Artist in Residence
The Hendricks Chapel Artist in Residence is a program designed to use art as a means of creative interfaith dialogue and relationship building. Each year the Chapel sponsors two artists to work with university and community members in art projects that build relationships and understanding across faith differences.
In the past we have hosted Matthew Works, a homeless artist and activist whose work explores issues of faith and the plight of homelessness in America, as well as a student video installation from the Many Faiths, One Humanity experience that explored issues of diversity, contemplation, perspective and religious pluralism.
In the 2011-2012 academic year our artists will run two educational programs.
Sitting Still Contemplative Video Project:
“Can video cameras serve as tools for exploring the world from a non-violent point of view? How can sharing videos facilitate creative contemplation of our environment, mindful well-being, and foster human connection?” These are the questions that led Reverend Dean Tiffany Steinwert to invite Anne Beffel, a New York based public artist and Associate Professor of Art at Syracuse University to bring the Sitting Still Contemplative Video project to Hendricks Chapel. Within the Hendricks context,Contemplative Video employs videos as a means of interreligious dialogue. By creating contemplative videos from a completely still perspective, students are encouraged to slow their pace, observe the world around them and appreciate the perspectives of others. Through a dialogue of videos, students begin to talk about differences and similarities in perspective, faith, and values. University students will engage and be trained in this form of video dialogue and will facilitate workshops for diverse high school students. For more information about this program, please contact Hendricks Chapel at 443-2901 or stop by the Hassett Dean’s Suite located on the lower level of Hendricks Chapel.
Rhythm and Roots
COURSE: Students can register for a 1 credit interdisciplinary course on the use of music as a means of fostering community and mediating conflict. This 10 week course will culminate in a collaborative concert with area high school students. Registration is limited to 25 students, so be sure to register early. If you encounter difficulty in registering or registration is closed, please contact Michelle Mondo, 443-2685, mrmondo@syr.edu.
COMMUNITY EVENT: We welcome Blodgett students, teachers, parents, community members, and Syracuse University students to participate in the program. This program is free to all. There is a limit of 25 participants (15 middle school students and 10 teachers, parents, or community members). This program includes 10 workshops, two rehearsals, and two final performances. If you would like to participate in this program, please fill out the attached registration form. Registration forms can be turned in to the main office at Westside Academy at Blodgett, faxed to (315) 443-4128, or emailed to smbyrd@syr.edu.
Tuesdays, beginning January 24, 2:45 PM - 4:30 PM
Westside Academy at Blodgett
312 Oswego Street
Syracuse, NY 13204
Rhythm and Roots (R&R) is a project of music educator, Nisha Purushotham, that uses African diaspora drumming to create community across difference, increase cultural competency and discuss the role of religion and spirituality in the arts. R&R is co-sponsored by Hendricks Chapel, The School of Education and the College of Visual and Performing arts. It will include an interdisciplinary course on the use of music as a means of fostering community and mediating conflict, a community course for high school students in communities of conflict, as well as an apprenticeship for students that will ensure this program continues at the university and in the community beyond the residency. For more information about this program, please contact our Office of Engagement Programs in the lower level of Hendricks Chapel or email Director, Syeisha Byrd at smbyrd@syr.edu
We will also highlight artistic presentations including:
Caravanaserai: Lecture and Performance by a Pakistani Qawwalli ensemble
October 10th at 3:30 PM at Hendricks Chapel
Qawwali, traditional Sufi devotional music that expresses human longing for the divine, has gained a worldwide following. These singers are torch bearers for their tradition, and descendants of one of the first Qawwali performers in the 13th century. In the realm of South Asian music, when it comes to percussionists emanating from the subcontinent, the name of Ustad Tari Khan is inseparable from tabla. Today he is acknowledged as one of the foremost tabla players of all time by musicians all over the world, and his performances are at once exhilarating and elating for the audience.
Buglisi Dance Theatre
The Table of Silence Project
Date TBA
The Table of Silence Project—a ceremonial performance by 100 dancers—will take place at Hendricks Chapel as a commemorative call for tolerance and peace. It is a collaborative work of the Buglisi Dance Theatre, University Arts Presenter, and Syracuse University students.
