Irazema H. Vera
Sound artist and musicologist, sound engineer and music producer. My artistic practice is deeply rooted in the relationships and connections between the territory and its communities through memory, music and listening; and how these face the environmental crisis and challenge hegemonic discourses.
I develop soundscapes from auralities through recordings in territory, testimonies and traditions, and the interaction between them; to later complement them with approaches to cartographies that propose a look at these connections and relationships as a call for climate justice.
Aileen Gavonel
Visual artist specializing in ceramics.
In my material exploration, I focus on the reconsideration and recreation of techniques and forms of artistic production, whose foundation responds to the imperative circumstances of the place and time in which I live.
The impulses that animate my artistic expression unfold around a conceptual matrix that addresses issues from fragility as an intrinsic condition of human existence, to the transcendence of the recovery of affection as a restorative phenomenon. My work reflects on the healing and ritual dimension of everyday ornaments.
aileengavonel.com
Let's Sing Together
by Aileen GavonelYou will need:
^a tarot deck.
^^Minimum 3 people.
^^^some pieces of paper to write a letter.
^^^^some pieces of paper to write words on.
1. Introduction - What is "susto"?
Share experiences of susto (individual or collective) and/or treatments for susto.
("susto" is a syndrome often translated as "soul loss" or "fright" and is typically treated through traditional healing practices.)
2. Let's manage our thoughts
^Set an intention.
^^Write a letter to yourself addressing your susto and your intention for this practice.
^^^Fold up your letter and put it in a basket.
3. Tarot as musical score
^Each person draws a tarot card.
^^Everyone turns over their card and looks at it carefully.
ONE:
Begin "singing" the initial letter of the number on the card. Pronounce that first letter until a first word that starts with that letter comes to mind. (eg; if your card is seven of cups, begin "ssss...ssssss..ss...ss" until a word emerges that connects with the card....sssssss....snake")
Each person enters into the word for a while with their voice.
Sing it
pronounce it
stretch it
explore it
At the same time, write the word down on a piece of paper. Put the piece of paper in the middle of the circle so everyone can read it.
TWO:
Find an object in the card's image that stands out or resonates with your susto.
Write down the word on another piece of paper and sing/explore it as you did with the previous one.
THREE:
Find an action or emotion in the card's image that stands out or resonates with your susto.
Write it and sing it.
FOUR:
Onomatopoeia and sounds, without words.
Write them and sing them.
4. The susto suite/symphony
All the words and sounds of the tarot score are in the centre of the circle where everyone can see them.
ONE:
Someone begins by choosing the first word. They pick up the piece of paper with that word and give it a melody while placing it down as the first part of the phrase. The melody is repeated by the others.
TWO:
Another person chooses the next word, moves the paper alongside the first word and suggests a melody. Now both are sung together, extending the mantra and the phrase begins to compose itself.
THREE:
When the phrase is complete, experiment with onomatopoeia and sounds.
You can return to the initial mantra, adding non-word sounds.
FOUR:
When ready, each person gradually moves towards silence, and into a final introspection.
Each in their own time.
5. INVOCATION
Call each other by our names: "Come back, Irazema! Come, Irazema, come!"
6. Close and exit the ritual
Light a small fire if possible.
Read the letter written at the beginning.
When you're ready, burn the paper.
Cantemos juntxs 11.10.24
Reading(with) Aileen Gavonel & Irazema H. Vera
"In a post-pandemic world, where care and accompaniment seem to be limited privileges, we wanted to explore and revalue these aspects as an essential part of our humanity."
- Aileen and Irazema
Building on the Mundos habitables research, Aileen and Irazema developed a voice stretching and choral training workshop. During the month of September 2024, they created a voice laboratory in which they planned a series of exercises to explore the concept of "susto" (fright) as a form of emotional blockage that can be transformed through the voice. The research culminated in a choral experience in which participants used tarot cards as a score to explore susto and develop an experimental chorus.
"In a post-pandemic world, where care and accompaniment seem to be limited privileges, we wanted to explore and revalue these aspects as an essential part of our humanity."
- Aileen and Irazema
Building on the Mundos habitables research, Aileen and Irazema developed a voice stretching and choral training workshop. During the month of September 2024, they created a voice laboratory in which they planned a series of exercises to explore the concept of "susto" (fright) as a form of emotional blockage that can be transformed through the voice. The research culminated in a choral experience in which participants used tarot cards as a score to explore susto and develop an experimental chorus.
exercises
