Jessica Harlond-Kenny

Having watched the video above you now know that I plan to head to Mexico this May. You know that during that time I will be researching and immersing myself in their culture, to tell you one of their Story's. It's an Artist Residency with Arquetopia, you know this and you know the story is called "La Llorona" and it follows the tragic happenings that lead a mother to drown her two sons.

BUT WHY? Why this story? Why is something so tragic so important? Why do I need to go to Mexico to tell it?
And why should you care!? Let me tell you why...

"La Llorona" - the tragic tale of a woman murders her own two children. I know you've heard stories like this before and you've wondered how on earth anyone kill off something they had cared for, created and cherished for so long.

I believe you have all already done this. Each of us at some point has been driven for one reason or another to kill our babies. Each of us has had a dream? or a desire? or a university degree? a pet? a truth? that we have not only given up on but that we have actively sabotaged in some way. Perhaps you thought it wasn't what everyone else wanted for you? Maybe you were embarrassed? or you neglected yourself for so long you forgot what you were capable of? What ever it is, this dark passenger needs addressing.

Why do we hurt the things we loved? What drives us to the point of chaos and causes us to throw all our hope into the river?

This story leaves so many unanswered questions. I want to tell this story in the hope that we can find some answers and ultimately some solutions.

Ok... well why Mexico?

"La Llorona" belongs to Mexico. Estimated to be over 600 years old (around long enough to have influenced Aztec storytelling.) It's obvious that this is a story deeply engrained in and understood by Mexican culture. The relationship that Mexico has with death, tragedy and this story is incredibly unique and cannot be experienced through text alone. It’s only by immersing myself in Mexican Culture that I will ensure respect is kept for the story and Mexican traditions.

I want this to be a story that is shared across cultures and not stolen.

A culture can only be enriched by sharing in another country's color and life. Perth is a vibrant city with so much more potential and I want to see a diverse palate of influence from around the world. Mexico is just the start!

Are you still with me? ...me? that's actually the next why. Why me?

I was selected as the 2014 Stages WA Ground Floor playwright and am being supported to create this work over the next ten months. This is now! It is vital that Mexico happens now to begin the research needed for later development. The project cannot be pushed outside of its current deadline.

This residency is the next necessary step in my career. It will work to improve my skills and add depth, variation and resonance to my work, ensuring I remain relevant to the industry. Right now I have the time, resources, supportive backing and creative momentum to take full advantage of this project and the opportunities it brings.

Plus by engaging with an international arts community I will be raising my profile as a quality writer while widening my network of mentors, collaborators and peers. It gives me the opportunity to cement and extend the years of training and investment that have been placed in me.

This project will ensure I can contribute to the Perth Arts community in an incredibly positive way, not only by providing it with a new work but by being given the opportunity to share my experience with other local artists, all with the support of StagesWA.

There's one more important why; Why Pozible?

I'm financing a third of this project myself and I do need your donations to get it going but there's more to it then that. I've come to pozible because as well as your donations I need you're support. I need you to get passionate along the way with me. I want you to take a part in creating this work. I want to be able to build a pool of people interested in this story and this journey; who I can call on to help create the work. I want to know who is out there that I can collaborate with? Who is interested enough to give me their thoughts on where the project is going?

Who else wants a taste of this Mexican tale?

Well that’s all the whys at this stage - but please don't hesitate to ask me another one!

Below is a slightly more detailed paragraph about the actual residency...

“Arquetopia is a registered Mexican non-profit foundation promoting Development, social transformation and productivity through artistic, cultural, and educational programs.” (Arquetopia.org)

The residency is designed specifically for my project and will be supported with a translator.
In Mexico I plan to:-
- Visit the sites where “La Llorona” has been seen/speak with locals aware of the legend
- Meet traditional storytellers, listen/watch them tell “La Llorona.”
- Witness how Mexican folk art is created, for example Cartonería sculptures (papier-mâché day of the dead sculptures)
- Study Mexican Iconography
- Immerse myself in Mexican culture, attend events, markets local cafes etc. in order to provide opportunities to meet with locals and see how they live
- Experience Mexican theatre, film and music
- Begin scripting my work

Lets break in down - monies??

The total of the project sits at $8000... I've broken this into 3 basic sections:
$3000 of this will be personally funded, $2500 will be through an Artflight funding round and then the remaining $2500 is where I need your help.

This $2500 will cover the actually residency fee or more specifically;
My contact with local mentors and artists, translation, accommodation, some food needs and all the juicy stuff you read about above. Arquetopia is a completely not-for-profit entity so its incredible.

The rest of it breaks down like this:

The $3000 that I personally fund goes towards
Transport - taxi's, buses etc
Food - not all my food is covered in the residency fee, plus I understand that much of a countries culture and how they tell their stories is found in the food they eat and the experience of sharing a meal and then sharing stories
Materials - I have ascertained that it is much cheaper to purchase my materials while in Mexico, this includes sketch books and journals, writing and drawing utensils and any additional materials needed to create example of traditional Mexican folk art.
Research costs - entry fees to galleries or libraries, show tickets etc
Documentation - film and photography
Insurance - medical and material travel insurance

The $2500 that I am seeking through Artflight will cover the flights and airport transfers. Perth to Mexico. Economy class.

I don't speak Spanish. BUT! I will have a translator with me along most of the way in Mexico, I have chosen mentors that speak both English and Spanish, I've begun learning Spanish myself and I've looked into lots of tools and techniques to ensure I still get all the info and color I need.

And then the obvious one! Finance. This project cannot go ahead without your support. My work and this story being shared is in your hands.