What event in the Earth’s history sparks the imagination more than the moment of creation? An ongoing debate that has explanations in religion, science and mythology. Now we can add another point of view to that list, “Artmosphere”, the creation of the universe as interpreted by Debra Ann Kasimakis and being brought to the stage of Tilles Center by the talent that is the Artists Group. “It’s funny to think back on it all” Debra said recently,” I was asked to participate in a Designer Showcase and The Kasimakis Karmic Kontainer was born, an “old” wicker trunk that had been rescued, from places hither-to unknown.. A painting was created for the inside lid of the trunk. Parcae & the Birth of the Universe.” From this simple piece of art has developed an amazing show.
The Artists Group started after a fundraising event for the Hicksville Gregory Museum in 2004, The Art of Paleontology. This event consisted of Long Island based artists & artisans selling their wares, a performance stage with local dance companies, poets, & musicians. But, the highlight of the two day event, which was held in the three days between hurricanes Bonnie & Charlie, was the 12 visual artists recreating Paleolithic images on fiberglass boulders live on the museum grounds. The patrons of the event were amazed to see the creative process and the artists were gratified by the interaction and the immediate response from the public. This core of artists has grown into a collection of talent that includes dancers, poets, photographers, musicians and more. Under the direction of it’s founders, Hicksville natives, Debra Ann Kasimakis and Robert Goida, the group has set up many programs throughout Long Island. “History in Bloom – Gold Coast Gardens” is currently on exhibit at Cedarmere in Rosyln and the group maintains a year round rotational art program at Briarcliff College in Patchogue. “One of our biggest programs, however is “Art Under Glass”, a collaboration between The Artists Group and Tilles Center.” said Robert Goida “The rotational program fills the Atrium at Tilles each season with a new and exciting piece of sculptural art.” So far they have presented the works of Adam Brown, Laurette Kovary and Max Yawney and this upcoming season “Spirit of Movement” by Debra Ann Kasimakis will fill the space. “The way this has come together is kind of crazy.” she said recently. “The art committee at Tilles picked which pieces would be displayed and in which order three years ago, long before Artmosphere was even a thought.”
“Artmosphere” is a display, a live piece of art, a simultaneous participation of several disciplines with the involvement of the visual arts in a dynamic way. What sparked the initial thought was the idea that visual artists never get a chance to perform live. This concept then began to evolve into a collaborative show featuring music, dance and poetry as well as visual art and a performance was born. The audience will feel the air as the dancers whiz right by them, and they too will share the stage for this show. In this way, the sensory experience will surround the audience. Elliott Sroka, Executive Director of Tilles Center, and Dr. Cara Gargano. Chair of the C.W. Post Department of Theater Film and Dance, both embraced the idea for it’s unique and groundbreaking approach to theater. And from this a show was born. “I can’t believe we are actually going to perform this piece of artwork, LIVE ! I have been searching for something similar to “Artmosphere” and there seems to be nothing else that combines all of these elements in one live performance.” Kasimakis said,” When we first thought about doing this it was totally conceptual. But, when we actually got the go ahead, it became very real and serious indeed. We all needed to bring it to from a thought to the stage!” The list of performers in “Artmosphere” span Long Island from north to south and east to west. Artists Andrew Leipzig from Sayville, Alan Semerdjian from Huntington, Laurette Kovary from East Norwich, composers Jane Leslie of Long Beach, Jay Jii from Northport and Joe Satriani, San Francisco by way of Carle Place, demonstrate the reach of this project and its focus, Long Island creativity. “Our dancers and musicians come from Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk, even though some claim that the first two are not really Long Island, they seem to be attached on the map I have.” laughed Goida “This show is a collaboration of many talented individuals and we would like to invite you to become a part of “Artmosphere”. With only 200 seats available for each performance, this is that rare opportunity to be part of theater history.”
“Artmosphere” will have four performances at Tilles Center this September on the fourth through the seventh, all shows are at 8pm and tickets are $30.
Tickets are available at:
http://www.ticketmaster.com
http://www.tillescenter.org
or by phone at Tillescharge 516-299-3100.
For more information about Artmosphere or The Artists Group visit the website http://www.debbydoll.com
