Grief Astronomer

Overview

Grief Astronomer is an immersive, multimedia exploration of trauma, disability, childhood, and our relationship to a massive and mysterious universe. Climb aboard our rocketship and become a cosmonaut of memory. Together, well turn a telescope toward the distant cosmos, and a kaleidoscope toward our inner cosmos. Hand in hand, well investigate the parts of ourselves the sun illuminates and the parts the light cant reach, and wrestle with paradoxes both internal and external, micro and macro. Enter into our blanket fort where all is cozy and beautiful, and we are safe to talk about the hard things. Earnest and playful, tragic and tender and raw, Grief Astronomer is a world full of wonder that tells stories of resilience: how we survive the unsurvivable, make meaning of the meaningless, seek connection in the chaos, and find our way back home. After a hugely successful premiere at The Neofuturists in Chicago, Grief Astronomer is coming to the expansive Icebox Project Space. Slumber party meets therapy session meets light show at the planetarium, this event is BYOB (bring your own blankie) and BYOP (bring your own pillow). Seating will be pillows and blankets on the floor, with chairs available for those who need them. There will be snacks! and glow sticks! and secrets! and balloons! Wearing jammies strongly encouraged! Come ready to get cozy and go deep. Show runs about 60 minutes. All performances will be Relaxed Performances, designed to accommodate folks with physical or developmental disabilities, or sensory sensitivities. Most of the show is visually accessible for folks who are hearing impaired. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Laurel at laurelmargaretjohnson@gmail.com, and they will be happy to offer more information, or brainstorm about how to accommodate any specific needs you may have.

About the Artist

Laurel (they/them) is a multidisciplinary, experimental performance artist, originally from Philadelphia and now based in Chicago. They studied theater, modern dance and writing at Bennington College in Vermont, and have studied devising and performance with Pig Iron, The Wilma, Chicago Dramatists, and The Neofuturists. Their work is largely autobiographical, frequently scientific, and often explores the themes of trauma and disability, and how we invent ways to find beauty, find each other, play and survive, even in our darkest, most painful moments. Highly visual, visceral and vulnerable, their work incorporates many art forms: integrating poetry, movement, clown, and audience interaction, with video projections, animations, and dynamic lighting. You can follow them on instagram @lllaurelllaurelllaurelll, where they frequently post their artistic musings and experiments.