Page 25 - the NOISE August 2013

These torso castings will be decorated and installed at the Flagstaff Birth & Women’s Center.
and seemed a likely collaboration for this art project.”
On a warm Sunday, with the monsoon rains threatening to fall, Ms. Henricksen deft- ly applies strip after strip of plaster-coated fabric to my chest, making a replica of my torso that will be ready for me in a few days to decorate and paint. I ask her to leave a hole in my stomach where a shadowbox can go. I assist in cutting out fabric as she casts the torso of another woman. It is a pleasant afternoon, and I get to see the collections of castings done so far. Women of all shapes, sizes and stages of life.
I ask her where the idea for this project came from. “Initially, I envisioned an army of torsos in the woods,” Ms. Henricksen tells me.
“After tossing this vision around with friends it evolved to visions of stunning landscapes covered with torsos, flash mob style installa- tions in town and eventually manifested at the Flagstaff Birth and Women’s Center for the first venue.”
Ms. Henricksen tells me about the birthing center. “Personally, I view it as an amazing addition to our community. The people in- volved, the holistic approach, the purple walls and sweet atmosphere is all very inspiring! I see it as a niche offering women and families options and support for their reproductive midwifery health care that hasn’t been avail- able in this form until now. In collaboration with other services in the community we now have a larger spectrum of care available with multiple approaches in Flagstaff.”
Currently, the project is still underway. “This is a work in motion, anticipating 10-20 pieces,” she tells me. “Demographically there are women from all walks: young, old, those who have breast fed their children and some
who survived breast cancer.”
“I hope this presents as an opportunity to
open dialogue about positive self-image and the incredible beauty that is found within their unique form,” Ms. Henricksen says of the project. “By facilitating creative freedom and handing over a canvas that is very personal,
I hope that for those who choose to, it is an exercise in self-discovery, empowerment and self-expression. I see this project as an op- portunity to pay homage to women’s bodies, the incredible work they do, the place we all came from.”
August 24 is the Grand Opening and Open House, from 10AM to 5PM for the Flagstaff Birth & Women’s Center, 401 W. Aspen Ave. All are welcome. 928/556-0000
miSS RoSe’S aRt BRiefS
Colorful vignettes by Judy Feldman are featured this August at the ACF Gallery, 111 E. Aspen. Flagstaff-arts.org
For the month of August The Gallery in Williams is featuring Scott Luchansky. Us- ing saguaro cactus wood for most of his piec- es, the artist creates unique carvings, allow- ing the sculpture to emerge as he works. Mr. Luchansky will be at the Gallery in Williams during the Williams Second Saturday ArtWalk on August 10 from 6-9PM. The Williams Sec- ond Saturday ArtWalk has a free shuttle to take you to the different art walk locations. TheGalleryInWilliams.com
West of the Moon Gallery, 14 N. San Francisco Street presents an all-artists’ show called,“ATreasureofRavens. Artistsusetheir own way of capturing the mischief, mystique and beauty of these magical creatures that inhabit Northern Arizona. An artists’ recep- tion will be held during the First Friday Art- Walk August 2, from 6PM to 9PM. Westofthe- MoonGallery.com
Flagstaff youth Theater’s AFyAR (Adults for youth Acting Repertoire) Team has been working all summer long to bring Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical, Cats, to the stage. This family friendly musical is based on Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Elliot. Cats will be preformed at the Flagstaff High School Auditorium through August 4, Fridays and Saturdays at 7PM, and Saturdays and Sun- days at 2PM. FlagstaffYouthTheater.com
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thenoise.us • the NOISE arts & news • AUGUST 2013 • 25