Exciting Masks Update

Davita's Harp sold at the first performance!

Jakob Daw sold at the closing performance!

Baba Yaga was purchased as a donation for permanent display at Milagro Theater!!!!!! It just happened Tuesday!

I will soon post the exciting details!!!!

Jakob Daw

Jakob Daw

Jakob is possibly my most favorite Potok character in the book.

He is a lovable but rather strange character. He seems able to charm everyone with his mystical stories and his gentle manner.

Davita tells us, “He was a small man, not much taller than my mother, thinly boned, with delicate features and white hands and narrow shoulders. He looked fragile and infirm.” 

At first glance his stories seem odd, bizarre. I find them allegorical, mirroring events from his own life. The stories are haunting, as are the events of his life.

Jakob’s stories often speak of birds with large dark eyes and short wings. His imagination seems to somehow help him turn his pain into stories that are both deeply political but also painfully personal.

Jakob doesn’t just write stories…he tells them. Words emerge from his lips and take flight. He uses his stories to connect with Davita who lovingly calls him “uncle.”

Unlike the other masks, I needed Jakob's face mounted on backing so I could surround his head with birds... a key element to his stories. His goatee is made with antique typewriter keys I "won" in an eBay bidding war. I lost 2 other bidding wars before scoring these. Dollar store glasses frame his eyes and comprise his nose.

Scroll down for information about the performance schedule....through April 9. It is a show you don't want to miss!

Meet Davita's Dad- Michael

Michael

Davita's father is a passionate man. He loves his wife Annie and daughter, but he is utterly devoted to his quest for social justice. As a reporter, he is committed to reporting on the political climate.

Michael and his wife Annie believe Communism holds the answers for economic and social justice in America.. Politics is religion in the Chandal household. They frequently host house meetings to promote Unionism. Their passionate politics come at a price however when unsympathetic landlords evict them frequently for their political activism.

Eventually Michael finds himself in Spain during the Spanish Civil War.  A supporter of the Republican leftists, he covers the battles in Guernica where he demonstrates his selfless activism.

I chose to use the flag of the Republican leftists of Spain for half of Michael's face, including his nose. The hat band came from an old hat at least 40 years old and is studded with a communist pin (picture of Lenin.) Carrying the communist theme a little farther, I gifted him with a red star left eye. I used calligraphic pen nibs for his hair and mouth. A few old typewriter keys make up his sideburns.

This  and the other masks will be on display at Milagro Theater in SE Portland throughout the run of Jewish Theater Collaborative's production of Davita's Harp. Scroll down to earlier posts for information about this production...or go to the Jewish Theater Collaborative website: 

http://www.jewishtheatrecollaborative.org/davitas-harp-mainstage.html

The Door Harp

The Door Harp

I have always been fascinated by these old world instruments, but I never bought one for myself until I first read this book…sometime in the late 1980’s after reading Davita’s Harp.

Nearly everyone who leaves my house feels called to drop the balls against the taught strings,  but the real gift is that every coming and going is punctuated by music. 

Door harps are not “played” directly, rather music emerges when the door is opened and closed. The “song” is always different, unpredictable, sweet.

Jakob tells a story about a bird flying across the ocean, but he is pained by “bits and pieces of broken dreams that kept piercing his troubled heart like shards of glass.”  

The bird hears music but then becomes exhausted, loses interest in the strange music and becomes diminished in size. When this small bird finally approaches land he is drawn to a new and enticing melody emerging from a house. The bird is greeted at the door by a little girl. Taking this as an invitation to enter her home, the bird flies inside and creates a nest inside the music making door harp.

The story concludes; “sweet but not false, a comfort but not a deceiving caress; a music of innocence.” The bird, now tiny, builds a nest inside the door harp, and “there he lives to this day…” 

I dreamt of building a door harp entirely out of glass. What was clear in my dreams….dissolved with the morning light and instead became Davita’s homework assignment.

Here is Davita’s Harp….as I believe she would have constructed it.

Adena Potok!

What a thrill and honor to meet Adena Potok!
I presented her with a mask of Chaim Potok (z"l).... at the matinee performance of Davita's Harp.

Baba Yaga....in glass...and feathers....and bone

Baba Yaga

This mask presented me with numerous challenges but once I began working on her, I couldn't stop! 
Her nose is made from a chicken bone (The soup it came from was delicious!)

She is adorned with real bird feathers and three small craft birds and two dichroic bead warts. 

Although Baba Yaga appears only as a minor character, her name is used 35 times in the book. 

I felt her presence in the story, even when her name was not invoked.

Baba is a supernatural character born into Slavic and European folklore. Depending on who is telling her stories she may appear as one of three sisters who all answer to the name Baba Yaga. 

She may fly around in a mortar while waving a pestle or she can be seen standing in the forest on a single chicken leg. In some tales, Baba Yaga has a repulsive nose. 

Birds frequently accompany her. She is often seen as a ferocious being but she can also demonstrate maternal tendencies, choosing to protect those she deems worthy.

I leave it to you to decide who she is and her role in Davita’s story.

Scroll down to earlier posts to find ticket information

My friend Diane Fredgant helping me mount the show
at Jewish Theater Collaborative/ Milagro Theater !

I couldn't have done it without her help. Diane has an attention to detail! 

Here's some info on how I work....and pictures of each mask will appear one by one, for the next several days.

Hebrew letters often dance across a fanciful screen in my mind’s eye. Translating this dance of letters and images becomes a meditative experience. I journey deeper into the meanings and fight the limitations that a solid yet fragile medium offers me. As I cut and shape the glass, I find myself singing a niggun (a wordless tune) or an actual verse that has inspired my art.  The rest of my world is put on hold; I lose track of time, and I become fully absorbed in meanings beneath meanings and beyond meanings. The product of my meditation is rarely as complex as the journey I have taken. I laughingly refer to my work as shiny, pretty things....but beneath that language is a hidden urge to share my relationship with the sacred.

I am grateful to Sacha Reich and the Jewish Theater Collaborative for the generous invitation to create masks of some of the central character in Chaim Potok’s book, Davita’s Harp.

The process was incredibly similar to studying Torah. I found myself reading and re-reading the text; searching for meanings and trying to understand not only what was written, but also appreciating the white space surrounding the words. 

Sometimes I sang union songs, other times I sang a noggin or some of the prayers Davita and Annie were silenced from singing. I humbly offer my interpretation of these dear characters. They have become like family to me. 

MYSTERY MASK REVEALED

CHAIM POTOK

I was so honored to be asked to create character masks for Davita's Harp. I had wanted to create a mask of the author Chaim Potok (z"l) but didn't have enough time. Last week I learned that his wife Adena would be in attendance at Sunday's matinee...and would do a talk-back with the audience following the performance. I knew I had to make a mask for her. I set to work, barely getting the backing glued on before Shabbes! He was completed this morning....a few final touchups on the mouth and glasses.

I had a vision of what Mr. Potok looked like and I set about making the mask...then I worried I might not even be close.....
I think I have an approximation. (See the photo below)



This afternoon's performance was wonderful. Meeting Adena Potok was an additional treat. She was impressively articulate with delightful responses to all our questions.

If you haven't gotten your tickets yet, please do. Last night's performance as well as this afternoon's matinee were sold out!
Scroll down to my previous post for website ticket purchase information.

Davina's Harp: World Premier in PDX!!!!

Lana Davita Chandal

JEWISH THEATER COLLABORATIVE 
presents an amazing world premier presentation of Chaim Potok's book, Davita's Harp at Milagro Theater. 
This is a page to stage production that is superbly acted, directed, and produced.

THIS IS MUST SEE THEATER!!!!
get your tickets while there are a few left!
jewishtheatrecollaborative.org


I've been talking about my journey on this blog for awhile. I've tried to share some of my process with you. 

I've been working hard to craft masks that honor the characters. I am incredibly humbled by this project and must say, I learned a lot in the process.

Gratitude goes to a number of people. Sacha Reich is the visionary and director behind Jewish Theater Collaborative (JTC.) Thank you Sacha for your generous invitation to participate !

My wonderful husband suffered through countless "What do you think?" questions, not to mention the messes I created in the process of making these.

Diane Fredgant is a dear friend and talented artist who gave up her precious free time to not only help me mount the show....but also reprinted and mounted my written descriptions of my work.

Last but not least....Chaim Potok (z"l) who wrote a fabulous book that addresses historical topics that were often taboo. He approaches Judaism from a feminist perspective...a daring endeavor in his time. 

Davita's Harp Masks!!!!!

My Masks are up in the lobby of Milagro Theater on SE Stark Street right here in Portland!

 info for show times and tix can be found on their website: jewishtheatrecollaborative.org

I'll be posting photos off my masks Sunday, after the opening.

MONOTYPE MAN

Jakob Daw's Chin

• n. - (biology) a taxonomic group with a single member (a single species or genus)

n. - A typesetting machine operated from a keyboard that sets separate characters
Jakob is an interesting character! Creator of stories, somewhat mystical, somewhat magical; they are his vehicle for describing the chaos he witnesses...but the solutions seem elusive as he struggles to resolve the the rising and falling action of his words.
He isn't a healthy man, but he clearly has a heart for justice and humanity. He takes too much to heart, feeling the pain in the world. 

Monotype Man seems an appropriate nickname for this unique character in the book DAVITA'S HARP written by Chayim Potok.
I am excited to reveal Jakob and his cohort at Milagro Theater when Jewish Theater Collaborative opens their PAGEtoSTAGE production in about 10 days.
You can buy tickets on their website:http://jewishtheatrecollaborative.org

Going to the Birds!

I'm going to leave you guessing.....these birds are part of Jakob Daw's mask!

One more snippet.... Jakob's eye, pre-firing...... 

Michael's Eyes

The kiln is too hot to open, but here is a glimpse at Michael Chandel's eyes, pre-fired.

Michael is a reporter who covers a variety of social justice issues. He is a tireless organizer for the Left. His politics make for insecure housing and risk taking that carries him to Guernica as a war correspondent.  

You might be wondering about the stripes on his face He was a supporter of the International Brigade during the Spanish Civil War. These were the colors of their flag.

If you are checking my blog for the first time, please scroll down to read about my mask project. 

Today I begin focusing on Jakob Daw. Jakob is a writer/story teller.
I have already cut out his face blanks...but now I have to commit to whatever design edits I come up with....and I need to make it happen now!Hopefully he will go into the kiln Friday.

Hats Off

Michael Chandon's Hat before firing

For those of you just "tuning in", I am working on a series of character masks for the Page-to-Stage production of Davita's Harp staged by Jewish Theater Collaborative right here in Portland.

The big "reveal" will come next month when the masks go on exhibition at Milagro Theater.  

In the mean time, I am sharing progress notes but won't fully reveal the masks until they are on display.

Michael's hat will be embellished with a hat band, press card and political button. I'll share it with you soon!

Saw skill put to the Test

Some of my most prayerful moments are when I need to use the saw to cut a very slender, fragile piece. This is part of an eye....Michael Chandon's right eye, to be precise!

Michael Chandon; reporter, husband, and Davita's father...goes into the kiln this evening!

Not quite ready for prime time!....

It's attention to detail that I hope will make these new masks reflect the personalities of each character

This is Baba Yaga's left eyebrow. Yup, that's the only other detail I will reveal until she emerges from the kiln. 

It all feels a bit diabolical....like the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale. Hopefully Baba Yaga can adapt and "go with the flow" when she "bakes" at 1450º. 

Baba Yaga & Davita in development

Working hard to get both Baba Yaga and Davita into the kiln tonight..... They are shaping up!

Baba's teeth ! poor oral hygiene, I guess. Oy!

Baba and Davita need eyes and noses.....Baba is going to have some pretty amazing hair.....

Davita finally has some hair!

Scroll down to the earlier posts to learn about this project!

...stay tuned!

Davita Continues To Evolve

Once the hair is in place, Davita will make her first appearance in the kiln. 

The white glass you see is the base glass for the piece. The purplish glass is actually a clear iridized glass with a tinge of pink-purple. It is a striker glass so the color should intensify a little when exposed the heat.

Once the base layers are set I'll begin working on her main features.

Just in case you haven't been following the blog...I am making a set of masks to be on display during the run of DAVITA'S HARP in the Page to Stage production by Jewish Theater Collaborative directed by Sacha Reich.  

The Masks Begin In Earnest! Davita

As mentioned in earlier posts, I am making a set of masks that represent characters from the Book "Davita's Harp" by Chayim Potok.

Yup, that's Vaseline! I'm prepping the pattern to "waterproof" the edges before cutting it on my ring saw.
I can cut most of this by hand, however the deep narrow cuts are impossible without the help of my ring saw.

The weather was stupendous today...about 60º in February!!!!!
I moved my cutting table and saw outside....I'm dog sitting, so my dutiful assistant brought his hedgehog along to cheer me on!

This was outdoor studio view today!

New Masks on the Horizon

Davita's Harp by Chayim Potok

I'm just wrapping up the drawings for my next set of masks.
                        Oh what an honor this is! 

Sacha Reich is the director of the Stage-to-Page version of Potok's book Davita's Harp. This wonderful production will be staged by The Jewish Theater Collaborative (JTC) here in Portland, Oregon at Milagro Theater.

Sacha saw my masks at the A.R.T. lobby last spring and asked if I would be interested in creating masks featuring the main characters of this book.  I am grateful for such an invitation. Of course, I said yes!

I have to say, it is a bit like studying Torah. One must "turn it, and turn it, and turn it again" to discover the layers of meaning and glean from the white spaces between the words and the lines.

I confess to having fallen in love with these characters. I have read and re-read the book. I sat in on the first reading by the actors, attended a book talk, and then returned to re-read again.

It'll be another few days before I can cut the glass and get everything rolling. First I have to work on Davita's eyes, Annie's lips, and Jakob's nose. This is the challenge for me. DRAWING!

Once I can get past this phase, I am certain I will discover new challenges....but for now I'm just going to pretend that it will be smooth sailing from this point forward.

I'll post photos of my progress and will also share how I thought about each character as I construct the masks.

I'll speak more about JTC in future posts, but for now I'll just direct you to their link because you must get tickets to this production!
http://www.jewishtheatrecollaborative.org