Kara Brody & ALi Lorenz
What are our responsibilities to the space and how does that affect our creative process? When does our intention become more than the expectations we hold for ourselves? Via a short residency in Sedona, Arizona, Kara Body and her collaborator Ali Lorenz will begin to research and address these concepts. Through camping & hiking in the vast desert, they’ll explore their intentions for creation, listening to the intuitive nature of their bodies as they submerge into an astonishing oasis of red rock canyons, caves, and buttes.
Land acknowledgement statement for Sedona, AZ
The land known today as Sedona, Arizona is sacred land that has been inhabited by Indigenous peoples as early as 650 BC. Prior to European colonization, the Verde Valley lived as the lush home of inhabitants including Ancestral Puebloans, Sinagua, and Hohokam (how·haa·km) peoples. Over time, Sedona became the homelands of the Western Apache, Hopitutskwa (hopi-doot-skwa), and Pueblos nations and tribes. These nations were forcibly removed from their homelands by Cession 689 of the The Schedule of Indian Land Cessions of 1886.
We recognize with grief that our use of this land was premised on said genocide and colonialism. We share this with you today in hopes of honoring the people of this land, and acknowledging that the violence of colonization continues to affect Indigenous communities.
Lastly, we have a quote from the Native Governance Center, an organization run by and for Native peoples in Minnesota and the Dakotas.
“Despite centuries of colonial theft and violence, this is still Indigenous land. It will always be Indigenous land. Indigenous people... are still here, and we continue to demonstrate our talents and gifts amidst a backdrop of ongoing colonialism and oppression. We are worth celebrating. Land acknowledgment is only one small part of supporting Indigenous communities.”
Birthing Cave 11/21/21, Sedona, AZ
Devil’s Bridge 11/22/21 Sedona, Az
This hike was the most time we spent around other people. About 1.5 hour hike, 3miles out and back. There was a line of about 50+ other hikers/families waiting their turn for their solo photo on the arch (about 1-1.5hrs) & each person/group took about 30 secs-5 mins when on the arch.
How does process shift when you’re being witnessed?
What do your intentions become when you’re being watched?
Noticing the difference between intentional performance & taking space to discover. Was this a performance because this moment was being witnessed and documented?
Process at your own pace vs process on a time constraint. What changes when you have only so much time?
Seven Sacred Pools 11/22/21 Sedona, AZ
Raven Caves 11/23/21 Sedona, AZ
We caught the sunset about 20 mins after we found this place. As the sun dims your depth perception skews but the color of the red rocks radiate as if they are glowing the last remaining heat rays pulled from their day of charging in the sun. There were in fact 7 pools of varying sizes. You could see the water ring stains warp around each pool, down the incline clearly marking how these bowls of water have been shaped for years and years.
The weight on our bodies lightened as the sun fell. The vastness of space accentuated as our depth perception went away. It was liberating minus navigating the uneven surfaces below our feet.
Bell Rock 11/23/21 Sedona AZ
We ascended about 4,000ft up, about 900ft short from making it to the top. The going up was a thrill, descending down was slightly terrifying.
a drawing of the landscape Ali is dancing with in the video below