Diana's Virtual Tape

Recent Developments, Invitations, Reflections and Tidbits
NEW FILM!!! Rakont Mwa, Rekont Nou, Marclaine Antoine (Recount for me, Recount for us, Marclaine Antoine) is film collaboration between Diana Heise and Yannick Durhone that evokes the history of selected Mauritian instruments that are currently no longer in regular use. By valorizing these objects and recounting their significance through interviews with Marclaine Antoine, this project strives to preserve forms of cultural heritage in Mauritius for local and international audiences.  Screening at Institut Français de Maurice at 8.00pm, Dec 14, 2012.

NEW FILM!!!

Rakont Mwa, Rekont Nou, Marclaine Antoine (Recount for me, Recount for us, Marclaine Antoine) is film collaboration between Diana Heise and Yannick Durhone that evokes the history of selected Mauritian instruments that are currently no longer in regular use. By valorizing these objects and recounting their significance through interviews with Marclaine Antoine, this project strives to preserve forms of cultural heritage in Mauritius for local and international audiences. 

Screening at Institut Français de Maurice at 8.00pm, Dec 14, 2012.
And, of course, dessert. So, for those of you who know, I love pie. Apple, Peach, Boysenberry. Lemon chiffon, my signature christmas pie is at the top of the favorite list. This love of crust has cultivated a special fondness in my heart for T-day. But this year, I learned to make or at least assist lady Anjulee in a new form of sugary goodness. A Mauritian cake. Here is ‘Gato Koko’ for y’all. These delightful bundles of coconut and condensed milk pack perfect sweetness into a round bite-size ball. Pie will now need to share some room in my heart with the Gato.

And, of course, dessert. So, for those of you who know, I love pie. Apple, Peach, Boysenberry. Lemon chiffon, my signature christmas pie is at the top of the favorite list. This love of crust has cultivated a special fondness in my heart for T-day. But this year, I learned to make or at least assist lady Anjulee in a new form of sugary goodness. A Mauritian cake. Here is ‘Gato Koko’ for y’all. These delightful bundles of coconut and condensed milk pack perfect sweetness into a round bite-size ball. Pie will now need to share some room in my heart with the Gato.

VOTE!

EEEEEEE!!!  i voted today!

I love voting. I was an election judge in 2008 too because I love the voting.

First, a few weeks ago, I requested my absentee ballot, noticing that there is an option to vote by fax or email (intriguing).

Then, I received an email with a request to access a very secure site. I downloaded my ballot from here.

I took my files two days ago to the print shop in Bambous for hard copies.

This morning, I carefully did my election research, fully filled the designated bubbles, made images of the ballot and emailed it back to the election people in Kansas City, entitled VOTED BALLOT.

Not secret, true, but I read somewhere that they would be very protective.

And they will email me with a confirmation. Honestly, I just like knowing it is there.

Now I’m heading to Port Louis to hand the package of papers over the embassy for mailing.

Love voting. 

DGAU 5: today

Up today at 6am after curiously clairvoyant dreams.
High levels of tea consumption commence.

I began editing the Ravann film today.
Yes, today is the day.
We finished shooting in July
but i needed some time to let the sensation of the shoot settle.
It was one of those shoots where all else fades away but the focus on the action at hand,
and upon returning,
all is fresh and vivid and vaguely foreign.
James picked us sugar cane after that shoot,
my first taste of it.  
I remember happily munching with Marousia as we meandered back to the house for tea,
mildly delirious.
When my shoulders get tired,
I sing.
I practice 400 Kanon and Bel Bato
among other songs I have been learned for singing at Le Sapin.
(documentation is forthcoming due to the supportive encouragement of my dear friend Beau)
Sapin is the ‘culture club’ where I listen to live music
watch Mauritian films
have rehearsal
practice Kreol
drink rum punch and hang out after closing hours with friends.
I’ll go tonight for Cine-Club.
Today I also placed my ravann outside to warm up when the sun reached the balcony.
The heat tightens the goat skin 
so that the drum is taut when struck.
I practice when I can’t sit in front of the computer anymore.
Like just a moment ago.
Stefan taught me a new way to hit with the palm of my hand on saturday at ABAIM.
Hard, but today I can finally do it.
Back to editing
before a visit when my ayurvedic healer, yoga and dinner at Anjulee’s later today.
A very good today, I will say.
A gift from a dream, at that.

Le Souffleur for you   which translates to the Whistler  accounting for the sound as the sea crashes into the basalt shore soaring at times 40 feet into the air.  Nothing between this point and Antarctica. 

Le Souffleur for you  
which translates to the Whistler 
accounting for the sound as the sea crashes into the basalt shore
soaring at times 40 feet into the air. 
Nothing between this point and Antarctica. 

DGAU 4: ABAIM

Dear Friends,

I promised you some words last time about my experience with ABAIM.
I have so many words but here are a few.

First of all, for my non-Mauritians friends

ABAIM is a musical group
with more than 30 members
almost 30 years old
with 10 albums. 



These albums,
some of which come with books,
some of the only books in the country written in Kreol,
advocate for multi-linguialism while supporting the mother tongue languages.



One of the next books will be a manual on playing ravann
as ABAIM has also been a drum school for years.

Girls learn to play too
which was unheard of 30 years ago.
We all know I would like the sound of that.


On Saturdays
more than 50 children from throughout the island come.
Songs and traditional games are taught, 
democratic assembly meetings are held where children recount news of the week
ranging from birthdays, lost cell phones, reading about suicide in the newspaper to comments on the Syrian crisis.
All in between singing.


As for me,
I remember the first day that I came.
It was April and I had been here a month. 
I arrived late on a saturday after my Kreol class and getting lost off of Royal Road.
I drove up to the government school
walking into the courtyards,
wet concrete from recent rain.

Rehearsal was over and it was play time.
I found myself in the middle of a running game but not swift enough to play well.
Instead little people arms wrapped around my waist as they asked
‘what is your name?’
I answered, ‘Mwa, mo apel Diana’
My first Kreol phrase.
They chattered and hugged me, telling me I’m their mother or sister.
Jake asked for my last name to befriend me on facebook.
Anais spoke slowly in French,
telling me of her musician father who works in the tourist industry and her dream to open a dance studio for Séga.

Listening games next
Everyone stands in three long lines, tuned into the story.
You turn when you hear the right word
limon, koko, banann, leksi
lemon, coconut, banana, litchi.
if not, you are out.
 
I played the second round.
Kelly tells the tale with swift pace as we giggle and wait with anticipation.
She started with ABAIM when she was small
but she was returning to university in France the next day.

I felt different when I left that Saturday.
I had experienced something that I hadn’t seen before with such profound clarity.
Of course I have witnessed and heard of structures like ABAIM and believed in them.
But this one is quite special.
 
Beyond the stack of cassette tapes and song books,
it is the infectious open look in both the children and the adult’s eyes.
Strong and loving
Nothing forced
 


I think it’s the music
I think it’s the dance
I think it’s the community
I think it’s the stories
I think it gives one something to hold onto and nurture
And it so clearly is working
And I have been going back every week since. 

One day Alain and Marousia asked if I could bring my camera along
as they were starting a new project to construct a ravann in the traditional manner
with James, Kelly and Ketty’s father.

The project has since exploded into a film
mapping the process of fabrication 
from chopping down the tree



to preparing the goat skin


as well as telling the story of this instrument with its roots from the time of slavery.


For National Music Day
(by the way American government, doesn’t that sound like a good idea.)
we had a music party and exhibition of photographs from the Ravann project.
People told us,
even musicians who play ravann,
that they did not know this story before and they are happy to have this history now.



And lucky me, I get to sing with the band now too.



There is more.
Much more
as my adventure has pulled in so many beautiful directions.

And I promise more soon.
But as for now, I’m off to an archeological dig!


Biz (kisses in Kreol) for y’all.
Diana

DGAU 3: i live here


 

It is official
I live here
Bank, Buses, Food, Phone




Residence permit examination 
Car purchase
Left side driving with a Bollywood soundtrack




The last three weeks have been similar to a treasure hunt
I show up
The next door opens
I show up again
More




Satyendra to Le Morne
Krishna to Tritonik to Virginie
Diana to Stéphan and Yannick
Le Sapin

Ledikasyon Pu Travayer to Lindsey Collen
Harry and Scout to Natalia
Jean-Clément connects to Marousia and Alain
ABAIM




The ‘invisible hand of guidance’
as Alain says.
So I have stopped planning as it seems
the wild wonders of being alive is better experienced without an agenda

Instead
so i can talk with people
Mo pe aprenn Kreol ek mo kapav koz en tigit
(I am learning Kreol and can speak a little)
et
je pratique mon français aussi



I am learning to sing Kreol songs and play the Ravann
I go to ABAIM rehearsals
(more soon of my experiences with this profound organization)




I go to events and moonlit musical soirées on the beach
I have a piece in a show at the Institut Français de Maurice in July
I chat with the ladies at the pastry shop in Kreol and French
I say good morning to the Indian Ocean every day



I get lost
and then i find something new.


xox, Diana

 


Diana’s Gypsy Adventure Update 2: Visions

Good morning from my perch in Mauritius!

 

With tea, fresh bread and a strong breeze,

I bring you my latest report from the village of Flic en Flac.

 

It rained for most of the second week after I arrived.

Flooding rain that takes down trees

and squatter villages.

In between storms, I would go for walks to collect things,

getting visually acquainted.

 

First,

The way to the pastry shop

(as always, a priority on my list…)

Trees.

Pine, Pomegranate and Palm


A cactus security fence


This branch came from a fallen Baobab,

known as a symbol of peace

and non violence,

downed by the deluge in Port Louis.


Newspapers.

 

To practice French

a skill that needs to be in working order for the research

and to make friends

(another two important priorities)


Seeds.

 

Mr. Roy calls this one a ‘wild plant’

a twisting vine that I found on the cliff path

that hovers by the sea

 

I have been reading about plant-based healing traditions

tinctured from wilderness vegetation

and grown in kitchen gardens

Much to learn from the wisdom of traditional medicine here


And Food.

(of course)

 

Dragon Fruit

Hard to go wrong with a name like that

Fushia flesh and tongue burning sweet


Still making things everyday

Meeting people

Music

Books

Kreol

Wedding sari shopping

Art openings

 

More soon.

With the storms lifted, it is full force over here.

 

Sending you Indian Ocean sunlight and Wild Plant embraces,

Diana


ps.

if you would like to know more about my current project,

FreeForm,

which is the purpose of my expedition to Mauritius,

please click here.

Diana’s Gypsy Adventure Update 1: Touch down in Mauritius

DGAU1:  Touch down in Mauritius

After receiving a warm letter of congratulations on the Fulbright from my absolute favorite senator, Bernie Sanders (lord, I love being a Vermonter)

and taking a bath with Rebecca Solnit’s A Field Guide to Getting Lost, which is the perfect send-off into the unknown,

the caravan of family, best friend and dear puppy made its way to JFK
and to the smoothest sequences of plane travel I have experienced in years.

South African Air, my dears.  
Take it.

The people were so kind
they give you orange socks (my favorite color)
AND
the food is amazing. (i kid you not. Their lamb business was a delight for the taste buds, and I did not take plane ‘meditation.’)

Watching the sunrise over Botswana
and gazing at the brown meandering rivers of Madagascar

I made my way to the isle for which I have been researching and dreaming of for 3 years,

Mauritius.

Extinct volcanic peaks,
sea-aired with dense population at its core
Plumed with color streaked birds and macaque monkeys.

My six languages fluent landlord refers to the view in front of the apartment as the edge of the world. I can feel the vastness working on me already.

Strategically selected objects have been unpacked
and transition is in full swing as I melt into Mauritian time.

I make things every day.
I eat pastries every day too.
I speak French when i can.
I walk.
I try not to think too much.
I talk with people.
I swim.


I need to speak more french.
I need to buy a car. 
I need to eat more.


My health hasn’t been this good in years.
My hair is loving it here. Curls.
My apartment is magnificent, filled with the murmurs of 
my French neighbors and crashing waves on the shore.
My sleep is still strange from the jet lag, but after months of insomnia,
my resilience is high.


More soon, my dears. 
More unknown to leap into.

This is my world at the moment.  The UPS man has learned Parker’s name. Box cutter comes out today and the suitcase packing begins.  5 days.  5 days to take off. Now, it is starting to dawn on me.

This is my world at the moment.  The UPS man has learned Parker’s name. Box cutter comes out today and the suitcase packing begins.  5 days.  5 days to take off. Now, it is starting to dawn on me.