The Shed Open Call - Week 1
- Katherine De La Cruz
- Apr 1
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 12
Notes taken during my first week of residence at The Shed.
Monday, January 27, 2025
Writing at the Shed under magnificent skylights. Listening to "Crash" by The Primitives and thinking about how much life can change in a year. A year ago I was getting ready to start my residency with LittlexLittle after trying out a weird idea on a bike during the Conure Collective's first works in progress show. Now that same idea got me the first funded residency of my career. Cheers to active dreaming, listening and pushing past artistic blocks.
I'm thinking about what I want from this week. The nagging feeling that a real product needs to come from this week to prove I am a "real working artist" vs accepting that contemplation is part of the process. The truth is no matter what I do this week as long as I lean into what my heart and body needs from the experience I will see that as success, or at least try to. The general goal for the week is to let go of the constant inner critic.
Today the goal is to reimmerse myself into the work and intentions. Watching material and writing notes and ideas will also be important. I will relearn the material and answer some of my own questions. Where do I want the work to go? What do I need from it? The main focus of this grant is PROCESS. What is mine?
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
I set up my bike under the largest skylight. This giant beast of glass and concrete looms and peers down at me through this great portal. It demands" Show me what you got!"
Writing at the beginning and end of the day also seem to be necessary to enter and reflect on the day. I think I will continue to do this throughout the week. Working through prompts in "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron has really helped to give some structure to the week and more room for reflection.
I can hear the hum of of cars and engines.
What does it mean to make art in a dystopia, in fascism, in looming dictatorship?
"There is vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost" - Martha Graham
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
I pulled along orange snake to charge my interdimensional portal made of stardust and crystals. We're all a long way from home and scattered across many galaxies yet all made from the same stuff.
I feel happy today. I got over some major blocks and am realizing that the things I tend to run a way from are the things I need to run straight to. SAY NO TO PROCRASTINATION.
"Take your life in your own hands and what happens? A terrible thing: no one to blame"- Erica Jong.
A Movement map for some exploration.
What is this about? Not sure yet. I tried running wide. I tried medium. I tried small.
Need to work on: Vocabulary, Specific movement, intention and feeling.
Thursday, January 30, 2025
Running, Running, Running, Tunnels, Darkness, Great glass pillars cut the heavens. Blinding light. Then fluorescent hums. Outside, under, inside... A commute.
Although I got in a little late I think I had a productive day. I got the rain phrase down enough to teach and manipulate it. I also worked on the bike phrase with the music. I feel good about the new dynamics of the gestures since it was a bit stiff before. I also realized I need to make the pedaling easier so I can move faster. I need to add more dynamic movement to the rain phrase, maybe speed it up but I'm not sure yet. Tomorrow is my last and longest day so I'm excited to get in and make the most of it.
Friday, January 31, 2025
Last day at the Shed for this rehearsal period. I'm here all day to take advantage of the time in the space as much as possible. This week has gone by so fast but it's been amazing for my mental and physical health. Feeling like a real artists. Trying to not put too much pressure on myself to run the "perfect" rehearsal. The best part is knowing I can pay my dancers well for their work.
The last day went so great. Nia and Esther came in and we had a good amount of time to move with ease and get a lot done. We reviewed old material and I created a new phrase based on the movement map I drew on Wednesday. Felt like solving a puzzle.
A great and satisfying end to the first week of the residency!
[Image descriptions]
A photo of Katherine posing and smiling outside The Shed.
Katherine posing cheekily with her Open Call Artist Badge over her face.
A view from bellow the Tisch Skylights. Blue skies with clouds and a glass building.
A photo of scattered notebooks and materials featuring the book "The Artist's Way"
Katherine sitting on the ground in fourth position with one arm extended straight out and the other bent at the elbow with the hand touching the shoulder creating the imagery of an arrow.
Doodle of a cellphone.
Drawing of a movement topography map.
Still from a rehearsal video. Katherine on a bike wearing bright blue pants and arms extended at her sides.
A photo of Katherine and Nia smiling outside The Shed.
A photo of Katherine and Esther outside The Shed. Katherine makes a kissy face and Esther smiles into the camera.
Still from a rehearsal video. Katherine and Nia balance on one leg with the other bent at the knee and reaching forwards. Arms are extended upwards. Nia wears bright red pants.
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