Emory | Cenza | David | Taylor | Nikki | Conrad | Eddie | Alexa
April 14 | Emory Hall
Chicago
“Combing thru deal$” coupons, wheat paste and paint
I'm passing the time thinking about grocery shopping. It's my only excursion these days. I like to wander around and daydream in grocery stores but since things have changed, it's a much more anxious and dutiful excursion. I want to be in and out. I may buy more than I need or less than I need. If I want to cook something, I've gotta think about it first. It's not my default setting but I'm open to change in the time being. I like thinking about what everyone is cooking, if they're trying new foods or if they're all eating mac and cheese. I haven't seen boxes of pasta in a while. I wonder what everyone's favorite ice cream is. I hope they have it in stock.
Emory Hall is an interdisciplinary artist working with food. She works as a food stylist, caterer and feeds residents at Ox-Bow School of Art. She took a class this winter from a "3D Food Philosopher". She hopes to keep exploring eating experiences and recontextualizing food as a medium.
April 14 | Cenza Della Donna
New Jersey
This week (or month) has been focused on the true champion of pasta sauce. Canned anchovies. Add them with your garlic to take your texture and flavor to new heights for your inevitable pantry pasta. To be paired with a glass of white wine whilst putting together your fifth puzzle.
Cenza Della Donna is a New Jersey based illustrator and hand-lettering artist who writes things over and over again until they look like she wrote them in five seconds. Like the perfect messy bun. Follow her Instagram for artist ramblings, bangin' manicures and cat pics.
Website | Instagram
April 14 | David Gordezky
Chicago
"POV, I'm your lover (and trained dancer) years after the plague, we touch for the first time..." is meditation on our societies ability to heal after a trauma. Once this is over, what will the simple act of physical touch mean? Is it a risk to hold hands? Can we occupy the same space? Also there's a nude body suit.
In the before times, David was a clown, actor, and puppeteer with Rough House Theater. Now he mostly plays Animal Crossing, video chats, makes curry, and does yoga. If 10 y/o David could see him now...
April 14 | Taylor Hunsberger
New York City
This time has been very anxious and somber and I have been struggling with how to feel or react to the uncertainty. My senator sent us an email with resources today though, and having someone look out for our communities in that way is reassuring.
Taylor Hunsberger is a writer and comedian living in New York City, you can find her recapping The Bachelor on Instagram @tayparade and talking about pop culture on Twitter @tayparade. Her writing can be found at taylorhunsberger.com
April 14 | Nikki Hartung
Chicago
I had to look at my calendar to remember the week & what I did. The days seem long, but short(?) and I don't know how that is but it seems to be the consensus. But, they are each sweet in their own little way. I feel lucky for a lot and also angry at lot. Last week two of my dear friends had birthday's- one of them, being my roommate! I felt like a sneaky, secret service agent as I planned how to order, and pick up (while staying safe) her festive, bbq inspired cake (she loves bbq). I've been teaching virtual kids yoga once a day M-Th. and it is one of the funniest hour's in my day. I went on a blind zoom date & I think I'm over trying to date amidst this. I'm finding happiness in the stillness, in the quietness of reading and writing just to write with no aim in mind. A phrase I've been mulling over is "before fixing what you're looking at, check what you're looking through... Got a dirty eye, see a dirty world". And when all else fails, I've been dancing alone in my apartment.
Nikki is a performer, writer and clown based in Chicago, IL. She recently wrote performed her first solo show, You, Me & Astrology. She loves collaborating & making honest, exciting, dumb, funny (sometimes sad) work. She's stoked to be here. Here is a photo of the cake I got for my roommate (credit to local backer Sara Ilene!) & one of me in my natural habitat.
April 14 | Conrad Kluck
New York City
This week I - Wrote more on a script than I had managed weeks previously - Got drunk and watched National Treasure for the first time - Walked 30 min in the sun to water some of the biggest indoor plants I've seen, for friends who have vacated the city. - Did dishes. - Played a video game about exploring the basement of a crumbling manor invested with extra-planar horrors. - Slept well. - Slept poorly. - Did dishes. - Discovered easy ways to play board games online. - Pretended to be watching a popular TV show for "research" on a project, but in reality just wanted to watch it. - Did dishes. - Stressed about how we were running out of food in the apartment. - Stress ate. - Did dishes. - Exercised, but less than the week before. - Called family a lot. - Did dishes.
Conrad Kluck is a NYC-based director and producer. Born in Seattle, Conrad's work draws on the power of myth, superstition and archetypes to look at contemporary themes and issues. He co-curates the monthly FEAST: A Performance Series, showcasing performance art of all styles and approaches. During quarantine times, FEAST is presenting weekly nights of live-streamed performances, Mondays at 7pm, on Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/feastperformance . Conrad moonlights as a theater carpenter and technician.
April 14 | Eddie Miller
Chicago
I’m finding a new sense of comfort with myself during this experience. It’s like my entire world fell apart and I was fired from my life and now I’m trying to reassemble it. Let’s hope it looks even shinier on the other side. When was the last time you spent this much time with yourself?
Eddie is an actor, singer, and yoga instructor. You can find him through Instagram @edwardjamesm or book a yoga class.
holier than thou
April 14 | Alexa Palmero
Chicago
My week: making peposo dell’impruneta, getting even further into Mariah Carey’s back catalog, very sore from an afternoon remote dance class, incredulous that I was ever out among crowds of people and went to alien places like “clubs” and “bars” or felt things like “human touch” at any point in my life. Emotionally flip-flopping at record speeds from rage to contentedness to helplessness to gratitude to primal fear. Hoping I can lean into the instability and expand my generosity and empathy.
Alexa Palmero is from Miami, FL and now lives in Chicago. She performs and produces shows at iO Theater and CIC Theater, among others. She writes as well. She enjoys staring into the middle distance.