It’s Week 16, and the journey of this project continues to unfold with exciting developments and profound insights. From an upcoming performance to a new online home, and reflections on the evolution of a grand vision, there’s much to share.
“High John de Conquer” Takes the Stage in Albany
I’m thrilled to announce a performance of my piece, “High John de Conquer,” on June 14, 2025, at the Underground Railroad Education Center in Albany, NY. This performance is part of the center’s Juneteenth Freedom Celebration, with festivities running from 1 PM to 5 PM. It’s an honor to contribute to such a significant event, and I’m deeply grateful to the Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grant for making my participation possible.
In other news, I’m excited to share that laborpainsproject.com is now an active domain! This new ad-free online home will make it easier for everyone to follow the project’s progress and stay updated on future developments.
From Ambitious Vision to Energetic Realities
For those new to the journey, let’s briefly revisit where we began.
When I first announced this project in January, the vision was undeniably ambitious: pilot workshops around Mother’s Day, integrate the history of four U.S. cities, collect oral histories, mount a full-length body map art installation, and perform a site-specific script around it. It was a dream without limits, and I immediately began pursuing funding and partnerships to bring it to life.
Today, my expectations have been tempered by experience, yet my spirit remains incredibly energized.
I’ve learned the power of leveraging existing relationships to gain initial traction, particularly in Albany. These early partnerships instilled the confidence needed to start making “cold calls” – a practice that, with repetition, has become much more manageable.
A key skill I’ve honed throughout this process is simply “showing up.” This isn’t about being aggressive or overly assertive (though I’ve certainly been accused of that at times!). Instead, it’s about finding a delicate balance of interaction and observation in new settings. It’s tempting to assert expertise, but sometimes the most crucial nuances lie in what’s unsaid, the individuals yet to be approached, and the matters left unspoken. Critical to this approach is being beneficial in these encounters.
Before asking for collaboration, it’s essential to understand who is in the room and where the genuine overlap lies. I believe many organizations overlook this crucial step. The most impactful artists I’ve worked with possess an inherent curiosity, attending diverse events and engaging with various communities. This willingness to deviate from established routines, to show up physically and mentally, has opened every door I’ve had the privilege of walking through. To that end, I’m actively building vital relationships in Oakland while meticulously documenting this process for future work in other U.S. cities as the project continues to grow.
Embracing the Visual and the Powerful Pause
As someone who doesn’t typically consider myself a visual artist, the public art installation aspect of this project has been both exhilarating and terrifying. I’m finally experimenting with materials and exploring fabricators, a creative avenue I never imagined myself pursuing. There’s a tangible thrill as each component of the installation begins to materialize, and I anticipate it will be a rather powerful piece.
Perhaps one of the most transformative shifts has been the intentional integration of real life, family time, and rest into the project timeline. For the first time, I’ve had genuine control over the project’s pace, dictating when tasks begin and when they progress. The anxiety this has relieved in my creative flow and overall capacity is immeasurable. This level of autonomy has granted me the freedom to commit unapologetically to the work. Intentional scheduling has even allowed me to maintain a healthy romantic relationship with someone entirely outside of my professional sphere.
Early on, about a month into the project, I unapologetically cut two cities from the scope. I recognized the critical need to focus my time and energy, a strategically sound move that also demonstrates significant growth. This strategic decision now informs my next project, which will expand to, for now, four cities, including these original two (Albany and Oakland). It underscores a thoughtful, long-term commitment to researching and applying body mapping as a communal healing practice.
The workshops planned for this summer are being approached as a pilot program. This deliberate framing provides invaluable time to secure additional funding for more extensive workshops and to maximize their impact. Crucially, it also allows for a period of refinement, enabling me to “perfect” or at least significantly improve the process based on initial feedback.
What insights from this project’s evolution resonate most with your own creative or professional endeavors?
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