Intimacy With the World

first thing in the morning with Neil Ellis Orts

Saturday, January 29, 2011

01.23.11 - 01.29.11







Posted by Neil Ellis Orts at 7:10 AM No comments:
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Labels: First Thing in the Morning, Intimacy with the World, Neil Ellis Orts

Saturday, January 22, 2011

01.16.11 - 01.22.11







Posted by Neil Ellis Orts at 5:22 AM No comments:
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Saturday, January 15, 2011

01.09.11 - 01.15.11







Posted by Neil Ellis Orts at 7:35 AM No comments:
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Saturday, January 8, 2011

01.01.11 - 01.08.11











Posted by Neil Ellis Orts at 9:02 AM No comments:
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Featured Post

2016 Half-Way Mark

So here we are, half-way through 2016, half-way through this iteration of Intimacy with the World. I feel like I should have something pro...

Origin Story

2015 wasn't as bad as 2010, but it was pretty meh. This blog pulled me out of 2010 in good ways and so, five years later, I'm doing it again. Everything else from 5 years ago (below) still applies. Make of it what you will.
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As someone who has lived alone for possibly way too long, it occurs to me that no one ever sees me in my private moments. The year 2010 has heightened this feeling in significant ways and, of course, there's no better way to deal with feelings of loneliness, aging, and loss than to turn it into a conceptual art project!

My first impulse was to find someplace that would let me do a performance installation called, "hardly anyone ever sees me naked" and set up a space where I dress and undress and dress and undress (and I mean completely because I really don't have much problem with nudity). It would be an exercise in vulnerability, poignancy, and (I'll say it) exhibitionism. I decided that this would probably scandalize some members of my church (although I hasten to add that if you are a presenter and this sounds like something you'd like to present in your art space, I don't mind scandalizing the church for a small fee).

On further reflection, it occurred to me that one of the most intimate and vulnerable moments in our lives is the first thing in the morning, after waking up. Our hair is a mess, we might have stuff in the corners of our eyes, personally, I'm rather grumpy and resentful that anyone wants me anywhere before noon.

So, I decided to turn this unattractive moment into a superficial attempt at intimacy with the whole world, or at least the portion of the world connected to the internet. My self-determined rules are simple: no brushing or combing of hair, avoidance of the mirror, just write down the date, hold it next to my face, and take the picture. Oh, and only one shot. No do-overs. No attempts to take a better shot, no matter how off-centered, blurry, or just plain unappealing.

I intend to do this for the entire year of 2011. If I miss a day, I'll take it up again the next. I'll probably post the photos once a week.

That's all. Make of it what you will.

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      • 01.23.11 - 01.29.11
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      • 01.09.11 - 01.15.11
      • 01.01.11 - 01.08.11

About Me

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Neil Ellis Orts
NEW: My novella, CARY AND JOHN is published and available for purchase at parsonsporch.com or Amazon.com. Arts, religion, where those intersect, and where they don't . . . a freelance writer with credits in OutSmart Magazine, Dance Studio Life, Dance Source Houston, The Christian Century, Gay and Lesbian Review Worldwide, Living Lutheran . . . impractically educated, with a BFA in theater (Texas State University), an M.Div, (Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest), and an MA in interdisciplinary arts (Columbia College Chicago) . . . visit my other blogs, listed in my full profile . . . available for all kinds of things, most of which fall under standard legal, ethical, and moral guidelines.
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