Name: Suran Song
Title of project and short description:
CENTERED (There’s more to life than increasing its speed – we need each other here!) is an experiential yogic performance art and hand portraiture project involving an impromptu ensemble of New Yorkers and Passersby performing a cell-phone fast together using yoga for the hands (mudras), breath work, yogic gazing, mantra, and gentle meditative yoga poses to subtly create silence and stillness all together in the middle of city bustle at the Gandhi sculpture in Union Square (SW corner). Additionally, participants are invited to schedule a portraiture sitting with me to produce a limited edition c-print, from which they will share 50% with me of any profit of an art sale in the future.
What: Participatory experiential yogic art
When: from 5:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
Where: at The Gandhi Sculpture Union Square (SW corner)
Practices Offered:
Thursday 12 October
Participants choose one of my Flower Shower Mandalas for giving-up the spirit of malice in thought, word and deed.
Flower Shower mandalas held in sight-line with mudra. Gifts of my limited-edition Flower Shower Mandala & Mudra Prayer Card Packs will be offered to participants.
Also, participants are invited to schedule a portraiture sitting with me to produce a limited edition c-print gratis, from which they will share any profit of an art sale in the future.
Friday 13 October
Participants choose one of the 5 Sanskrit breath positions to create a breathing practice for avoiding violence in the form of causing fear in others.
A gift of a map of the 5 positions of Sanskrit will be offered to participants. Mudras held while practicing the selected breath position.
Also, participants are invited to schedule a portraiture sitting with me to produce a limited edition c-print gratis, from which they will share any profit of an art sale in the future.
Saturday 14 October
Participants choose a word, in English or Sanskrit, to practice as a mantra for inflicting as little harm as possible on the environment (ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacharya, or aparigraha). Mudras held with the words whispered into the hands. Also, participants are invited to schedule a portraiture sitting with me to produce a limited edition c-print gratis, from which they will share any profit of an art sale in the future.
Sunday 15 October
Participants choose a meditative yoga pose for shooing-off a snake instead of killing it. Mudras held in the yoga poses. Also, participants are invited to schedule a portraiture sitting with me to produce a limited edition c-print gratis, from which they will share any profit of an art sale in the future.
Suran Song, SENSES:CENTERED (Hands of Melissa Soong), 2017. Chamomile Flower Shower Mandala held as light in the yogic hand position of Pushpam Mudra. C-print.
40 x 60 inches. Edition of 2.
How have you chosen to interpret the theme “SENSE?”
SENSE is interpreted as a means to be CENTERED in one’s own body, mind, heartbeat and breath.
Why do you believe 14th Street is a compelling site for creative response?
The quote in my title, “There’s more to life than increasing its speed – we need each other here,” is one of Gandhi’s! Right near the shuffle of one of Union Square’s subway stops, on the SW corner of the park, there is a wonderful public sculpture of him, as a public protector and public location marker. It is the right spot to do this public yogic art work.
What reactions are you hoping to draw from the public?
PURPOSEFUL SLOWNESS, RESTFUL STILLNESS and FOCUSED SILENCE ALL TOGETHER WITHOUT CELL PHONES — TO BE PRESENT & CENTERED IN THE HERE AND NOW! In Union Square by the Gandhi sculpture, I hope to bring fellow New Yorkers and passersby into subtle presence together away from the pull of cell phones, screens, etc., through experiential public yoga practices. As a one-to-one practice with me, they are invited to make a hand-portrait with me, like the one above, and share 50% in any profit from fine art sale of the resultant c-print.
