If the blocked artist were free, would the world breathe easier?

Have you heard of Henry Darger? Let me tell you about this guy, a janitor, dishwasher, recluse... but in his mind, a vast universe of multiple dimensions, an unbelievable depth that this person quietly and carefully poured into pages and pages of writing, painting, drawing, making.. No one knew, until right before he died. And so what? Henry, why does this matter?

Your quiet dedication to making, not for the sake of anything other than.. the need to make, has inspired us. Who? Artists like Greyson Perry, like Philippe Solal Cohen, and like.. you?

Phillippe, a musician and transmedia artist, came across Henry by running into his former landlord, Kiyoko Lerner, the wife of photographer Nathan Lerner. She knew Mr. Darger, she and Nathan saw his work, heard him say throw them away, "I don't want anything, they're of no use to me anywhere." ... But they didn't. They couldn't.

Thankfully.. Because Henry's life and work is profound. And we can learn from him, can't we? This NEED to make, to bring to life our inner worlds.. We begin life as children with this passion and ease to create. And over time, we seem to have created a reality that squashes this out of us. Fear, rigidity, rules.. what else? Is your inner artist pressured? Blocked?

What's the impact of this on the world?

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This Evenbrite is for an exhibition at The Ely Center in downtown New Haven -- the LAST show of this historical building before they fill new walls. And what luck we are to be able to share something special together here.

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Philippe Solal Cohen years ago started a magnificent project bringing musical wonder to the works of Henry Darger. This visual album caught the eyes of those working in cutting edge innovation and arts -- Lucid Realities. Together, they made an extraodinary interactive venture into the art and into the feeling of freedom of creation. And in this small space, for one month, we can experience this world. In a space that channels the energy of Darger, that invites YOU to make, to add to the walls, to dive into your inner artist.

SO here's the breakdown:

Sunday, 16th November -- Opening Night

• See the group show and meet all the artists
• Check out the space

Saturday, 22nd November -- Resilience Gathering

• In response to an urgent call to the arts community to unite in defiance of authoritarian forces sweeping the nation, we are gathering and MAKING TOGETHER (more info on Fall of Freedom here).
• All art made can join the walls and legacy of this experience.

Sunday VR Club

• DATES: November 23rd, 30th, December 7th, 14th
• TIME: 2:00 - 3:30
• Gather with me and some friends to watch this VR experience and *possibly others together --> discussion group

Regular gallery hours of opening:

• Wednesday, Thursday, Sundays
• 12-5PM

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Immersive Story Clubs - Danielle Giroux