FLAM CHEN visits Arcosanti for a 3 week period of practice and work on a short art film. FLAM CHEN is a pyrotechnic theater troupe based in Tucson, Arizona. A decade in the making, Flam Chen has amassed a repertoire of extreme theatre, new circus tactics, martial arts weaponry, all set in a medium of fire. Flam Chen creates unique panoramas of spectacle and narrative— Performers spin balinese fire chains, combat with fire staffs and flaming swords, dance with fire fingers and fire fans, eat and breathe flames, and light costume pieces, sculptures and very often the set itself ablaze during the course of the evening.
This is an evening scene on the roof of the Sky Theater, turned into the Queens Court, for the art-film in production A FISHERMAN'S WISH. Technical director Paul Weir: Flam Chen is now filming our adaptation of "The Fisherman's Wife's Wish". Our version, "The Fisher's Wish" is an exploration of the divine presence in all things more so then the traditional story, which remarked more on the greed of the wife. We chose to update the story for a modern time and added the element of performance art, circus, pantomime, and a general cineographic sensibility that should be refreshing and interesting to modern film viewers.[Photo: Adam Cooper & text: sa]
At a Flam Chen show, you may be invited to witness a "Toybox" come to life with 10-foot dolls, battling toy-soldiers and manic puppet-makers. "Rites ov Spring" merges images inspired by bug life in Microcosmos and the bacchanal of Fellini's Satyricon, all mingled with the choreographic influence of Martha Graham.
At dusk, the roof of the Ceramics Apse, becomes the Empresses Court.[Photo: Adam Cooper & text: sa]
Flam Chen propels itself above the audience on flying trapeze, ziplines, rappels and bungee, creating dazzling characters that hover, zoom or drop out of the sky. The audience is wrapped in visions ranging from futuristic and cyborg, commedia del arte and vaudevillian, to fantasy and fairy tale-esque. The troupe has, over the years, become a production company that fabricates costumes, props, machines, rigging, lighting, and sound— all in house. Technical Director Paul Weir: We have been fortunate to have a strong connection with the community at Arcosanti to be able to utilize the phenomenal locations and of course use of the famous Arcosanti Crane.
In the very early morning hours the sky cooperated magnificently for this shoot of mermaids suspended from the Arcosanti crane.[Photos: Adam Cooper & text: sa]
The Vaults are a perfect area for practice. Paul Weir graciously teaches stilt walking to Arcosanti children and residents. This has been an amazing and exciting visit, especially for the children.
FLAM CHEN has performed at large raves, such as ELECTRIC DAISY CARNIVAL in Hollywood, CA and NOCTURNAL WONDERLAND in Indio, CA; at arts festivals such as NYC FRINGE in New York, PA FRINGE in Philadelphia, TSUNAMI ARTS FESTIVAL in Prescott, Az, International Arts Festival of MACAU, China, GLITTER AND GLOW festival in Glendale, AZ; at numerous clubs and site-specific installations across the nation and overseas. FLAM CHEN has earned awards such as Tucson Weekly's Best Performing Artist Award for the past three years, and a NY FRINGE Excellence Award for "Rites Ov Spring." The troupe also has been raved about in The New York Post, New York Times, Philadelphia Tribune, and Details, among other publications.[Photos & text: sa]
This continues the report on the upcoming SOLERI exhibition, ETHICS AND URBAN INVENTIVNESS. More excerpts from the exhibition catalog:
This initiative intends to fill a gap in the Italian cultural horizon, which has only recently become aware of Soleri's importance and international acclaim as an architect, urban planner, and philosopher. The first signs of adequate recognition of Soleri's position in 20th Century global architecture include the Golden Lion Award [17th of June 2000] on occasion of the 7th International Architectural Exhibition during the Venice Biennale, and a rich monographic book from Architect Iolanda Lima [Jaca Book, 2000]. An exhibition on Paolo Soleri will interest researchers, architects, and the general public, as indicated not only by the immediate response of involved institutions, but also by the extensive public attention to the initiatives, conventions, and workshops promoted during Soleri's recent visits to Italy. Among other events related to Soleri in 2005 are the realization of a massive concrete and bronze sculpture in Vietri sul Mare [Salerno Providence] and the declaration of the Solimene Ceramic Factory, the only work ever completed in Italy [1952-1954], as a cultural landmark. [photo] Crates were built by a certified crating company, with - European Union approved - wood, in order to pass customs formalities in Italy.[Photo & text: sa]
Dave and Jesse, from the Phoenix based CRATERS & FREIGHTERS, cushion scrolls and drawings within the crates.
[Photo & text: sa]
The packing crew: [from left] Matteo Di Michele, Arcosanti Human Resources coordinator, who will accompany the shipment to Rome; Jesse Metzger from Craters & Freighters, Soleri Archive coordinator Sue Anaya, Dave and Gary from Craters & Freighters.
[Photo & text: sa]
The shipment is on it's way. Now Soleri Archive crew prepares the second shipment of materials to be sent in the beginning of September.
This will continue on 8/12 with a report on restoration of the models to be displayed in Rome.[Photo & text: sa]
Soleri Archives reported on the upcoming SOLERI exhibition, ETHICS AND URBAN INVENTIVNESS, first on 12/30/02, on 1/24/04 and 1/28/05.
The exhibition will be hosted by Ministero per i Beni e le Attivita' CulturaIi (the Ministry of Cultures), Istituto Nazionale per la Grafica (National Institute of Graphics) and DARC - Direzione Generale per le Arti e L'Architettura Contemporanee [Contemporary Art and Architecture] in corporation with I"Ordine degli Architetti Pianificatori Paesaggisti e Conservatori di Roma e Provincia [The Roman Association of Professional Architects] in Rome, Italy.
Excerpts from the exhibition catalog:
The section of the exhibition that will be hosted by the Palace of the Trevi Fountain, in conjunction with The Italian National Institute for Writings And Drawings, will give particular attention to Soleri's exceptional free-hand drawings [sketches, views, visions and figurations].These graphic works give background to the genesis of Soleri's architectural and urban formulations. The quality and fecund originality of the ideas and the proposed solutions will allow the public to glimpse a personality characterized by Universal Interests, in the renaissance meaning of the term.
The palace of the Trevi Fountain will host, in particular, most of the graphic works until 1970, placing special emphasis on the rare Italian plans including the projects for Turin, the project for the Amalfi coast; and a special section about the planning and building process of the Solimene Ceramic Factori in Vietri Sul Mare. Graphic masterpieces from the Sixties and Seventies, such as enormous scrolls with the urban visions of Mesa City and Macro Cosanti, will also be included. Paolo Soleri reviews his drawing techniques of one of the Mesa City scrolls before the scroll is packed for the exhibition.[Photo & text: sa]
The section of the exhibition that will be hosted by MAXX, the Department for Architecture and Contemporary Art's National Musem for the 21st Century, will illustrate the progressive elaboration of the concept of arcology, from the original conceptual and graphic ideas defined in Soleri's book: Arcology, City in the Image of Man, to the later Two Suns Arcology series and the Space for Peace project, including the fantastic and utopist manifest of Soleri's ideas in space arcology projects.
Part of the exhibition is the Urbis et Orbis Space Arcology model, now under restoration.[Photo & text: sa]
The section of this exhibition in the Casa dell' Architettura, the main location of the Roman Association of Professional Architects and the former Roman Aquarium, will house Soleri's graphic production and models from the eighties to present and will also organize an urban planning workshop for university students. The nucleus of this part of the exhibition will be the documentation of Arcosanti. Drawings, designs, as well as photographic and multi-media material from initial construction in the Seventies to the most recent Arcosanti 5000 model, will be included.
Workshop participants view some of the drawings for the exhibit.[Photo & text: sa]
Materials for the exhibition will be sent in two shipments. Scroll storage boxes are lined up and labeled for crating for the first shipment.
The exhibition will open October 8. 2005 through January 8. 2006. This report will continue on 7/27.[Photo & text: sa]
Arcosanti alumni Jeff and Ayano Masty visit with twin daughters Fumino and Tsukino. This is the girls first meeting with the twins of Arcosanti Residents Jim and Kelli Huth, Ivy and Fletcher.
[Photo: Ayano Masty & text: sa]
Fumino and Tsukino Masty.
[Photo: Ayano Masty & text: sa]
Monsoon season started late, with heavy thunderstorms in the afternoon. On Saturday, July 16., a lightning bolt struck the mesquite forrest across the Agua Fria river-bed near camp.
[Photo: Kim Young Soo & text: sa]
A very wet spring contributed to an abundance of underbrush which fueled the fire.
[Photo: Kim Young Soo & text: sa]
Arcosanti residents, volunteers and workshop participants were at the scene within minutes ...
[Photo: Kim Young Soo & text: sa]
... until Fire fighters from the Mayer Fire Department arrived, very quickly, with large engines and water trucks. They evacuated camp, extinguished the fire and kept vigilance all through Saturday night and Sunday. All of us at Arcosanti send A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to the Mayer Fire Crew.
[Photo & text: sa]
This continues the report from 7/15. The top of the stairs is reached by a side scaffold. Heavy buckets filled with concrete are passed from hand to hand to be poured into the higher stairs ...
[Photo: David DeGomez & text: sa]
... and into the form for a landing at the top of the stairs.
[Photo: David DeGomez & text: sa]
This landing leads to the roof level of Unit 6 of the East Crescent complex. Report will continue when the forms are removed. The concrete has to set for 28 days to gain full strength.
[Photo: David DeGomez & text: sa]
June 26. Workshop participants, Construction staff and volunteers from various departments work on a concrete pour of the back-stairs to the roof level of Unit 6 in the East Crescent complex. Workshop participants Stephen Wong and Tania Garbe shovel concrete into buckets ...
[Photo: David DeGomez & text: sa]
... which are carried across the foot-bridge behind Unit 6 to the staircase.
[Photo: David DeGomez & text: sa]
Bottom stairs are troweled and finished while stairs above are poured.
[Photo: David DeGomez & text: sa]
Paolo Soleri observes the pour. A stepped scaffold next to the staircase helps to reach the higher steps. This report will continue on 7/18.
[Photo: David DeGomez & text: sa]
Staff and workshop participants wait for their cue to enter the dinner area with the traditional pasta in wheel barrows.
[Photo & text: sa]
Photo opportunity for the paparazzi. Paolo Soleri serves pasta to his guests.
[Photo & text: sa]
Close to 300 people enjoyed a delicious meal in the dramatic ambiance of the Vaults.
[Photo & text: sa]
A brilliant performance on Accordion by Nick Ariondo, accompanied by Larry Hughes on clarinet and soprano sax and Jean Sudbury, violinist and mandolin virtuoso, delighted an enthusiastic crowd.
[Photo & text: sa]
Dinner set-up in the Vaults is ready for the big event. A lot of work lead up to this. Table locations were marked, tables and chairs were carried here from all over the site, chairs were washed, tablecloths had to be clamped to the tables to not take flight in the wind. Even the flower arrangements were tied to the tables.
[Photo & text: sa]
The staff of waiters and servers consists of Arcosanti staff, workshop participants and volunteers.
[Photo & text: sa]
Chef Erika Peres is assisted by visiting chef Eleanor Gillis. On the menu: Antipasto, Linguini with Mushroom Sauce, Roasted Chicken Breast filled with Mozzarella Cheese and Spinach in a Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Sauce, Squash stuffed with Polenta and Fresh Arcosanti Basil, Green Beans and Tomatos with Roasted Garlic, Selected Salad Greens with Paolo Soleri's Special Dressing.
[Photo & text: sa]
Antipasto is served. More to come ....
[Photo & text: sa]
ITALIAN NIGHT 2005 is tomorrow. This photo was taken during last years event.
[Photo & text: sa]
The Colly Soleri Amphitheater is prepared.
[Photo & text: sa]
The crew gathers for instructions. All of the work is detailed into teams. This is the biggest event of the year at Arcosanti. More to come .....
[Photo & text: sa]
The fire is no longer visible from Arcosanti. This photo was taken on Friday, July 1, when it seemed very close to us.
News from the Wildfire web-site on JULY 02 was -- BLACK CANYON CITY, AZ [28 miles south]: A major burnout has put miles of black between a small Arizona town and the fire that's been threatening it, with thousands of acres burned off yesterday ahead of the Cave Creek Complex east of Black Canyon City. Heavy airtankers, helicopters, and SEATs painted a long line of retardant, crews built line and stripped fuels from homeowners' yards, and hotshots with drip torches combined with aerial ignition sent a wave of flames through the brush and back toward the oncoming head of the fire. The complex this morning is at 214,300 acres and 37 percent containment; resources on the fire include 28 hotshot crews, nine Type 2 crews, 17 helicopters, 73 engines, six dozers, and 15 water tenders. Almost 1,700 people are working the fire. Contingency plans included possible closure of Interstate 17 but it hasn't been necessary yet, and fire managers don't expect any closures over the holiday weekend. The 16,000-acre burnout yesterday may be all that's needed to protect the town.
And it was.[Photo: Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
Arcosanti residents watching the fire from the top of the Vaults.
[Photo: Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
Welcome to June 26. workshop participants.
[top row from left]Stephen Wong, Julian Lauzanna - seminar week, Leonard Podejko - seminar week, Aliza Murphy, Gabriel Barker - seminar week, Dwight Long, David DeGomez, Andrew Lu, Arah Joe Battista.
[bottom row from left]
Pierre-Antoine Moreno, Joseph Murray, Tania Garbe.
[Photo & Text: Yuki Y]