MIKO KURO’S MIDNIGHT TEA
Concept by
Natasha Marin
Poet & PERFORMER Natasha Marin is a poet and conceptual artist living in Seattle. She works between genres and in collaboration with other artists to adapt her poetry into multimedia experiences. Her latest project, Miko Kuro's Midnight Tea has been hosted in different countries around the world and will celebrate it's four-year anniversary on December 12, 2012 in Mumbai, India. Born in Trinidad, and raised in Canada, Marin enjoys seeing her poetry transform and develop further in performance and translation and has work published in English, French, and Chinese in journals and anthologies.
View samples of her work at: www.afurocreative.com. Natasha Marin as Miko Kuro, pictured (cover) during a performance inspired by the kitsune, or fox spirit. Makeup by Nightshade Beauty (www.nightshade.com). Photo by Guy Roland. Two portraits of the artist (above right and left) by Daniel Carrillo as part of his archival collection documenting members of the Seattle arts community using the wet collodion method invented in 1850. The Chinese text in appearing in the red box above, is taken from a Mandarin translation of “The Family Secret� an original poem by Natasha Marin published in Two Southwests (Virtual Artists Collective, 2008).
Kaoru Okumura, as Butoh Bird, pictured at the Midnight Tea at ArtXchange Gallery in Seattle. Makeup by Nightshade Beauty (www.nightshadebeauty.com). Photo by Leigh Hawthorn.
Ceci est le rouge de la terre: le rouge des pierres géantes roulés au loin des ombres. Ceci est le rouge d’un homme qui n’est pas certain de son pouvoir ...
Natasha Marin as Miko Kuro, pictured above at the Midnight Tea in Paris, France. Makeup and hair by Nightshade Beauty. Photo by Olivia de Soares. Text excerpt (top) from an original poem entitled “Lazarus, as Red Bird” by Marin, translated into French by Malissa Kent.
Have Tea. Will Travel. Vancouver, CANADA Miko Kuro’s Midnight Tea begins as a monthly “art happening” at 45WEST STUDIOS in 2008. Within a year, it becomes a buzzworthy underground event with guest spots reserved months in advance.
Seattle/Tacoma, USA Midnight Tea debuts in America at SPEAKEASY ARTS COOP (Tacoma, 2009) Midnight Tea is held as a seasonal event at ARTXCHANGE GALLERY in Pioneer Square (Seattle, 2010).
Paris, FRANCE Midnight Tea featuring the work of German painter, Michael Hottner and French sound artist, Joachim Montessuis (2010).
Serifos, GREECE Midnight Tea hosted on the shores of the Aegean Sea featuring the work of Cave Canem poets and friends (2011).
Lexington, USA Midnight Tea reunion event at the Morlan Art Gallery featuring the work of Rob Morgan and Bianca Spriggs. (2011).
Kunming, CHINA Midnight Tea collaboration with 943 Studio artists featuring the work of local community members (2011).
Natasha Marin as Miko Kuro, pictured below at the Midnight Tea in Seattle, USA. Right: Miko Kuro as a Bird Spirit, entertaining Midnight Tea guest, Daemond Arrindell in her life-sized nest. Makeup and hair by Nightshade Beauty (www.nightshadebeauty.com). Photos by Leigh Hawthorn.
Featured Artist, Bettina Judd, pictured below with a Midnight Tea guest at the Midnight Tea in Vancouver, Canada. Photo by Dafang Jiang.
Miko Kuro’s Midnight Tea provides an alternative space wherein both artists and members of the community at large work together to co-create a ritualized art happening. The Midnight Tea fosters dynamic collaborations, cultural exchange, and Genuine Encounters with the artistic Self.
Featured Artist, Deidre Gantt, pictured below with a Midnight Tea guest at the Midnight Tea in Vancouver, Canada. Photo by Dafang Jiang. Bottom: Midnight Tea guests enjoy a wide variety of hand-crafted and artisan-style confections during the event. Photo and catering by Jaime-Lee Fuoco.
“Miko Kuro’s Midnight Tea is a place of Genuine Encounter, where all people (regardless of race, class, sexual orientation, nationality, or education level, etc.) are allowed to play and explore their relationship to creativity, community and spirituality within the context of an art happening.” —SPLINTER GENERATION interview with Natasha Marin
mumbai AT mIDNIGHT Featured Artist, Jui Mhatre, pictured below demonstrating classical Bharatnatyam Indian dance poses at the Midnight Tea in Vancouver, Canada. Photo by Dafang Jiang.
12.12.2012 12 artists 12 hours 12 teas
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT:
WWW.MIKOKURO.COM