Weekly Selfie 5: Performing A Dream- Frances Martinez

I chose to do a video with my daughter on the beach. We have been going lately since we are less than 30 minutes away. My daughter has molded my identity in a way I could never imagine. She has taught me to enjoy the simple things and has brought out these child-like qualities in me that I think fade as we get older. This moment captures us doing cartwheels on the beach. You will hear music and someone screaming in the background that was not intentional. I wanted to capture this raw moment of just being in the moment no matter our surroundings. My goal in life is to live positively and enjoy the time with the people I love because you never know how much time you have left on earth.

How to find the light at the end of the tunnel

1.Find your way out

2.Pick your favorite person

3.Go to a peaceful place

4.Now do cartwheels together

5.Enjoy 

-12:58 PM/FM

How to cry

1.Cry

2.Catch every tear into a bowl

3.See how much you can collect

4.Don't stop until its full

5.Repeat until necessary 

-11:47AM/FM

How to hide

1.Become invisible

2.Turn on the tv

3.Wait for someone to notice

4.Follow them around

5.Stay like that forever

-12:30 PM/FM

NYTimes | Being Marina Abromovic

Quote 1:I had my first exhibition of paintings when I was 14. I painted my dreams. I remember being so jealous of Mozart because he started composing when he was a young child. I knew it was too late for me to be a genius, but I tried my best. I remember my first painting. It was of a candle from which there were streaks of light that were different faces, and one face fell on the table — it was my face. It was about how you inherit an image of yourself. Or something like that. It was all in green and blue.

Response 1: This stood out to me because dreams are very personal to me and when I see an artist get inspiration from their dreams, you can really feel what they are trying to  interpret. It is a kind of intuitiveness that is unique to the artist, and the message is much more personal to the viewer because of the creation coming from a dream.

Quote 2: The first step is to get an idea. Not an easy idea but one that makes me go, “Oh my god. No, no, no, no.” An idea that gets stuck in my stomach. Then, I get obsessed and, finally, I say, “OK, I’m going to do it.” That moment of decision is very important. Then I do it. But a piece always starts with an idea that I don’t like — something I’m afraid of — and going into the unknown.

Response 2: I relate with this because of the aspect of creating art that feels like diving into the unknown. Having a vivid image of what you want to create, and the process of creating enhances the experience and the outcome of the piece. Being afraid and hesitant about creating something, Abromovic uses this as her fuel to create uniquely and unapologetically.