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Mysterium Tremendum: a series of playful prophecies which end up looking more like proposals, which in turn attempt to move us towards transformative justice in
Hamilton and beyond

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May 8, 2015 - August 22, 2015

Opening and Artist Talk: May 8, 7-10 pm

Artist, organizer and priestess-in-training Radiodress continues her exploration of the sacred geometrical form of the Merkabah through activating a series of modular stages at WAHC. Working with recorded sound, live performance, collage and architectural renderings, Radiodress unfolds this mysterious shape whose cultural locations run a rich gamut from Kabbalistic visions to Afrofuturist cosmology. Working with local organizers, feminists, musicians and social critics, Radiodress asks how the Merkabah might speak to transformative justice, offering a collective movement towards shared consciousness and reverential dissensus. She presents a series of performances and events on her Merkabah stages throughout the summer in the gallery, on the local airwaves and in WAHC’s outdoor spaces. Mysterium Tremedum has been developed in collaboration with Caitlin Craven and Meaghan Ross as well as various local feminist activists and organizers.

Performances/Events on the Merkabah Stages

Friday, June 12, 6 – 8 pm:

Radiodress and collaborators Caitlin Craven and Meaghan Ross (aka: the HammerSister Panoramic Archivists of the Constant Precariat) animate the exhibition’s Merkabah Stages as well as our mound and maze in the backyard. Originally built as a group project by artist Vjane Gordon and a local group of immigrant woman, this re-animation considers the multiple knowledges which are present and absent in contemporary social justice movements. Audiences will become participants as they engage with the ruins of one of Hamilton’s first settler institutions: the Custom House. The HammerSisters invite you to walk the maze, and add to its landscaping while listening to the challenges, joys and struggles of local feminist organizers. Stretch your radical mental muscles through collective writing and dialogue on the Merkabah Stages. Expect some metaphysical spinning, political spiraling and pre-figurative re-configuring.

Thursday, July 16, 7 – 10 pm:

A night of youth-oriented performances, a documentary screening and a panel discussion co-presented by Radiodress and NGen Youth Centre’s Increase the Peace program. Between the Cracks – Untold Stories documents the lives of two young adults as they tell us their personal stories of how youth violence and mental health has affected them. Throughout the night there will be spoken word, poetry and dance performances as well as an open panel discussion with the artists and youth involved with the documentary-making process. Radiodress will be recording the event live for streaming on her monthly radio show, Republic of Love. Stream Republic of Love here!: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/republic_of_love/2015/07/16/something-found-something-created

Saturday, August 22, 1 – 4 pm:

Join us for an afternoon of music and art making with Syracuse, New York-based feminist band Malvinas! Beginning at 1pm in the courtyard, members of Malvinas will lead an acoustic sing-and-play-a-long of songs by political activist, folk singer, and songwriter Malvina Reynolds and others. All voices and instruments welcome and encouraged! Song sheets with lyrics and chords will be provided. Malvinas and WAHC will also facilitate an all-ages zine workshop using images from WAHC and Malvinas’ archive of photographs of workers, protest, and more. Materials provided.

At 3pm, Malvinas will perform a set of their music inside WAHC, activating Radiodress’ installation with their ahistorical interpretations of songs by Malvina Reynolds, Woody Guthrie, Joe Hill, the Chicago Women’s Liberation Rock Band, and more.

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council in making this possible.