Author: Lauren Gill

Innerworld Ecologies

New work by Singha Hon
July 19th through August 15th
Opening Reception Friday, July 19th 6-8pm

Statement:

The wellspring for my work comes from nature, dreams, and mythology. Through painting and drawing, I create pieces inspired by plants, animals, and emotions. Many of my pieces feature chimeric figures– people transforming into plants or animals or simply becoming subsumed into nature.

Innerworld Ecologies is an exploration of the connections/disconnections that exist between our bodies and our emotions, an examination of the relationships we have to our surroundings, each other, and our own inner worlds. They are inspired by folk tales and my own curiosity about the natural world through the lens of queer ecology and the practice of childhood joyfulness.

I look to folk tales and the natural world as a pathway to explore complex emotions–tenderness, safety, despair, desire, love, anger and hope. Through my paintings, I hope to visualize a way to return to some deeper, wilder self, one that is more easily at home in the winding river of our mythologies and planet.

Bio:

Singha is a visual and teaching artist from New York City. Through painting, drawing, and sculpture, her work is about creating visual stories inspired by plants, animals, and emotions, set in dreamlike places somewhere between reality and an imagined one bursting with chimeras and megafauna.

As an artist and illustrator, she is dedicated to using visual mediums to tell stories that highlight the beautiful and nuanced mythologies of our lives, foster hope, and nurture dreaming. She has created artwork for organizations such as the ACLU, The Museum of Modern Art, The People Paper’s Co-Op, and Womanly Magazine. She joined The W.O.W. Project–an arts and activism nonprofit in NYC’s Chinatown as their 4th Artist in Residence in 2019 and has most recently finished up a two year teaching artist residency at W.O.W. through the Creatives Rebuild New York Artist Employment Program. As a teaching artist, she has taught workshops across mediums, including ceramics, sculpture, cyanotype, drawing, and painting.

She has recently worked with O+ Positive in Kingston to create two murals, one which lives on the side of Lite Brite Neon, and one indoors at The Unicorn.

https://www.singhahon.com
https://www.instagram.com/singha.hon/#

Making NOISE: O+ Announces 2024 Festival Lineup

Headliners include Neko Case, Kate Pierson of the B-52’s and The Blair Witch Project 25th Anniversary Screening

Kingston, NY – The O+ Festival returns to the streets of Kingston October 11-13th, 2024 for its 14th Annual celebration of art, music, and wellness. The three day schedule features over 55 live music performances, dozens of visual and performance art activations, spoken word, a BlO+ck Party filled with vendors and a variety of health and wellness workshops open to the public.

Headlining the 2024 O+ Festival is Neko Case, whose layered lyrical choices, genre bending sound and clarion vocals have brought us over twenty years of powerful music with collaborators The New Pornographers and Case/Lang/Veirs and her critically acclaimed solo work including Fox Confessor Brings The Flood and 2022’s Wild Creatures. Case takes the stage at The Old Dutch Church Friday night of the festival with Hannah Cohen opening the evening.

Other music headliners for this year include local legend Kate Pierson of The B-52’s, Beech Creeps (with members of Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Guided By Voices), Rhett Miller of Old 97’s, Milagro Verde Cumbia, Eric Redd and Tall Juan with more than 45 other music acts filling the weekend with a genre-spanning lineup.

This year’s theme NOISE is explored in an art and WO+rd lineup that features explorations of sound, chaos, and silence with work about the loudness of chronic pain or the din of electoral politics in balance with the connection that comes through shared communication.

Dance sits in the spotlight of this year’s art lineup bringing inventiveness, lyricism, storytelling, and informed, divergent movement vocabularies to explorations of the human experience. International physical theater and dance company inkBoat, founded by Shinichi Iova-Koga and winner of 6 Isadora Duncan awards, researches the interplay of dance, Japanese performance and martial arts, improvisation, site specific installation and Daoist internal arts. Stephen Pelton Dance Theater (London/San Francisco) pulls movement and imagery out of the real world and combines it with virtuosic dance to create work that feels abstract and narrative, personal and universal all at once.

While welcoming national and international acts to Kingston, more than 60% of this year’s eclectic, multifaceted lineup hails from the Hudson Valley, in keeping with O+ Festival’s commitment to celebrating and serving the local creative community. The full O+ 2024 music and art lineups will be announced @opositivefest and at opositivefestival.org the week of July 8th.

The wellness ExpO+ street fair returns bigger and bolder than ever, rebranded as BlO+ck Party. ExplO+re, the public facing wellness workshops at O+, will populate the schedule with opportunities for attendees to deep dive into a range of topics and modalities throughout the weekend. This year’s ExplO+re Wellness lineup will follow later this month and is set to include sound healing, yoga, dance, presentations from health experts, hands-on activities for families and more.

O+ will close the festival weekend this year with a 25th anniversary screening of The Blair Witch Project, one of the most profitable independent films ever made and, certainly, one of the most influential films of all time in the horror genre. Co-presented by Upstate Films and the Woodstock Film Festival, the 7pm screening on Sunday, October 13th in The Old Dutch Church will be followed by a panel discussion with original cast members including filmmaker, writer, actor and Hudson Valley resident Joshua Leonard.

With its expansive programming and exchange for healthcare, the O+ Festival is unlike any other festival. At the heart and behind the scenes of O+ Festival is the Artists’ Clinic. All artists, musicians, and volunteers access a variety of healthcare services through this pop-up clinic in exchange for their contributions to the festival – everything from dental care to acupuncture, chiropractic, reiki, dermatology, nutrition counseling, physical exams, connection with mental health professionals and so much more.

“To be able to come to the clinic and have acupuncture, speak to a nutritionist, to a naturopath, to have massage therapy… these things are very expensive on their own” said 2010/2023 alum Gail Ann Dorsey while in the Artists’ Clinic during the 2023 O+ Festival. “It’s just such a humane way to share with each other, to help each other. Having come back after playing the very first time,.. thirteen years later to play this festival (2023) has been very meaningful for me… I feel very blessed to be a part of this community so I am always here to do whatever I can to keep this kind of spirit alive .”

This exchange – the art of medicine for the medicine of art – is the core of O+’s mission. Our year round work is made possible through the support of attendees who have access to an overflowing schedule of arts and wellness programming by donating what they can for a festival wristband. At O+, we believe that everyone deserves access to healthcare and that everyone should have access to the healing power of the arts.

O+ Festival wristbands are on sale now! Every by-donation wristband sold goes directly back into the festival and helps fund our work of providing care to artists and musicians and building healthier, more resilient communities.

We will see you in October!

Safety Zones & Watermelons

O+ is honored to present the work of 2021 Alum David Najib Kasir in the O+ Exchange Clinic Gallery. Safety Zones & Watermelons, an exhibition of his recent work, includes several pieces he made while at The Golden Foundation Residency Program this Spring.

Intergalactic Planetary

Open Wed, Thurs 1-5pm, Sat 12-4pm and by appointment

In Intergalactic Planetary, artist Jennifer Zackin weaves colorful rope and scraps of fabric through late 20th century lawn furniture and tractor seats to create portals to new perspectives. Shown alongside neon works on paper, the exhibition embodies a joyfully defiant attitude and multidimensional curiosity akin to the 1998 Beastie Boys hit, “Intergalactic,” which is the namesake of the show.

The chairs Zackin uses in these works serve as a marker of a particular era, but she transforms the familiar objects with color and pattern, creating gravity-defying, day-glow sculptures reminiscent of underwater-like worlds, mountain ranges, escape hatches, and refuges. These chairs are part of Zackin’s ongoing Vortex Weaving series, and use a process of hand-knotting and weaving inspired by the handwork of traditional weavers with whom the artist studied while living in rural India and Peru. Like a Vortex, Zackin strives to create an axis of energy in her work with the power to pull us from our current perspective, opening to other possibilities.

Alongside these woven sculptures, works on paper help drive home the theme of transformation. The drawings are intuitive, abstract color studies. Some were created to support the development of the sculptures. Others use color and pattern to ruminate on the interconnected nature of the natural world. Still others are themselves Vortex Weavings – paper punctured with thread into intuitive shapes and patterns. By showing these drawings alongside the Vortex Weaving pieces, the work invites conversations about the intersection between fiber, sculpture, and painting.

Finally, in conjunction with the exhibition, the gallery will present a participatory communal weaving project on May 24th at the Old Dutch Church Yard during the O+ 365: A Benefit to Support O+’s Year-Round Clinic. Visitors are invited to weave together, contributing to a large-scale Vortex Weaving designed to bring the community together.

https://www.jenniferzackin.com

Submitting to O+: A How-To Guide

The O+ Festival returns for the 14th annual exchange of art, music, and wellness October 11-13, 2024. This year’s festival theme is NO+ise. Learn more about the theme HERE. O+ is accepting submissions from artists, musicians, and writers of ALL mediums, genres, and modalities from March 4th – April 28th, 2024. Submitting your work to O+ Festival is free of cost.

Please do not let any barriers – personal, perceived or technical – get in the way. Read on for frequently asked questions, answers, and helpful tips to guide you in the application process. If you need support of any kind to apply, reach out to us for assistance at info@opositivefestival.org or call (845) 399-5343.

Si prefieres Español, disponemos de personal que puede ayudarle con su solicitud y/o paricipación. Comuníquese con info@opositivefestival.org o (845) 399-5343.

How do I apply for Music, Art or WO+rd?

Submissions are ONLY accepted through Submittable. Click one of the links below to find the full application and be sure to fill out the form in its entirety!

MUSIC: opositive.submittable.com/submit/290162/o-festival-kingston-music-2024
ART: opositive.submittable.com/submit/290138/o-festival-kingston-art-2024
WORD: opositive.submittable.com/submit/290141/o-kingston-word-2024

What information do I need to complete the submission form?

To complete the submission form, you’ll need the following:

Name and contact information
How many people are performing (if applying as part of a band/group)
What clinic services you need/are interested in
Genre and a brief but detailed description of what you plan to perform/create
Videos, MP3s, or photos of your work – doesn’t have to be fancy but should relate to what you are proposing to present to the public!
A photo of you/your band or group for promotional purposes
Links to your site/socials if applicable
Why you want to participate in the O+ Festival
Days you’re available to perform/participate

Is there a submission fee?

Nope!

When is the deadline for submissions?

Submissions are open March 4th – April 28, 2024. All applications must be submitted by 11:59pm on April 28th in order to be considered by the relevant committee.

What if I do not have regular internet access or a computer at home OR I need help with my application?

You can contact us via email at info@opositivefestival.org or call (845) 399-5343. Please do not let any barriers – personal, perceived or technical – get in the way. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance. We’re here to help.

Si prefieres Español, disponemos de personal que puede ayudarle con su solicitud y/o paricipación. Comuníquese con info@opositivefestival.org o (845) 399-5343.

I’ve never played/shown my work publicly before. Does that mean I can’t apply to the festival?

Absolutely not! The O+ Festival is proud to host an eclectic variety of creatives and provide a platform for emerging artists. We are listening to/reading/looking at your work NOT your CV. Please consider applying!

How do the committees decide who gets accepted to the festival?

Each committee is made up of a mix of O+ alum, industry professionals, and community members representing different practices, identities, and perspectives.

While each festival is different, committee members typically prioritize local and regional artists who haven’t participated in the festival yet, as well as people who need access to the health & wellness services offered at the festival clinic.

They also evaluate how each application incorporates the festival theme, genre diversity, social media presence, a band/performer’s availability, and how a band/performer/artist’s work fits into and adds to the larger festival lineup.

I played/performed last year. Can I apply again?

We may give lower priority to artists who participated in the previous three O+ Kingston Festivals, though we encourage all to apply. As our mission is centered in cultivating a diverse community of artists to whom we are offering access to healthcare, we want to make sure we reach those who have yet to participate and may have a need to acquire care.

We are currently expanding our art programming towards a year-round model, as we are constantly looking for new ways provide care to artists. If you aren’t accepted for this year’s festival, you may be contacted over the next year if there are other ways to connect with O+. We thank you in advance for your understanding.

If you’re interested in volunteering for a free festival wristband or in exchange for a clinic visit please click HERE

I’ve applied before but didn’t get in. Should I even bother?

Yes, please! Each year our committees review hundreds and hundreds of submissions and have to curate that down to a much smaller list of performers. Capacity is determined largely by the amount of care we are able to provide at our clinic during the festival weekend. We ask for your patience and understanding should your submission not be accepted for this year and encourage all who are not chosen for O+ Festival 2024 to reapply next year of artist slots. Bottom line: it’s not personal at all! Please apply again.

When will I find out If I got accepted?

Musicians, artists and writers will be notified via email of acceptance by early June. Folks who are not selected for this year’s festival will be notified shortly thereafter.

Helpful Tips For Your Application

Fill out the ENTIRE Submission form. Double check that you’ve filled in all of the applicable and required fields.
Be specific! The information you share in your submission should give us an idea of who you are as a musician/band/artist/writer AND what you plan to perform at the festival. Be as detailed as possible about yourself and your work and what exactly you want to do at the festival – and please use media/examples that reflect that.
For example, if you’re a musician who primarily plays in a full brass band but are applying to the festival as a solo folk musician, include video clips of your solo performances so that our committee can get a better idea of that work.
OR if you are an artist hoping to paint a mural – you do not need to have experience painting murals in the past but you do need to provide work samples that make clear what your practice is so that the committee can imagine your work being successful on a larger scale.
Remember the festival theme. Each year’s theme plays an important role in how our Art, and WO+rd committees, especially, evaluate submissions and curate the final lineup. Tell us how the work you’re submitting relates that theme in your application – it doesn’t have to be perfect! Our committees mostly just want to see how you relate to it and that you’re considering it as part of your submission.
It doesn’t have to be fancy. You aren’t required to have a website or an Instagram account with thousands of followers. Any way that you can accurately portray your craft so that committee members can get a sense of your work/sound is acceptable.
Don’t hesitate to ask for help. Seriously! Whether you have questions about the process, need technical assistance, or just need a few tips we are here to help and want to make the application process as seamless as possible. Email us at info@opositivefestival.org or call (845) 399-5343. We will make every effort to make the process as smooth, transparent and successful for you as possible.

2024 O+ Kingston Theme: NO+ise

The O+ Festival will return to Kingston, NY for the 14th annual exchange of art, music and wellness October 11-13th, 2024.

This year’s O+ Festival explores the duality of noise.

In this year of consequential electoral politics, protest, war, disinformation, oversaturation and overstimulation we are seeking to examine, engage with and transcend the noise of our humanity.

Noise can be heard, seen or felt. It is not merely a nuisance or disturbance to be silenced but a dynamic force that shapes our perceptions, emotions, and interactions. It is a metaphor for the constant barrage of stimuli that inundates our senses, shaping our perceptions and influencing our behaviors. It is the gray area between what appears black and white where the majority of life happens. It can distract, obscure, and harm as it can also clarify, motivate and energize.

Within noise lies the potential for both disruption and innovation, discord and harmony. At once, noise has the capacity to uplift, inspire, and unite as well as to be used to disrupt or distract us from what is real or distance us from the sounds of our own minds. Noise can be righteous, insistent, a catalyst for profound transformation, a source of creativity, and a vehicle for social change. Through embracing the richness of noise in all its forms, we seek to foster a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between individual expression and collective experience. There are power dynamics inherent in noise – who controls the narrative, whose voices are amplified, and whose are silenced. Inequities and injustices are perpetuated by the amplification of certain voices over others. We can reclaim agency in the face of noise, forging connections, and building communities grounded in empathy and understanding. But we must reflect critically on the threats posed by the manipulation of reality in the digital age and not be overwhelmed into complicity by the din.

We are calling artists, musicians and writers of all mediums, genres and modalities to explore the paradoxical nature of noise and its role in shaping our shared human experience. They are invited to reflect on their own relationship with noise – to interrogate the sources of discord in their lives and envision pathways toward harmony and equilibrium. From vibrant murals that capture the pulse and persistence of life on a grand scale to immersive, intimate soundscapes that invite contemplation, to drum beats, exclamations, collective exhales and shared silence, we hope to build a symphony of noise– full of the beauty, dissonance, harmony and resonance, chaos, silence and amplification – in order to reframe noise not as a disturbance, but as a vibrant force of empowerment, positivity, liberation and connection from which deeper truths can emerge.

SUBMIT YOUR WORK TO O+ FESTIVAL 2023

O+ Welcomes Dr. Lizette Edge as Wellness Director

Dr. Lizette Edge is a Board-Certified Family-Practice Physician who strives to provide loving and patient-centered care. She has 10+ years experience working in Hudson Valley hospitals: Ellis Hospital and Kingston Hospital, where she delivered care to individuals from the ER, including being on the ground throughout the entire Covid-19 pandemic.

Dr. Edge was born in Bogota, Colombia and moved to the U.S at the age of 9, living as an undocumented immigrant for her first 10 years. Her experiences growing up in 80s and 90s Bogota during Pablo Esobar’s drug wars, working in the privatized U.S. medical system, and being a traveling doctor abroad working within hospitals with very limited resources, have all shaped her belief that healthcare is a human right.

For the last 5 years Dr. Edge has been happy to call Kingston home. When she is not working, you can find her in the Catskill Mountains or in a body of water – especially in the ocean on a surfboard.

For 3 years, Dr. Edge has volunteered with the O+ Festival, an organization that provides a model of care she admires. She is thrilled to join the team and be part of opening a clinic that will serve the community she loves.

As we look to the year ahead, Dr. Edge will be leading the way in building the infrastructure of year-round health and wellness access for O+ Alum, with the support of long-time organizational wellness leaders like O+ Festival Clinic Coordinator Jesse Scherer and the whole National Team. Our goal is to work with local care providers to re-envision wellness access for un/underinsured artists and to expand the exchange through which everyone can use their gifts to complete a cycle of care.

We will be doing this work and sharing the progress with you, our valued community members, as we build out the XO+ Clinic. This work will run parallel to the return of the beloved annual O+ Festival October 6-8, 2023 and public-facing art, music and wellness programming throughout the year.

2023 O+ Kingston Theme: FO+rward

The O+ Festival will return to Kingston, NY for the 13th annual exchange of art, music and wellness October 6-8, 2023.

This year we are focusing on, investing in and celebrating the expansion of health care for artists and musicians, progressing toward our goal of providing medical support 365 days a year.

The theme of the 2023 O+ Festival is FO+rward.

Forward is the button you pressed on the VCR when you couldn’t wait to get to the best part of the film. The symbol on the button was like two arrows running towards or pushing against a wall. FF> Fast Forward.

Forward is an action, a description, a position, a choice and a direction.

Forward is where you are heading and the movement of a body through space, through pain, through healing. It is one day at a time. It is an arrow pointed in a direction determined by where you are facing or where you are trying to go. It is sending a letter on to a future location. It is moving ahead more quickly through time than if you were to just sit and wait for something to happen.

Forward, the adverb, is defined as “to move onward so as to make progress; toward a successful conclusion.” And when we consider progress, we think of it as forward movement towards a destination or towards a better, more complete ideal. We may look back, but we move inexorably forward.

Forward is movement, it is a choice to do better, to keep trying, to survive. It is the direction of feet marching down the street in protest. Folks chant “we won’t go back” as a song of resistance and in recognition of the lessons of history. Not back… only forward.

As we look to the future, we are moving forward towards a culture of care wherein everyone can access the healthcare that they need to not just survive but to thrive, feel valued and continue to make the creative work that our communities rely on to be well.