Name: LuLu LoLo
Title of Project: Blessings From Mother Cabrini, Saint of the Immigrants
Project Description: LuLu LoLo, in homage to Mother Cabrini, Saint of the Immigrants will offer blessings and compassion to passersby on her pilgrimage along the path of 14th Street. Mother Cabrini sailed from Italy to New York City in 1899 to ease the suffering of the Italian immigrants. This performance will honor the many immigrants in the world who leave (flee) one land for another
References:
Mother Cabrini: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frances_Xavier_Cabrini
Mother Cabrini shrine in Upper Manhattan: http://www.cabrinishrinenyc.org/
Note: her body is on display in the church in Upper Manhattan—but her actual head is in Rome and her arm is in a shrine in Chicago
Lulu Lolo as Mother Cabrini. Photo courtesy of Paul Takeuchi.
History of LuLu LoLo’s previous performances as Mother Cabrini: I have performed as Mother Cabrini in Rome and Campagna, Italy; Paris, France; New Orleans; and New York.
I have always been fascinated by Mother Cabrini, partly I think because as a young girl, I saw her body preserved in glass under the altar in the Church in Upper Manhattan. She came to New York to help the immigrant Italians who were suffering from poverty and great discrimination. She traveled to New Orleans to help during the yellow fever epidemic affecting the Italian workers, who unloaded the fruits and vegetables at the docks. Also, at that time in New Orleans, there had been a lynching of 11 innocent Italian men who had been accused of murder. She founded hospitals and orphanages for immigrants all over America.
In 2007, I was invited to Italy to the town of Campagna to create a performance for the Festival of the Water. I recreated a childhood ritual of Mother Cabrini who made paper boats and filled them with flower petals sending them floating down the river, dreaming that the flower petals were missionaries sailing out into the world. I did this performance in the day and then again in the evening with candles.
As Mother Cabrini I wear the habit of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and a veil made of fabric given to me by the Sisters of St. Cabrini Home, West Park, NY.
Video of performance in Italy note the sound is of the water:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NRY5cXjKpw
Images of Italy and Paris may be seen on my website:
Italy: http://www.lululolo.com/performance_art070404.html
Paris: http://www.lululolo.com/performance_art071228.html
How have you chosen to interpret the theme “SENSE?”
By offering to bless people on the street—there is of course the sense of “touch” with one’s hands but also the offering of a gesture of compassion to all people. Performing as the Saint of Immigrants, Mother Cabrini, I am also highlighting the need for compassion to all immigrants.
Why do you believe 14th Street is a compelling site for creative response?
14th Street has a long history especially at Union Square for free speech and action. Everyone comes together in a frenzy of energy and action on 14th Street—it is the perfect place to create art!
What reactions are you hoping to draw from the public?
This will be my fifth season performing for Art in Odd Places, and I look forward to the interaction with the public. I am curious to see the public’s reaction to my blessing of them. Maybe this performance will make them reflect on how we should reach out to each other in a one on one experience on the street—to stop and look up for a moment from their cell phones to receive a blessing.
