DAY 1:

MASK OF THE DAY: The Hidden Power of Creativity

This is the process of unveiling your own inspiration, creative-potential, and figurative “voice”—however enigmatic. It’s harnessing your best and most brilliant energy, and creating movement and change by sharing yourself through your art, your ideas, and more. Another layer to consider is the upheaval of creativity. We all know that creating art is like slicing open your veins and running yourself dry. It’s clawing your way through rubble and walls. But when you get it, it’s BIG. And it’s important, maybe even a little supernatural. The first step is to uncover your creativity, then to wade through vulnerability and doubt in the process of creation, and finally, to see your contribution shape those who consume it—and as the consumer sees the strength of the final product, he almost inevitably fails to consider its unsure origins.

MUSE OF THE DAY: CHEF JOSÉ MEZA ARRÓYAVE

DAY 2:

MASK OF THE DAY: The Duality of Severance

In any sort of “divorce” type of loss (breaking ties with an institution, a person, a goal, a lifestyle, an identity), there is a simultaneous loss and gain. And especially in the beginning, you’re not always sure which is which. You alternate between feeling justified, strong, and confident that you have the “right” answer, or have made the right choice…and feeling self-doubt, shame, worthlessness. And even when you’re sure you’re making the right choice, there’s still so much loss. You lose your certainty, you lose relationships, you lose a sense of safety and stability. The “mask” here is the uncertain, opaque, variable nature of the situation, itself.

MUSE OF THE DAY: COMEDIAN JAY WHITTAKER

“Ruins Were Great”

DAY 3:

MASK OF THE DAY: Weakness Disguised as Strength

This theme is inspired by confusing nature of pathological power imbalances, and the inevitable re-balancing of those structures. This can be personal, or systemic—but in either case, displays of strong power often mask weakness, and fragility. Soft and smart power play by different rules. They use beauty, kindness, and intelligence…and strong power won’t see it coming, because it’s in a different package than the default ugliness too often used to maintain power. In the end, balance is the key. No one can keep all of the power, but we all can share it. We can let the past go…we can build something better.  A confident joy where aggression once was. The status quo prefers to present itself as the best and only option. The sequestered truth is that change/progress is a triumph for everyone.

MUSE OF THE DAY: CLOWN+ MADAZON CAN-CAN

Creative Process Piece: I knew that I wanted to work in my favorite medium of clown for this song. I listened to the music on repeat, feeling into the words to the point where they emerged on my lips by surprise. I went into my costume closet and couldn’t stay away from one of my favorite and most misunderstood clowns, Maeve the Jester. Maeve is the only character who understands the concept of being ‘in retrograde’ one of the lyrics from the music. My movements were limited by the size of the stage, but I found the restrictions fitting and allowed myself to improv the set. Masks are a clown’s familiar territory. It was nice to jump back into Maeve and feel home.

Artist’s Statement: A jester emerges from a place of retrograde where backwards and forwards only pretend to know each other. A being of flow and of necessary transition and painful truth, the jester dances for the laughter of the gods, which in this case may be the faceless audience of a dire apocalypse. Unfettered and unconcerned, the jester moves and breathes words of truth forgotten by the old world and hopefully rekindled in the new. Let bygones be.

DAY 4:

MASK OF THE DAY: Anonymity’s Double Edge

This idea is inspired by relationships in which one feels simultaneously hurt by and sorry for someone who can’t get out from under their own mask. The mask is a weapon against others, but also against the wearer. This is the kind of mask that keeps others out, but it also keeps the wearer in. Someone who never removes their mask—never moves into vulnerability—will ultimately be lonely, isolated, and unfulfilled.

MUSE OF THE DAY: FINE ART PAINTER LINDSAY FREI

Note From Emily: Lindsay doesn’t prefer to explain her paintings with words, but I think this gorgeous and haunting piece speaks for itself. Lindsay perfectly captured her interpretation of “Anonymity’s Double Edge” in paint. I am so moved by this piece. Thank you, Lindsay!

DAY 5:

MASK OF THE DAY: The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

Parasites and viruses (I wrote this before COVID-19, I swear) are disgusting, but they hide in plain sight inside benign-looking hosts. I think a lot of “evil” works this way. Predators of all sorts hide inside religion, or some apparently “morally superior” political platform, for example. This theme plays with the idea that these hidden predators are almost too pathetic to deserve our anger, but rather just compel disgust. It’s an empowered perspective.

MUSE OF THE DAY: ADVENTURE JAZZ PIANIST DANNY BAUER

Watch to the end for Danny’s artist statement…

DAY 6:

MASK OF THE DAY: Beautiful Illusions

This theme is inspired by the beautiful and how-does-she-do-it women of pinterest and instagram. We’ve all heard people complaining or supposing that the makeup, fashion, home décor, stunning recipes, and perfect insta aesthetic are “fake” . . . But does it really matter? Does the beauty of the end result outweigh the concern of what is “real” and what isn’t? Of course, this question could apply to any manner of mediums, individuals—even entire industries and philosophies. Is there harm in a beautiful illusion? Is the illusion its own sort of beauty? What are the ethics of considering the end without the means? Does intention matter in the building of beauty?

MUSE OF THE DAY: GRAPHIC DESIGNER JONATHAN INGRAM

DAY 7:

MASK OF THE DAY: Refusing Suppression

This theme is presented from the point of view of “the feminine” responding to the proverbial “toxic masculine,” ever-demanding her dampening or erasure. Of course, this dynamic plays out in all sorts of relationships involving all genders, as well as on larger scales with myriad social groups (not limited to gender identity). But certainly, we’re familiar with the idea of someone being threatened or intimidated by their partner’s creativity, productivity, vibrancy. And instead of  rising to meet her—to come together build something beautiful and strong—tries to convince her that she needs to tone it down, that she’s not enough, that she’s too much. Again, this archetypal character tries to force his vibrant partner into a tiny, simple, “safe,” manageable box. In this case, I wanted to explore the idea of the “suppressed” persona pushing back, refusing to reduce herself. Refusing to disguise herself as plain.

MUSE OF THE DAY: FILM ACTOR, WRITER OLIVIA CUSTODIO

Graceful & Mysterious really hits home for me. As an actress, playwright, and just all-around person involved in the arts community, it’s nearly impossible to have a ‘normal’ life and schedule. It’s often a challenge to find friends and partners who are up to the task of supporting this lifestyle, even if it means that they may not get to see me as much as they would like to. To me, this song also speaks to how women especially are told to go for their dreams and work hard…but not too hard. Don’t fly too high. People are excited by the prospect of my lifestyle but often try to impose their constraints on it. I wrote this scene loosely based on real conversations I’ve had with past partners. Acting in it is myself and another wonderful Utah actor, Robert Scott Smith. Enjoy!

DAY 8:

MASK OF THE DAY: Unapologetic Transparency

I love the idea that two amazing, brilliant people can come together without games, without trying to gain the “upper hand” or manipulate, or struggle for power in any way. Both can simply be incredible, comfortable, and inspired by their partner. It’s unmasked. It could also be read in a “meta” kind of way as the ideal relationship between femininity and masculinity (in a totally trans-friendly way), or between/among any identities that are often presented as a false binary.

MUSE OF THE DAY: POET JOEL LONG

Poem Text >>>

DAY 9:

MASK OF THE DAY: The Scapegoat Paradox

As a theme, this is simple. Scapegoats (individuals or group identities) are marked as the authors of pain, problems, suffering, or negative change for a dominant individual or group. The reality is the opposite. The accuser is the author of the malaise, the scapegoat is the recipient of trauma. This is for anyone who is painted as a source of problems, but is ultimately being victimized. The scapegoat has a false identity forced upon him, and the aggressor disguises himself as the victim.

MUSE OF THE DAY: FASHION DESIGNER PINJA FRISTROM

“I approached this design with the wolf/villain and scapegoat view. With a reverse on wolf in sheep’s clothes it’s scapegoat viewed as the wolf. With searching inspiration for scapegoat I saw illustrations of the arrows on a goat, which made me want to put the arrows on the design. It’s more of a costume than clothing, with a headpiece of half wolf/half goat, the wolf side is holding an arrow, which makes it seem like they’re the villain, when in fact they’ve pulled the arrow off of themselves. I ended up using a lot of different mediums in this- pencils, paint, and then editing on the iPad.”

DAY 10:

MASK OF THE DAY: Failures and Fruits

This theme is an exploration of the non-binary, non-linear nature of pain and progress. I’m amazed by our essentially human ability to transform trauma into wisdom, to sprout empathy from pain, to muster growth out of devastation. It’s the ultimate resilience, and the ultimate transformation. When I see beauty and strength, I often wonder which parts of it are inextricably linked to a previous or present hurt. If we look closely, I think we can see it all the time. We endure, undergo, and inherit failures from flawed beings, and somehow we foster brilliant vitality from out of that damage.

MUSE OF THE DAY: DANCER AMIRAH ALHASOUN

“Failures and Fruits to me means us humans can always make a comeback from any bad situation, and turn in into something beautiful. Anything we’re experiencing whether it be pain, struggle, devastation, or trauma, we can grow and blossom from it; instead of putting ourselves down and digging a deeper hole.

It’s okay to fail. Failing and learning from failure makes us have such a sturdy base to build off of, because life is full of failure and sometimes even disbelief. But when life tells you no, come right back at it and prove life wrong.

When you overcome whatever may be causing you pain or grief, you’ll feel like you’ve just sprouted and grown into such a strong human and can turn any sort of pain into true beauty. Because beauty is not always on the outside.

This theme may be the best lesson to learn in life for me personally. It’s so interesting to me that truly anyone can turn devastation, grief, pain, trauma, etc. into something magnificent and unique. Because isn’t that what all makes us human, being unique?

We are all different and beautiful in our own ways.

It’s okay to fail. It’s okay to not be perfect. Because that’s what makes you, you.” – Amirah