October 24, 2024 - Raj Tawney, bus shelters as public art, and Cirque of the Dead

Writer Raj Tawney’s work largely reflects his multiracial American upbringing. Born to an Indian, Puerto Rican, and Italian American family, Tawney has explored his identity and family history through personal essays, a memoir and now  he’s applying the edict “write what you know” to his forthcoming young adult novel, “All Mixed up.”  It’s a coming-of-age story that follows a friendship forged between Kamal, a multi-ethnic American and Jaz, a Pakistani immigrant in the aftermath of 9/11.From there we meet the artist who is brightening our commute, The Public Art Fund and the advertising company JCDecaux have been collaborating to expand public art. One initiative is  transforming bus shelters into public exhibition spaces.The latest installation features artist Adrienne Elise Tarver. Her series, recently unveiled at 300 bus shelters in New York City, Chicago and Boston, is titled “She Who Sits.” The panels feature portraits of seated women and are the artist’s consideration of the enduring influence and significance of the Black matriarch. Finally, Boston Circus Guild is taking Halloween to new frights and literally heights, with “Cirque of the Dead.” It is an adults-only spooky spectacular full of aerial arts, acrobatics, and a story about the spiritualist movement of the 1920s. Ellen Waylonis  and Eileen Little join us for a preview. Ellen Waylonis is the creative producer of  this year’s “Cirque of the Dead,”  and you can see her perform in it. Eileen Little is the director of this year’s “Cirque of the Dead,” which kicks off tonight and ends on October 31st. There are a total of five performances at Arts at the Armory in Somerville. For more information go here.