In November 2024, the women’s art collective Association of Hysteric Curators organized a film night, led by Snezana Petrovic and Margie Schnibbe. Margie mentioned she was editing her cutting room floor pieces together for this- which gave me an idea to do the same. In the end Margie screened one of her older films on Valerie Solanas, the person that shot Andy Warhol.
While reviewing my cutting room floor trashed edits, I realized that I had many spiritual moments with friends and my camera. I thought I would tie those items together to make a story of urban resistance. It was not as easy as I thought it would be and even though I am sharing the video link here–it was not what I wanted it to be. I plan on shooting more scenes and re-editing “Ritual” to my liking. It needs more thought & film shots/less stills & less collage, I think. I’m on it!
My art collaborator/friend/neighbor/co-artist Raul Baltazar went with me. He enjoyed the presentation, seemed glued to his seat each time the camera stopped then had to be re-started, didn’t care that it was like sitting in a freezer by the barn doors, or that the coffee and tea service ran out before he could get 1 cup. Raul walked in knowing many of the guests, it was crowded in a nice way. Raul said “Ah, here’s where all my feminists are!” — then took off. I like that we can start an evening together, but run in our own directions when we get to ‘the place’. He makes friends easily and is a very deep sincere conversationalist. Yeh, we fight, that’s why we have a 1 hour limit when we are collaborating. Two chiefs is hard.
In the recap meeting a week later, Mary Anna Pomonis the group leader/founder said she wished people had stayed after the intermission, because the space kinda thinned out and it was rude to the filmmakers presenting in the second half. My film was shown in the first part, but we stayed until the end. However, I did invite a friend — she, her husband and kid left at the intermission. Not sure how to keep that from happening—maybe warm snacks and drinks? A give-away in the second part with a game? I had grand ideas for this night, but there was a system already in play for the evening, so I jumped off that ship. I had a good time and so did Raul. He even went to another short film screening the next night. Hardcore!
