E V O L V E
ARTIST IN RESIDENCY
Since we opened and renovated the space in 2006, artists have spent time in the second floor of the gallery painting and sculpting. Charlie Thysell, Richard Currier, Terri Hallman, Michelle Gagliano, Andy Baird and others have all spent from a few days to a month using this wonderful space to create. In 2018 we renovated the second floor completely and made an entrance on the side of the building allowing separate access and named it Evolve, an Artspace. We host exhibitions and events there. We now are expanding to a new phase, opening Evolve to other disciplines.
reese johanson, an intra-disciplinary performance artist, has begun a six month residency.
We welcome her and look forward to a productive and creative time together.
reese johanson
Extraordinarily Ordinary
Cocktail Salon and Fundraiser
Saturday, April 22nd, 6pm-8pm
Angela King Gallery
Featuring performances by reese johanson and B.K. Zervigon
Event and reservation details HERE
Extraordinarily Ordinary
PERFORMANCE ONE NIGHT ONLY
Saturday, May 22nd, 7:30pm-8:30pm
UNO Robert E. Nims Theater,
Tickets available HERE
Artist Statement
I am a dance-theatre performance artist, storyteller.
As an intra-disciplinary collaborator you may experience poetry, music, spatial composition, installation art, video projections, technology, nature, food, drink, and audience participation in my work. I have always orchestrated my creative journey, education, and opportunities. Cobbling together a vast, non traditional pedagogy and career. It has been wild, gritty, full of freedom and play, with few boundaries. I now find myself seeking.
Regina Parkinson, at Art Street, 2019
Vincent Simmons, at Fly Movement Salon, Cafe Istanbul, 2017
Extraordinarily Ordinary in development at Evolve.
Preview the work on January 21, 2023, 2pm.
Complete details HERE.
"The story of Extraordinarily Ordinary is told by a woman nearing the end of her time on earth. Reflecting back, sharing memories, she wonders what was really important. Perhaps she could have slowed down and paid attention, rather than hoarding, and rushing to the next thing."
"This piece has been in development for four years. I have presented it locally and internationally, in many formats. Through this journey, many people have shared how moved they are, how relevant to the times and their personal lives they find this story. I am inspired to share it further. Graciously, Angela King Gallery offered a residency at Evolve, to refine my craft, this piece, and expand nationally and internationally." ~ rj
at a glance history
Shark Productions, at University of New Orleans, 2021
Extraordinarily Ordinary is a story about nearing the end of one’s time on earth. It is a reflection, memories, and curiosity. What was really important? Perhaps we could have slowed down and paid attention, rather than hoarding, and rushing to the next thing.
I started developing this piece in New Orleans, late 2018, with a group of 7 performance artists, as a collaborative, improvisational, dance, theater, music piece- without text. From this early work, I composed a choreography script. My intention was to use this script for staging the show anywhere, enabling smooth, efficient collaboration of artists who might be foreign to the piece, and each other. I took it first to Amsterdam in residence at Pickup Club in the NDSM arts warehouses. Then to Saugerties NY, in residence at 11 Jane Street. Returning to New Orleans, I performed a work in progress at Jonathan Ferrara Gallery, Dec. 2019. Then COVID happened. I dug deeper into the piece as a solo, asking myself, what is important at this time. Spring 2021, I helped open the University of New Orleans outdoor amphitheatre with a full length solo production of it. Now, 2022-2023, in residence in Evolve, I am preparing Extraordinarily Ordinary for local presentations and international touring.
Reza Kamalifar, at NDSM Loods Amsterdam, 2019
reese is currently collaborating with composer and harpist, Cassie Watson Francillon.
Photo credit Linka Odom
Cassie Watson Francillon explores folk, jazz, classical, modern & experimental music on the harp. With inimitable grit, tone, awareness and groove, Cassie crafts a narrative that connects past and future, existing and broken ancestral ties. Her sound and journey truly reflect her Haitian and Black American roots, crafting a precious and modern legacy by weaving weighted threads in mid air.
Cassie sat on the board of the New Orleans Chapter of the American Harp Society, was Assistant Producer of the annual New Orleans Jazz and Pop Harp Weekend, is a producer of the Sirens in the Twilight Music Series, and the principal harpist in Bernard Pearce’s new age opera: The Coronation, debuted at the New Orleans Airlift Music Box Village.
Cassie has been sought-after for her unique session work and live productions alongside John Cameron Mitchell, Helen Gillet, Tank and the Bangas, Norah Jones, Julie Odell, Luke Stewart, People Museum, Charm Taylor to name a few.
She was selected by Prospect Arts Group to conceptualize and perform a diasporic piece with Guardians of the Flame Black Masking Indians, opening for Christian Scott at the P.5 Gala of 2022. Cassie was selected by Grammy and Tony Award-winning NEA Jazz Master Dee Dee Bridgewater to be a fellow of the Woodshed Network for Women in Jazz.
Biography
I am a prolific intra-disciplinary performance artist. My work shows up as physical theater, dance, and poetry as the life force in which my characters' stories are told. I collaborate with live musicians, film artists, installation art, technology, food, nature… there is no end to the list of possible intersections.
I am an alumni of the National Shakespeare Conservatory, NYC, was mentored by Joan Evans, and am a disciple of Mary Overlie, (RIP Mary, June 5, 2020.)
I have collaborated with 100's of artists including: Jen Hicks - Boston and Saugerties, Ross Hamlin - Santa Fe, Elizabeth Wautlet, Paris, Marije Nie, Amsterdam. In New Orleans: Daneeta Jackson, Susan Millar Boldissar, Laura Patterson, Todd D'Amour, Nari Tomassetti, Bremner Duthie, MC Sweet Tea, Shannon Stewart, Ann Glaviano, and Chard Gonzalez.
Photo credit: Ride Hamilton
My best-known works are They Don’t Eat Corn Here, Flashback, (M)Other, UNROUTE, and Extraordinarily Ordinary. I was a show host for nola.com, and a columnist for Art + Design Magazine, New Orleans Art & Design Magazine, and Scat Magazine. I was a teaching artist with KIDsmART, Art Camp 504, Upturn Arts and Music Box. and at Art Klub NOLA. I have been a resident artist / cultural ambassador at Penasco Theatre, New Mexico; Lake Studios, Berlin; New Voices, Paris; NDSM-Treehouse, Amsterdam; Fix in Art, Thessaloniki; 11 Jane Street Art Center, Saugerties.
Currently I am refining my previously produced original works with an intention of touring them internationally. Thank you Angela King and your gallery family for the platform. reesejohanson.com
