I call this my ASSIGNMENT FROM THE UNIVERSE
My calling is to create connection among groups of people, between people and the greater universe, and for each person with her or his inner best self. This understanding of my purpose led to these art projects: Public participatory events and Spider Women Series of Web Installations.
Amulet Mandala Performances
Amulet IS A Ritual of Relationship. It starts with a mass of tangled yarn on the floor and everyone helps to unknot it and roll it into balls while I "spin yarns" of multicultural folklore about the web of creation, cosmic connectivity, and the spider creators (including Anansi). When we have enough balls, we chant the following while throwing and catching balls across the circle.
Tying a knot is making a connection
Making a connection is making energy
Making energy is making love
Making love is tying a knot.
Soon we can see and feel the web that we have created. We sit in the understanding that we are all connected. And we are all connected to all things. When it is time to leave, we break the ties that bind us, but leave on a bracelet of the knotted yarn to remind us of our connectedness with all things. Brazilian custom says that if you wear such a knot until it falls off by itself, it brings good fortune. Usually at this point, no one wants to break free. Once when I presented this at NYU, the whole group, still tied together went to the washroom with a girl who had to pee!
