Artist Spotlight: Rosy Simas

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Rosy Simas, photo: Tim Rummelhoff

Rosy Simas creates innovative interdisciplinary Native contemporary art that connects artists and audiences. She is also an enrolled member of the Seneca Nation. Rosy was selected for a 2022 McKnight Fellowship for Choreography and Dance. Her current project, she who lives on the road to war, is on display at the Weisman Art Museum and at All My Relations Art Gallery. We talked to her about the inspiration for the work and how we might all benefit from the peace generated from the performances and installation.

Q:  Congratulations are in order - your new work, she who lives on the road to war, has a dual premiere in Minneapolis in the heart of the Native community at All My Relations Arts Gallery (AMRA) and the Weisman Art Museum (WAM), before touring other cities across the country. You were commissioned to create the work, which consists of a new installation and in-gallery performances. Please tell us about your inspiration for the work?

A:  I was approached by WAM in 2019 about doing a residency, and at the time I had just finished a work at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts and that project was very challenging due to the times we were living in – the contentious administration, the ramping up of bigotry and bias both towards BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ folks. I was finding that in my own group of people I work with there was a lot of difficulty for people to just show up. Creating art under these circumstances seemed like climbing a never-ending uphill mountain. I wanted to embark on a project that would be holistic, in a helpful way, to the people I work with. So, not just something they give themselves to, but one that actually gives back to them as well. Nourishing and restful for all concerned. That’s how the work began.

But also at the same time, I had been seeking for ways to find more peace in my negotiation of work with institutions. I turned to my own culture’s peacemaking practices as inspiration. I’m not an expert at Haudenosaunee peacemaking traditions – it is a lifelong learning process to understand and a constant consideration that inspires me to bring this idea of making and bringing peace into the world. I wanted to bring it into the work. 

Part of the she who lives on the road to war installation

Q:  This work will address the dual pandemics we are living through – systemic racism and COVID. Can you please tell us more about this idea?   

A:  Yes, the COVID pandemic hit in 2020, and systemic racism was full blown with everything surrounding George Floyd’s murder. It was impacting BIPOC and LGBTQIA artists in really daunting ways. Not being able to make work (you could not go into the studios), losing income, and even feeling that being in public was entering a hostile environment. I wanted to create a space where we could come together as a group and support each other and be safe. I also had to consider what audiences needed at this time as well. The considerations for the installation were – limited seating, social distancing and a feeling of safety and restfulness when entering the space. Another aspect of the installation is that we have all experienced extreme loss in so many ways; the installation allows people (performers and the audience) space to gather, grieve and condole with each other.

Q:  What are audience reactions to the work? What do you want the viewer to feel or experience? 

A:  Well there are two aspects to my answer. We have the installations at both WAM and AMRA. Performances are held in both spaces, too. Only so many people can attend the performances due to space constraints. The performances are designed to be an activation of the space and an act of peace in itself.  Responses to the performances tell us that it is very moving to watch people be in relationship and care for each other so much. People feel calmer when they leave the space. This is also true of people viewing just the installation. The installation is meant to NOT activate the nervous system. The installation is intended to calm the nervous system. I created the work to provide peace to all who engage with it – via performances or viewing the installation.

Photo of Lela Pierce by Valerie Oliveiro

Q:  Please tell us about events surrounding she who lives on the road to war. 

A:  The performances are now sold out at the two institutions. With limited seating and required registrations, they filled up right away. But we are going to do pop-up performances which we’ll coordinate and put it out via social media and people can just show up. We want other people to have access to experience the performances, in addition to the installations. See the installation at WAM through February 5, 2023. The installation is at AMRA until December 17. 

Q:  How may we follow your news? 

A:  Follow us at Rosy Simas Danse, Facebook and Instagram.