Rather than traditional plays, Cara Mía Theatre is presenting a series of intersectional art experiences for its 25th anniversary season titled “Visions of a New World.” A highlight will be “Remember. Breathe. Dream.,” an exhibition that will bring together different artists’ works and elements for an in-person experience beginning this week at the Latino Cultural Center.
“It’s an opportunity for us to explore our passions for different things, not just the visual arts but also the contemplative and healing arts,” says David Lozano, Cara Mía’s executive artistic director and curator of this exhibition.
Combining different elements, such as visual arts, meditative practices and art installations, is a first for Cara Mía, and part of an effort to reimagine how to present art experiences to the Dallas community.
“We need to rethink how to create and engage with people, communicate our messages as artists with our communities in interesting ways,” Lozano says.
Described as “a contemplative visual arts journey,” the exhibition will feature five different stations, or experiences, inside and outside of the LCC that will present the work of artists including award-winning playwright Virginia Grise, who joined Cara Mía full time earlier this year; healing artist Stefanie Tovar; Dallas-based sculptor Andrew Scott; and Zen practitioner Ruben Habito.
Part of the exhibition’s contemplative aspect is the weaving in of themes such as dreams and memory — aimed at creating a reflective experience for attendees. For instance, Grise’s play, Soñar es luchar, which reflects on the power of dreaming, will be presented in a film format.
Directed by Kendra Ware, Soñar es luchar was also shown virtually earlier this year at SolFest 2020, which is described as a Latinx theater festival. At this in-person exhibition, though, the piece will be accompanied by an immersive installation created by scenic designer Tanya Orellana.
Throughout the exhibition, visitors will have the opportunity to participate in the experiences, too.
“There’s going to be opportunities to breathe deeply, to write,” Tovar says. “It’s not only going to be a visual experience. The attendees are going to be asked to engage with us a bit.” For Tovar’s part, she will be using her harmonium, drums and voice to create a meditative experience for attendees.
At another station, images of events taking place around the world will be displayed on a sculpture by Scott and along one of the Latino Cultural Center’s walls. This installation will be accompanied by a guided meditation by Habito.
The movement from one station to the next is intentional, Tovar says. “It is a curated experience with a beginning, middle and end,” she says. “It’s almost like a theatrical piece. We’re hoping the attendees will feel lovingly guided through the experience.”
Ultimately, the exhibition aims to provide a space for folks to reground themselves.
“The creative experience of it is certainly meant to help us remember who we are, where we’ve been and consider where we’re going,” Tovar says.
During the event, all attendees will be asked to wear masks. Each room will be limited to four visitors at a time, and there will also be a 10-minute limit per station. Tickets, priced at $15, are pre-purchase only. They can be purchased via Cara Mía Theatre’s website or by calling the box office.
However, Lozano says that no one will be turned away because of cost; people who wish to attend can call the box office for a complimentary ticket if needed.
Correction, Nov. 19 at 11:45 a.m.: A quote in this story has been updated to reflect that David Lozano was commenting on “the contemplative and healing arts,” not “parts.”
Details
“Remember. Breathe. Dream.” will be on view Nov. 20 through Dec. 13 at the Latino Cultural Center, 2600 Live Oak St., Dallas. $15, but complimentary tickets are available to those who need them. caramiatheatre.org.
