Tea(r)ism

Launched: 2017 in Honolulu, HI

Featured in:
”Naoko Wowsugi Guided Artist Lecture” by Georgie Payne, Dirt.
“Care Package: Cultural Nutrients for Times Like This“ by Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center.

A participatory performance, Tea(r)ism, invited visitors to partake, in a ritualistic crying tea ceremony, sipping a Hawaiian native medicinal detox tea, Mamaki, while listening to audio-guided meditation.

Throughout the ceremony, participants were encouraged to cry and shed tears into their tea for the ultimate cleanse.

As collective healing, this project offered a safe space for participants to release emotions, and share their vulnerabilities.

 

Come take part in a 16 minutes meditative healing ritual of crying. This meditation can be enjoyed anywhere by disregarding the few references to assistants.

For the optimal Tea(r)ism experience, please prepared with the following:

  • One person or more ready to participate

  • A quiet, comfortable place to sit

  • Headphones preferred for complete audio immersion

  • A cup of mamaki tea (alternatively, any other soothing tea or beverage)

  • Facial tissues (just in case)

 
Tea(r)ism_front.jpg

Voice by Skylar Fein

Project Manager: Nicole Dowd

Commissioned by: Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center

Support from: The Rauschenberg Residency and American University

Contributions: Lucia Riffel, Issac Saunder, Will Rawls, and Tom "Pohaku" Stone