Inner Space
Hey Chase - Vera Lugo
collaborative artist: Jasmine Sugar, dancer/choreographer
How do you feel and maintain personal connection when the ones you love are far away and out of reach? Hey Chase is an isolated thought from an inner space — but with energy out to all the other spaces held by light and love.
TEXT
Hey Chase, I wonder where you are tonight
What stars your eyes are taking in miles away from mine
Hey Chase, I wonder where you are tonight
And who is by your side
In the morning sometimes I sit on the bed and think of you
Hear your sweet laugh
Here in the mess and the clutter of my room
Where are you now?
Picture the lines softly growing on your face
Reaching out, when can I see you?
Wish it were soon but I know that’s not the case
We’ll never get a chance
But hey Chase, are you thinking about me?
What about the days and nights we spent whiling away the time
Hey Chase, I wonder where you are tonight
And who is on your mind
- Vera Lugo

About the collaborative artist: Jasmine Sugar is a recent graduate from California Institute of the Arts and a professional dancer living in Los Angeles. After graduating, Jasmine has spent her time traveling to perform in Paris, France; Venice, Italy; and various venues throughout Los Angeles. This past year, Jasmine has had the opportunity to perform in works including, Bridge-s directed by Solange Knowles, opening this years Grammy awards with Lizzo, and performing at the Villa Savoye in collaboration with contemporary artists Gerard&Kelly. Jasmine is also remembered for her appearance in prints such as, June’s issue of Vogue and GQ Portugal, as well as the cover of Vanity Fair Health Italia. In terms of in-studio work, Jasmine has been assisting Tyne Steckline with CLI studios for just over a year now. Despite COVID-19 having a severe impact on the industry and artists everywhere, Jasmine commits her time to being an activist in defense of Black life and equal rights for all. She also continue spreading awareness and love through movement and different mediums of visual art making.
For more about the composer, see our Members page.
In paradisum - diana woolner
collaborative artist: Miranda Kahn, experimental paper artist
In Paradisum (“Into Paradise”) is an 8-part arrangement of a Gregorian chant, traditionally sung during the procession of the casket from the church to the cemetery. I tried to materialize the mixed feelings one goes through during a funeral; a sense of peace, but also the terrifying reminder of one’s own mortality. There exists also, inevitably, overtones of the fear I feel on a daily basis regarding COVID-19 in the piece. In Paradisum is dedicated to the numerous lives lost during the pandemic, as well as anyone who has lost a loved one this year.
TEXT
In paradisum deducant te Angeli:
in tuo adventu suscipiant te Martyres,
et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Jerusalem.
Chorus Angelorum, te suscipiat,
et cum Lazaro quondam paupere
aeternam habeas requiem.
In paradisum deducant te Angeli:
in tuo adventu suscipiant te Martyres,
et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Jerusalem.
Chorus Angelorum, te suscipiat,
et cum Lazaro quondam paupere
aeternam habeas requiem.

About the collaborative artist: Miranda Kahn is an LA based experimental paper artist, actress, film maker and puppeteer committed to social justice. During the live-streamed concert, experimental paper artist Miranda Kahn will portray themes of love and loss with her unique hand cut paper silhouette puppetry. Using an overhead projector to bring the images alive the puppets tell the story of the death of a Mother and the bond that remains. The narrative, developed in collaboration with Diana and Miranda draws on compositional influences of this music.
For more about the composer, see our Members page.
of missing out - jaco wong
collaborative artist: Niko Kin, life artist
“Right now it's as if all of our technology is basically only asking our lizard brain what's the best way to impulsively get you to do the nest tiniest thing with your time, instead of asking: in your life, what would be time well spent for you?” – Tristan Harris, Design Ethicist & Founder of Center for Humane Technology
The social isolation caused by COVID-19 has accelerated another serious health crisis: the Loneliness Epidemic. In a recent survey of 20,000 Americans, nearly half reported always or sometimes feeling lonely or left out, with the young adults ages 18 to 22 being the most vulnerable. Social media outlets have single-handedly intensified this mental health crisis, as captured by the familiar term FOMO (the fear of missing out). In addition to demanding the technology sector to realign with our best interests, small attempts can be made daily to transform our state of mind into JOMO (the joy of missing out), a campaign advocating for a feeling of contentment with our own pursuits and activities.

About the collaborative artist: Niko Kin is a Life Artist from Topanga, California. She creates with her being and her hands, in mediums that range from paint and brushes, to textiles, metal, movement, and life experiences. She believes that Life is one, ever-unfolding act of artistry and, as such, loves to create beauty at every chance. For more, visit nikokincreative.com
absence makes the heart grow fonder - kristen hirlinger
video by Marcus Carline
Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder is from the set “Things My Grandpa Said,” which plays with old proverbs you may have heard your own grandfather say. Each song is designed to provoke an emotion or memory associated with its particular phrase. In Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder, I imagine my grandpa writing letters to my grandma during WWII. Or I remember how hard it was for my family when he passed away. Even more relevant now, I think of my family back home and how long it has been since I have seen them during this pandemic. These pieces are dedicated to the memory of my grandfather. - Kristen Hirlinger
TEXT
Absence,
Crossed from my sight
With your grace I flew,
but now wander
Absence makes the heart grow fonder,
Till the day I see your face,
my soul lies waiting.
Yearn do I to show again my love for you,
absence makes the heart grow fonder.
- Kristen Hirlinger
Absence,
Crossed from my sight
With your grace I flew,
but now wander
Absence makes the heart grow fonder,
Till the day I see your face,
my soul lies waiting.
Yearn do I to show again my love for you,
absence makes the heart grow fonder.
- Kristen Hirlinger
About the composer: Kristen Hirlinger premiered her first large ensemble composition with her high school band at 18, and received a Bachelor of Music from the University of Central Missouri in 2013 for her studies in music technology and composition. Since her move to Los Angeles in 2014, she has scored multiple short films, and edits sound for TV shows and films. Hirlinger plays flute with the Los Angeles Symphonic Winds, and co-produces an annual female composers concert with the Pasadena Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, International Music Fraternity.
not infinite if not god - fahad siadat
collaborative artists: André Megerdichian, choreographer & Catalina Jackson-Urueña, dancer
Lilia Deering, camera dancer
Lilia Deering, camera dancer
The title of this piece is derived from Mark Green’s literal translation of the Kalima, the central tenant of belief in Islam, more commonly translated as “no god but God” or “no reality but God”. The piece itself is largely inspired by a Sufi chant used as a dhikr, a repeated mantra that is a “remembrance” of the divine. While outwardly performative, this piece is intended as a prayerful, ecstatic meditation on the nature of the divine and our relationship to it.
TEXT & TRANSLATION
Hasbi rabbi jellalah,
Ma fi ghelbi illellah, La allaha ilallah. First there is la allaha ilallah Then there is la allaha ila HU Then la allaha ila anta Then la allaha ila ana |
(Glorious God is enough)
(There is nothing in my heart but God) (There is no God but God) (There is no God but God) (There is no God but HU) (There is no God but you) (There is no God but me) |
-adapted by Sholeh Wolpé from a traditional Sufi chant
About the collaborative artists:
About the collaborative artists: