Thursday, April 30, 2009

R4W at "Zoom In On Girls"

Liz Solo and Jen Skywalker are off to Halifax in May to attend the Atlantic regional Zoom In On Girls event - a gathering of individuals and organizations who work with girls and young women. The Zoom events focus on issues related to young women. Participants are invited to share their experiences and knowledge while exploring action strategies. We look forward to meeting and sharing our work with other women from around the Atlantic provinces.

This event was generated by the Girls Action Foundation. R4W members have been working with this wonderful organization since 2006. Please visit their website to find out more their work.

from Girls Action Website
"Fondation filles d’action - Girls Action Foundation is a national charitable organization that inspires and supports the empowerment, leadership and healthy development of girls across Canada. Grounded in research and girls’ realities, our innovative programs address: violence prevention, community engagement, media literacy education, health promotion, anti-racism and healthy sexuality. Our programs combine creative expression, knowledge and skill building activities, mentorship, community action and fun. Through local girls' programs and the national network, Girls Action works to raise awareness and mobilize action towards the elimination of violence and discrimination.

At Girls Action we believe that every girl should have what she needs to participate fully in society. Our activities create opportunities for girls and young women to build their strength, discover their power and gain the confidence they need to bring their gifts to the world. Building a movement of active, engaged young women and organizations across Canada, we envision a new generation committed to creating a just and peaceful world."

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Miss You

These photos are of Liz and Jen on the set of Liz's upcoming virtual theatre performance Live Home Alien Birth, taking place at the Alternator Gallery in Kelowna, BC on Saturday April 11th at 8 PM. Special appearances by Second Front and Avatar Orchestra Metaverse.

The large blue sphere is from a virtual installation from Liz Solo's project - Methods For Contacting the Dead. Images appeared in a group show at Lucky's Gallery, Vancouver, curated by Jo Cook. To see more about this work please visit Liz Solo's Machine I Am Blog

The blue sphere is actually a little shrine to the two Grand Dames of the Newfoundland Theatre - Janis Spence and Mercedes Barry - ever loved and never forgotten. Individually, Janis and Mercedes were each pioneers of live original theatre and of feminist theatre in Newfoundland, inspiring thousand with their powerful voices as actors, playwrights, mentors, directors and writers. When they worked together they were an awesome force to be reckoned with, as anyone who saw their productions of Dario Fo and Franco Rama's Female Parts or any of their original work with Resource Center for the Arts and Sheila's Brush Theatre Companys can attest. Roles 4 Women draw inspiration and strength from the memory of their work and example.

In the virtual world of Second Life our avatars visit the memory sphere, called "Miss You", and sit inside the shrine to reflect. "Miss You" is installed on Odyssey Island in Second Life

Photo of Janis Spence and Mercedes Barry by Kent Barrett.
Build in Second Life by Liz Solo.