Short Summary
Imagine a sextet of wind and percussion ushering in a troupe of dancers with gigantic back spikes and horned headdresses who contrast fierce combative battles with graceful, doleful courtship.
Welcome to our vision for Scarabic Serenades, a collaborative, multi-media performance and nature documentary from composer Jessi Harvey and choreographer Julynn Wildman (the Emlen Artist Co-Lab), based in the research of the Emlen Evolutionary Biology Lab into the mating rituals of the Japanese Rhinoceros Beetle.
Background
We met in 2022 as OpenAIR Artists-in-Residence at University of Montana’s Emlen Lab of Evolutionary Biology. Over a six-week residency, we dove deeply into the research and resources offered by the lab, which studies the ritual battles and mating habits of the Japanese Rhinoceros Beetle. After seeing the compatibility and complementarity of our media, approaches, and creative styles, we envisioned a larger-scale, cross-genre collaboration, resulting in idea for Scarabic Serenades, a 20-minute piece for chamber sextet (b-flat clarinet, bass clarinet, alto sax, tenor sax, marimba, and mixed percussion) and and dance ensemble.
At a glance:
Scarabic Serenades is a 20-minute multi-media performance documentary based in the research of the Emlen Lab into the ritual battles and mating songs of the Japanese Rhinoceros Beetle composed for chamber sextet (b-flat clarinet, bass clarinet, alto sax, tenor sax, marimba, and mixed percussion), accompanying contemporary/modern dance ensemble, featuring sculptural costumes inspired by the charismatic anatomy of beetle armors and weapons filmed at the Missoula Butterfly House & Insectarium and professionally recorded for online distribution.
This project creates a bold new path for engaging the public with the excitement and relevance of scientific research and the performing arts and widens the impact beyond the reach dance, music, or science have independently.
What We Need & What You Get
We are incredibly lucky to have financial backing and commitment for over half of the project expenses, provided through granting organizations, and in-kind and financial contributions of individuals and organizations in Missoula and beyond. This is a testament to the interest and enthusiasm behind this collaboration, but more is needed to maximize this project’s potential; we are inviting you to join our base of support to multiply this excitement and increase our ability to produce a deeply meaningful product.
We want to engage and involve donors when they choose to support our work, giving recognition to support of all levels with additional levels including perks like donor-exclusive merchandise, and access to special events like exclusive behind-the-scenes access and opportunities to meet artists and scientists. Many perks have in-person or remote options, meaning you can receive the benefits of support from within or beyond the Missoula area, and make sure to follow our campaign for upcoming limited-quantity perks.
Perk Descriptions:
- At all support levels, starting from the Scarab Beetle tier, we acknowledge the true community effort behind collaboration through a Social Shoutout, which includes posts on our social media platforms as well as acknowledgment on any live event programs and inclusion in the documentary's credits.
- Our donor-exclusive Sticker Trio is available at the Stag Beetle level of support or as an add-on to any other level. Featuring the Emlen Artist Co-Lab dancing beetles, these stickers are a great way to show off your support of the arts and sciences on water bottles, laptops, scrapbooks, or anywhere that needs a little anthropo-entomo jazz.
- Beginning at the Rhino Beetle level, donors will receive a Digital Download to enjoy the documentary again and again.
- Our Goliath and Atlas Beetle levels of support each include the Social Shoutout and Digital Download but each with a unique, exclusive opportunity.
- For additional engagement in the artistic process, the Goliath Beetle level offers an exclusive behind-the-scenes sneak peek* into a filming session either in person, via live stream, or post hoc video.
- And for even deeper immersion into the research, Atlas Beetle level donors have the unique opportunity to tour the Missoula Butterfly House* with Dr. Emlen, including the chance to visit the critters that inspired this performance.
*Both behind-the-scenes and tour perks are capped at ten (10) participants. Goliath and Atlas level donations include access for one (1) individual; additional participants can be added for an additional, discounted donation.
The Impact
We feel that this project is important on both local and global levels; through engagement of diverse pockets of the Missoula community and through wider digital distribution, it creates new ways to access the excitement and relevance of science and the natural world. It stokes the creative economy of Montana, enabling artists to be fairly compensated for their work and ensuring that audiences within and beyond the state have continued access to relevant, interesting, and timely art. This unique, cross-disciplinary opportunity gives professional and student artists and scientists a chance to work with specialists outside their media and can demonstrate how when properly supported, local expertise and enthusiasm can create a global impact.
The video version of this piece will be shared widely, through outlets like the National Science Foundation (1.2 M followers) and distributed by a global network of collaborating scientists (France, Germany, Switzerland, the UK, Australia, Japan), all of whom are seeking successful examples of impactful collaborations between artists and scientists as they search for better ways to confront the challenges of politically fractured societies.
Moving Forward
We have the commitment and support to begin this collaboration, but now need to push through to our financial goals. This will ensure that we have the dedicated time and attention to the creative and administrative components it requires.
This final push will ensure that we, and other working artists are given a fair and living wage, and will provide components that help this project be seamless and professional. We will be able to hire lighting and sound professionals, assistant videographers, gaffers, post-production, color editing, sound mixing and mastering, and more. The better the quality of the final product, the better the representation of arts and science collaborations, which will open the door for others.
Scarabic Serenades engages audiences with whimsy and beauty while maintaining a commitment to scientific method and research, demonstrating one exciting way of many to engage with arts and sciences. In a world with limited support for curiosity-driven pursuits of science or art, Scarabic Serenades is an emissary of the natural and creative wonders that surround us. We hope you help us maximize its outreach potential and creative impact within the Missoula community and beyond.
Ways You Can Help
-
Donate at whatever level is possible for you. We have a variety of perks for all levels of donations, for people in the Missoula area and beyond.
-
Follow us to stay up to date and come to one of our events! You can follow us on social media or sign up for our mailing list to make sure you are the FIRST to know the details of any upcoming events.
-
Share this Indiegogo campaign, the project and events with people who might be interested. We have ways for people to be involved both in the Missoula area and outside of it!
-
Support our community partners. Visit the Insectarium, go to a dance or music performance at the University of Montana, check out one of the amazing artist talks or other community events hosted by OpenAIR.
-
Reach out - Something you’re excited about? Something you’d like to see or think we should include? Questions about the project or process? Let us know! We are trying to engage a broad audience and your feedback helps us see how we’re doing.