Temple of the Dancing Bear
A series of events inspired by film In the Land of the War Canoes by Edward Curtis. Curtis an early filmmaker, recorded a fictive silent film that depicted the rituals of the Kwakiutl people. Fuller, a native of Washington State, grew up viewing and drawing artwork of the Pacific Northwest with his stepfather.
This piece included
1) The building of a bear costume using recycled materials- cardboard, paint, wood, a fur coat, and sweaters.
2) A recorded three hour trance ritual in which Paulsen danced to the Jackson 5 until she reached an unconscious state of dancing.
3) Participation in a community parade as "The Bear"
4) The building and exhibiting of the shrine structure to house the video of the dancing bear.
5) An end dance ritual performed by the Bear, culminating in the burning of the Shrine Structure in nature.
6) The exhibition of Bear Costume pieces, Dancing Bear, and a recording of the life and death of the Shrine Structure at The Great Rivers Biennial.
This piece included
1) The building of a bear costume using recycled materials- cardboard, paint, wood, a fur coat, and sweaters.
2) A recorded three hour trance ritual in which Paulsen danced to the Jackson 5 until she reached an unconscious state of dancing.
3) Participation in a community parade as "The Bear"
4) The building and exhibiting of the shrine structure to house the video of the dancing bear.
5) An end dance ritual performed by the Bear, culminating in the burning of the Shrine Structure in nature.
6) The exhibition of Bear Costume pieces, Dancing Bear, and a recording of the life and death of the Shrine Structure at The Great Rivers Biennial.
