BROOKINGS — The SDSU School of Performing Arts put on a unique show for area residents on with “What Makes Your Soul Breathe?” on May 2 at the Sylvan Green.
Stations were set up across the green and participant strolled across the green to take in various artistic endeavors.
Melissa Hauschild-Mork one of the event organizers said the project said planning for the immersive art event began last fall. Then project involved about six faculty members and about 15 students.
“It was really meant to be an opportunity for faculty and students to collaborate on an innovative experience that none of us had really ever done, And so we just sort of allowed the creative process to sort of journey us toward whatever this is today.”
She said the department is doing a couple of research projects connected to the experience, looking at the creation of the immersive event. She said the goal of the event was to get involved in the process of creating art.
She said organizers were able to secure couple of grants to fund the event.
She said a goal was to get individuals from the university and community to come out and experience art in a different way.
The goal was transform into a playful creative zone where everyone, regardless of experience, is encouraged to jump in, make something and discover what creativity feels like in real time.
At its core, “What Makes Your Soul Breathe” is about access, joy and discovery. It removes the barrier between artist and audience, offering a space where creativity is immediate, social and shared.
More said the genesis of the event looks at the book “This Mystical Life of Ours” by Ralph Waldo Trine. The book spurred the idea for a collaborative immersive event.
She said the department would do a post-event assessment and decide whether to hold similar events in the future.
Claire Booth, a senior journalism major who is minoring in theater and dance, participated in the project.
Boothe said her class studied the book for a semester,
“What’s kind of happening is our interpretation of the book. Kind of what have we learned . We talked about ‘things like what does it mean to be alive? What does it mean be human? What makes your soul breath”
She said the students collaborated and surveyed others around campus about what to do for the event.
She said the event was “A chance to bring that to the community of Brookings and have a time to have fun, play, and be a human and encourage others to do what they love to do and be who they want to be. And so we’re just out here crating a fun environment for everyone.”
— Contact Doug Kott at [email protected].
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