In the Heart of the Beast Welcomes back the Sun! May Day 2011

In the Heart of the Beast May Day 2011, a set on Flickr.

I was lucky to collect images at
the Annual May Day Celebration put on by the puppet group, In the Heart of the Beast, in Minneapolis. This year's theme was "Caws to Unite". The event is a celebration of inter-connectedness. I was thrilled by the parade and Tree of Life Ceremony.

A Celebration of Public Art Making in Lansing!

Graffiti Artist’s Come out of Hiding for a Weekend of Fun!

Graffiti Artist’s where given the unique opportunity to participate in a three-day makeover of the vacant Deluxe Inn Motel in Lansing, Michigan. More then 50 artists participated, showing an obvious need for Public Art Space!

The Deluxe Inn, located on South Washington Avenue and 496 Highway in Lansing, was once known for drug deals, prostitution, and murder. This weekend the site was transformed into a canvas for community art and expression.

The project comes just before the buildings demolition in three weeks. The Ingham County LandBank hopes to sell the land that sits just behind the Grand River.

A fabulous artist from Korea strikes a pose!

Sam DeBourbon, a local Graffiti Artist, coordinated the participating artists, who came from Chicago, Detroit, Korea and the greater Lansing community. He and a friend where ordered to perform community service for painting underneath a local bridge and he requested to use his art form to fulfill his community service. The idea grew with the help of Joe Manzella from Leap and Eric Schertzing from the Ingham County LandBank.

Sam hard at work!

Several of the Graffiti Artists commented that it felt great to create their art publicly instead of on the run. One painter commented it felt weird to have time to prepare and plan his picture. This art form is a misunderstood and often undervalued expression of urban subculture. It was a chance to show graffiti art as more then vandalism.

These two guys win the teamwork award!

Greater Lansing has a vibrant and active art scene and more people where interested in painting and watching then the organizers expected. Many of the people who participated where first time spray –painters, others where respected members of the underground Graffiti Artist Network. I felt a real sense of community, collaboration and excitement while I was hanging around; people where sharing paint, ideas and compliments.

Residents of all ages and backgrounds came to watch and share stories. Schertzing fielded questions from the curious public and commented that former police officers, local artist, teachers, builders and residents of all ages and backgrounds stopped by to tell their tales.

Some residents complained on the WLNS New Blog that Graffiti is not art and the project was a waste of resources. Interestingly, that same weekend Lansing, Michigan was chosen as one of the 10 Great Cities for Young Adults in Kiplinger's latest search for top cities.

They selected communities that ”specialize in out-of-the-box thinking. New ideas generate new businesses," says Kevin Stolarick.

Mark Emmert, president of the University of Washington in Seattle, noted that Great Towns promote smart people, great ideas and collaboration. This celebration of Public Art Making was a great success and I hope the community does it again. As Lansing and the entire State of Michigan reinvents it's future, I suggest we continue to include the vision of local Artists in the plan!

A first time Graffiti Artist Shows off his creation. He read about the event in the paper and decided to give it a try!

To see more photos go to:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/petraproductions/sets/72157624638174736/

Update:

I continue to go back and take photos of the Deluxe Inn/Old Motel 6 in it's current state of glory. I can't help but marvel at the many types of Aerosal Arts. At the same time, it's hard to overlook the darkness and desperation that once filled this same location. Each time I go back I see new art, and a fresh crowd of faces enjoying this example of how supporting community art can transform neighborhoods. I find it so refreshing that the art of the people has healed this testy spot, at least for a moment!

Artist Statement

M. Petra Daher

I consider myself a collector of stories. The stories that I collect are an expression of creativity, freedom, love, and learning. Throughout my life I have used many artistic mediums to capture and preserve the stories that come to me: photography, video, film, media activism, drum, clay, collage, journal, blog and puppetry, just to name a few. My muse is always changing. The celebration of creative expression is very important to me. I am happiest when I am creating.


I began my artistic journey in childhood. I come from a family of photographers and storytellers. Documenting events was encouraged and revered in my family. I got my first camera from my Aunt Rose when I was ten and have been a devoted photographer ever since. My favorite subject matter is culture, nature, and grassroots activism. My artistic approach is a mixture of both observational and expository styles. I am most inspired by natural light, the seasons, the charisma of everyday people and the natural beauty of an impromptu situation.


Technology and artistic expression allow me to preserve a moment in time; that is and will always be miraculous and precious to me! It is a collector of stories greatest pleasure to encapsulate an extraordinary character, to preserve the memory of a beautiful day or to capture the grassroots movement’s protest. Cameras are enchanting and a great photograph is the culmination of a perfect story. It is a privilege to honor and save a moment in time.

A Collector of Stories Exhibit of Photography at The Creole Gallery

M. Petra Daher
Photographer/Filmmaker/Video Blogger

E-mail: dahervideo@yahoo.com

Photography Exhibit
In My Mind’s Eye
An Endless Canvas

The Creole Gallery
Lansing, Michigan
January 3 - February 2010
Opening reception February 7th, 2010 from 1-5pm

This is an exhibit of some of my favorite nature photography, photojournalism and portraiture taken between 2005 -2009 in Michigan, Hawaii and south central Mexico. The series is an exploration of the beauty in a random moment in time.

During the opening reception I will also show my documentary project, “Tree Hugger Travel presents Sayulita,” and two music videos featuring the beauty and culture of Hawaii set to the music of the Hawaiian band, Kava Music. Kava Music is an Oahu based band featuring my brother Philip on guitar. Tree Hugger Travel is a series of travelogues I created and produced for the Internet that promotes affordable and Eco-friendly travel adventures.

The Creole Gallery

1218 Turner Street
Lansing, Michigan, 48906
Gallery hours Sat and Sun 1-5 pm or by appointment # 371-2736









Biography
Petra Daher is a photographer, director, videographer, editor, and media education instructor. Daher specializes in documentary film and observational photography. Her favorite subject matter is culture, nature, and grassroots activism. Petra Daher’s work has been seen on cable, public and educational television, at galleries, schools, and conferences and at film festivals. In 2004, her anti-war protest footage from Lansing’s “Michigan Says No to War!” rally appeared in a music video for The System of the Down’s song, “Boom”, directed by Michael Moore. Daher is currently seeking distribution and sponsorship for her independently produced travel documentary series called, Tree Hugger Travel.