working beyond the bounds of the cultural, or artistic mainstream.
The exhibition is a curatorial collaboration between Rachel Kaye from Gallery II, and Melanie Maddison [me!] of Colouring Outside The Lines zine.
The exhibition will feature artworks and installations by:
Morwenna Catt
Helen Musselwhite
Louise Art&Ghosts
Abigail Brown
and
Heidi Burton
younger than jesus
The Generational: Younger Than Jesus is a new Triennial at New Museum, New York, USA. It runs from April 8th to June 14th 2009. The exhibition focusses on 50 emerging artists from 25 countries, all of whom are under 33.
Colouring Outside The Lines zine issue 4 has gone on its travels to New York to feature in the 'live archive' resources section of the exhibition space, explained as:
Colouring Outside The Lines zine issue 4 has gone on its travels to New York to feature in the 'live archive' resources section of the exhibition space, explained as:
The New Museum’s fifth-floor Museum as Hub space will serve as the live archive of “The Generational: Younger Than Jesus.” Organized by freelance critic Brian Sholis, the space will serve as a research platform, discussion venue, and repository of international periodicals, films, and music created by or documenting this generation. Materials will be gathered from diverse sources: Sholis’s conversations and interviews with the exhibition’s artists; contemporary publications and zines selected by international correspondents; and texts by philosophers, sociologists, journalists, marketing, and technology experts about this generation.
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