Lynn Mizono: A Life of Fine & Fun Design

Meeting Lynn Mizono was like entering an exquisite new and paradoxical world that I was somehow already familiar with in my DREAMS. Ms. Mizono IS the essence of all the finest art and design I experienced while living in Japan cultivated in a west coast USA context; all the while being a totally unique creatrix unto herself. While being tastefully refined and even formal; everything she devises also contains a playful smile of whimsey and humor. All in all it is difficult to contain in words and must be experienced. Her ART of daily life is consistent and connected to her essence even in the most deep & intimate areas of space behind the bed, inside the bath and closets. A short list of some most remarkable parts of her decor include poetry etched in the glass of the front door, unmarked bottles of multi-colored liquids, puppets hanging over the bed and life sized metal mesh bodies floating over the living room; a bathroom sink that colorfully responds to voices, a posing kitty, the most orderly closet & studio full of mysterious art-garments that I have ever seen, stairs that change colors and a see-thru second floor landing to name just a few. Her delicacy, simplicity, specificity to every tiniest detail, luxurious economy and whimsey all inspired my butoh dance to have a similar essence.

TRY THIS: Take time to be with and examine your own lifestyle & design choices. How are they consistent with your essence/soul or not? How can you align your creativity and action choices more congruently with your essence and soul?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55xPff0iLpU (this film has a little edit glitch that I am fixing now...pretty sure you will enjoy watching it anyway)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfVhwJ31VV8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_jAhrTKnZs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3TWZiOMQ8c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRhzLur7Ttg

I share these images & film to offer a taste of how I was touched, moved, nourished, entertained and changed by our collaboration. The time here was particularly striking because Lynn's home is nearly the polar opposite of the brilliant colors and small space packed with decorative items that I had just experienced earlier that day at Victoria's place. (Victoria & Lynn are very close friends). Lynn and & I had so much fun during this 2 hour spontaneous exploration wherein I entered her home, interviewed her, put on her clothes & danced in her space. We hope to co-create a good deal more together in the near future.

High Tea & De-Light with Victoria Fairbanks

I have often shied away from "STYLES" thinking that they are something inauthentic or "put on" to "fit in" with a status quo or prove something to others. This moon, I chose to experiment with The Styles by immersing myself in the lifestyles of people who have very unique homes, clothing, belongings, activities that are distinct from my own. I wanted to discover what inspires them to make the choices they do and how being with these people in their spaces could effect my being and dance experience.

The first time I came to Victoria's beautiful land it was dark, I followed a long row of candles out to a bonfire and open field; I was immediately enchanted. This was a memorial meditation for a dear friend and although we were all filled with sadness, I also felt something sparkling, magical and dreamlike. I knew immediately I wanted to return in the daylight and get to know this very special woman who is a member of a very special (human & non-human) family.

This came to pass when I called to ask if I could "dwell" with her in her lifestyle for a couple of hours to see what sort of dance might arise. She was so welcoming and generous with her space and time. These photos and video capture just a taste of the delightful essence of this gracious and spirited being. If you ever get the chance, you must enter her garden and home yourself to FEEL the light she invites and cultivates there. I asked her about the "sparkly" mystical feeling that surprised me immediately when I opened the gate and stepped inside. The reply came instantly something like: "Oh, of course! There are many nature spirits here that I communicate with all the time. They are some of my closest friends!"

This visit and the other three LifeStyle dwelling dance dates (a Soul Motion Ecstatic Dance Event, at Seattle's Tent City and with designer Lynn Mizono) I experienced this week convince me that STYLE can definitely be an emanation and revelation of one's true nature, heart and soul...or simply a reflection of one's conditioning and circumstances. What does style mean to you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMjygOlfcUw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx4rTIISRWs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfMXyjxnKZM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_jEHI31_bA

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