BMCM+AC is proud to present a virtual program centered on TAYO, a new light+sound activation and ongoing community sculpture from Grace Villamil, in collaboration with IONE and Lisa Kelley of the Ministry of Maåt. Join us below for the world premiere of a new video about the October 24th activation of TAYO, from cinematographer Sam Falconi and filmmaker Marina Katz, created with the support of BMCM+AC.
TAYO, the inclusive “We” or “Us” in Tagalog, the language of the Philippines, (Grace’s background and where her parents emigrated from in the late 1960s) was a light+sound activation and ongoing community sculpture at Pauline Oliveros’ Deep Listening Plaza in Kingston NY. TAYO was created by artist Grace Villamil in collaboration with IONE (Pauline Oliveros’ life partner) and Lisa Kelley (founder of the Deep Listening Community) to bring awareness to the separation of children and families and give support to immigrant communities in Kingston and around the world. Most especially, this project directly addresses the immigration issue in the United States focusing on the children, women, and families who have been separated by ICE.
The TAYO sculpture is an on-going community effort where anyone can add a stuffed animal in solidarity with the children. The stuffed animal is a symbol of the unconditional love children are constantly giving to the world. TAYO is a physical manifestation of the strength & love a community can bring in our most trying and difficult time.
In this conversation, Grace Villamil shares her hopes for the future and insights into TAYO, as well as her installation search for function, commissioned for the 2018 exhibition Between Form and Content: Perspectives on Jacob Lawrence and Black Mountain College.
Grace Villamil is a first-generation Filipino-American and multidisciplinary artist exploring interconnectivity between humans and nature through installation, video, and sound. She has performed live-video manipulations as an accompaniment to electronic and live instruments in venues such as Southbank London, Elbphilharmonie Kleiner Saal Hamburg, The Broad/Redcat Los Angeles, Issue Project Room NYC, and in Boston w/ ACT, an MIT media lab. Her installation “Search For Function,” a collaboration with Tyondai Braxton, was commissioned by BMCM+AC for the Fall 2018 exhibition Between Form and Content: Perspectives on Jacob Lawrence and Black Mountain College.
IONE is an author/playwright/director and improvising text-sound artist. She has taught and performed throughout the world with her creative partner and spouse of 30 years, Pauline Oliveros.
Lisa B. Kelley is a vocalist, performer, and founding member of the Deep Listening community in Kingston.
The Deep Listening Plaza was dedicated to Pauline Oliveros on August 3rd, 2018. Pauline Oliveros (1932-2016) was a pioneering Composer, Performer, and Humanitarian whose work affected everyone globally and locally. She lived in Kingston for over 30 years and was dedicated to building Kingston into the vibrant community it is today.
Pauline Oliveros (The Center for Contemporary Music Archives, Mills College)
Marina Katz is an artist and filmmaker based in New York. Her feature edit MATANGI / MAYA / M.I.A. premiered at Sundance and the Berlinale and opened the Museum of Modern Art’s New Directors / New Films. Other works have appeared at Sundance (Suicide by Sunlight), CPH:Dox (The Brink), and BAMcinemafest (All Good Things) among other festivals. Her short film “Rauschenberg At Work” was included at Pace Gallery New York from October 23 – December 12, 2015 during the exhibition Robert Rauschenberg: Anagrams, Arcadian Retreats, Anagrams (A Pun). Marina’s grandmother Betsy Williams, great uncle David Weinrib, and step-grandfather Paul Williams were alumni or faculty of Black Mountain College.
Sam Falconi is a cinematographer with over a decade of experience shooting around the world for clients including Beyoncé, Prince, Nicki Minaj, Gucci, Vogue, H&M, Tommy Hilfiger, Tidal, and Time Magazine. Sam’s fascination with cinema began as a child playing with his father’s old Bolex and viewing 16mm films projected in the house. He continued to shoot films with his friends throughout school. At 20, he took a position apprenticing with legendary cinematographer Harris Savides (American Gangster, Zodiac). Since then, Sam has shot award-winning documentaries, music videos, films, and digital media. He is based in New York City and the Hudson Valley.
