Living Obliquely

Approximately 1400 people are diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis (TM) annually.
Similar to Multiple Sclerosis, it attacks your myelin, leading to painful and debilitating side effects.
About 33,000 Americans are currently disabled as a result of this rare neurological disorder.
Not one person with TM will ever know their prognosis.
I happen to be one of them.



I am a neurological soup. Since my TM diagnosis, I have developed encephalitis, MS, RSD/CRPS, Osteoporosis (I am 34, no 35, eek), and Chronic Anemia. Yeah...life sucks, but I still rock.



6.17.2011

2 Gimps With 1 Stone: 1) Mel - Art Opening (tomorrow). 2) Seeking Strong Bodies - Dis-InEquality Live Art (tomorrow).

2 Gimps With 1 Stone - a horrible thing to say, but i'm spent and rushed and neither of those are good for 1 gimp, let alone 2 with or without a stone. Tweet me anyway, please?



And now, I introduce to you.............  a 2 part email ............ this time actually with two parts!
 

I.
Mel's in an Art Show! TOMORROW!


The James Oliver Gallery Presents:
"Femme"
featuring 18 international artists
in a mixed media group exhibition exploring gender – in all its dimensions - the 21st century 
 
OPENING RECEPTION, June 18, 6-10PM

James Oliver Gallery
723 Chestnut St., 4th floor
Philadelphia, PA 19106
www.jamesolivergallery.com
jamesolivergallery@gmail.com
267-918-7432

That's me as Old Mel in Bodiverse. And the Gallery Logo... how'd that get there?   

[insert mel]
And I'm reviving my NeuroDemon-Abandoned "ongoing" project Bodiverse. Reincarnated as a 35-minute non-video-art-video-art work. The short description is: the body; the verse; the universe. The long one's all over the pages of the Bodiverse blog. Just google it, and save me the time of links and all that jazz.

After all... I've been IVIg-less since Medicare kicked in May 1. So I can't even see what I'm typing.

Keep on, keepin' on.... for details about this awesome group exhibit.  [Hint: There's a surprise for you at the end.... not a box of chocolate, but almost as expensive!]


[insert gallery]
Oliver wanted the artists to have free reign when developing work for “Femme” – an expression both foreign and innate - that conjures thoughts, emotions, images, experiences, and memories as inclusive as they can be exclusive; as intimate and commonplace as they can be political and controversial; timely, post-contemporary, and historical; ideals and ordeals of gender, femininity, or feminism.  

The variety of mixed-gender artists tackled this broad subject as variously as the artists themselves, resulting in a thought-provoking, intimate ,and universal mixed media exhibition of “Femme” expressed through painting, photography, sculpture, glass, multimedia video, performance, and installation art – as well as the possibility for the on-looker to become art in the show. “Not be be missed,” says James Oliver, gallery owner.

Featuring Artists

Pete Checchia • Karen Gibson • Anthony DeMelas • Nick Cassway • Ernie Sandidge

Melanie Miller • Jesse Beamesderfer • Rick Fichter • Gretchen Diehl

Antonia Cianfrani Brady Sanders • Zito • Benjamin Sperry

Denise Fike• Erin Etcker • James Oliver • Tom Buildmore

[insert Mel: and don't forget]
Opening Reception
June 18th, 6PM-10PM

The exhibit will run through August 20th




II.
Seeking STRONG BODIES 
to be in a GIMP THIS! Art Installation. 
TOMORROW!
Also @ James Oliver Gallery's Femme Opening Reception



This is what's posted on Craig's List. Get out your reading glasses, press zoom, just be you're super human self, or click on the image and go right to the original post.

However you swing your cane, feel free to respond if you know a STRONG & WILLING  body, I mean person:


could i take any more short cuts?!

Thanks all! Pass it on if you can!


Yours in Neuroism, Art, & Lights that are way too bright,
Melanie


 

In Pictures

Please Note: Some photos may contain partial nudity or depictions of medical procedures. Though I am in many of these photos, my reason for sharing these personal photos is to promote awareness, understanding, and advocacy for people with TM and other rare diseases.
To play the slide show, click the big play button in the center of the screen, then the small one in the bottom left corner. Click here for more advanced viewing instructions, and select "Help."

Twittering Mel

    follow me on Twitter

    Neuro Art Latest

    See My Art Published in Monkey Puzzle Issue #7

    See My Art Published in Monkey Puzzle Issue #7
    Representing TM through Art and Dialogue...Locally, Nationally, Virtually.