Art Installation by Aim Axon
The senses, how enticing, visceral, our primal instincts… unnourished. The Belly was created to awaken our healthy and innate urges within ourselves, within nature itself. A 20 minute sensory experience crafted to open doors, unlocking the tight control that represses and denies the very essence of who we are and the Earth we live on.
Into the chaotic jungle, through angles of bamboo, near the mind altering glows, enter The Belly. Feet undressed, pass through the veil, greeted by one glowing light. The ground soft, inviting a seat ~ lay ~ crawl ~ stretch. Look around, Earth is hiding in the darkness. Trees, flowers, scents of rosemary, lavender, and lemon. The sky has an underground feeling, wet and mountainous. Come closer to the light, see your reflection. Put your skin in the Earth and Water…touch your body…the elements so wonderful, so giving, have you forgotten?
It wasn’t who she thought she knew, but who they used to be
Excerpt from the poem written by Jessica Stroia
She whispered to the wind at night, preserving bits of memory…
Vibrating sound surrounds, undulating in emotional spectrum: fear, anger, repression, hunger, sexuality, ecstasy, sensuality, gentleness, unknowing, meditation, renewal. All here, seeping and pouring through our souls like the streams and rushes of Water.
As experiencers came out of The Belly with mud on their faces and a curious look in their eye, many greeted me with warm hugs. Some expressed they had feelings of being in the womb, being deep within and tending to the core. Being in a mystical and sacred place, similar to a sweat lodge. Being close to Earth’s weaving roots…
This journey has been so fruitful and fulfilling. Thank you all who interacted and took a moment to feel.
Musical appearances by:
• Nature – Spirit, Fire, Air, Water, Earth, the Crow and native birds
• Amber Metz (Aim Axon) – Composition and recording, female vocals, planetary patterns, bamboo, tingsha bells, chimes, xylophone, Tibetan singing bowls, wood drumming, rainstick, gong, whistles, effects
• Dave Gonzo – Dejembe drumming, bamboo, Rick Gregg’s bells
• Matt Weiers – Clarinet, flute, xylophone
• Chayo Wilson – Tibetan singing bowl, bells, xylophone
• Andy Kennedy – Male throat singing
Listen in a quiet and dark space at » www.aimaxon.bandcamp.com
Special thanks to:
The elements for nourishing our very existence, allowing us to feel the senses and experience this stay on Earth.
Andy Kennedy for stoking the fire to this conscious experiment, for being an intriguing collaborator and a whimsically supporting hand. Andy, thank you for creating the engaging jungle atmosphere outside The Belly room, which encouraged the audience to touch – play – wonder – let go.
Also within the jungle, Craig Dorety for lending his hallucination chamber and Joseph Cartino for his indigenous dangling decor.
Chayo Wilson for her spiritual guidance and all around kindness and support.
Matt Weiers for sharing audio knowledge and lending his recording equipment and handsomely crafted singing bowls.
Dave Gonzo for harnessing the essential and primal animalistic forces.
Jessica Stroia for her surreal poetry, elegant flower reef and veil decor.
Terri Elioff for her excellent seamstress skills that made the ground oh so comfortable.
Jennifer Corio and Art at the Cave gallery for making the use of this space possible.
And of course, to the Pacific NW Sculptors who donated materials and for their artistic encouragement.
