MOVEMENTS IN PARIS
Movements in Paris is a performance dedicated to the late artists Jeanne-Claude, Christo, and my mother Eileen. In 2019 it was announced that Christo would wrap the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Its installation would be postponed until 2021 due to the pandemic and in 2020 Christo transitioned into the next life, making the Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped his final realized work.
My love for Jeanne-Claude and Christo is a deep love. They were the first artists whose work dared me to dream big. Their temporary, large-scale installations showed me that anything was possible, even the absurd and unbelievable. During the pandemic, I spent several weeks watching documentaries about the artwork and lives of Jeanne-Claude and Christo. It was a dream of mine to see one of their works in person. It wasn't easy to see their installations, seeing they only lasted for two weeks, even though it could take decades to build. So once it was announced that Christo's dream of wrapping the Arc de Triomphe would happen, I knew I would have to make that trip to Paris.
What I didn't know, was that my mother would pass away a month before this installation. At that point, it seemed impossible for me to go. I was now living in Maryland and was given the responsibility of guardian to my two preteen sisters. It seemed selfish to go, (something I realized mothers around the world must feel), but this was the last realized work by Christo. This would be my last chance. I knew I would regret it if I didn't go. My mother knew how much I loved their work and she was a fan herself. I felt her telling me to go.
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I started my movement work with sculptures in 2019 after visiting the Palm Springs biannual. Finding a flow and moving in front of and around sculptures seemed natural to me. My performances were inspired by the sculptures. I became curious about how movement, space, and sculpture could connect.
Movements in Paris is my first time performing in public in front of several people. What I learned: people do not care, so perform anyway. ​​
Movements in Paris celebrates the impossibilities of life and the ability to transform dreams into a lived reality. It expresses a transfer of inspiration artists give to one another and pays homage to my deep appreciation of the love Jeanne-Claude and Christo shared with each other and in their work. Their practice is a reminder that if you believe in something, believe in it even when no one else does. Keep going. Think bigger. Ask for more.
I am grateful to have existed at the same time that two fantastic artists were alive. I thank them for their contributions to the arts.
Rest in peace to both brilliant, beautiful souls.
It was by fate that my sister by love, Anaka, would be in Paris too. She took on the task of photographing me in front of the Arc de Triomphe, which allowed me to focus on my movements instead of my self-portraiture. ​
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This work was made in September 2021 and captured on a medium-format camera.
For more details of this day, Jeanne-Claude and Christo, and the history of the Arc de Triomphe, please read my Artletter, Postcards From Paris.
