Episodes

  • The Revenge of Artemisia Gentileschi
    Sep 2 2024

    In this third episode of Wild Women, listeners are invited into the visceral work of Italian Baroque painter Artemisia Gentileschi and considered one of the most accomplished 17th century artists. Her painting, "Judith and Her Maidservant" ignites a violent and visceral reaction in the viewer, as Judith saws the neck of the general of the Assyrian army -- in this act she saves her people, the people of Bethulia. As Martha and Coleen finally connect and magically find themselves in Italy, they begin to reckon with the current state of the world, Artemisia's incredible conviction and attention to detail and begin to question whether art can be a form of revenge.

    Trigger Warning: Sexual Assault

    Concept by Martha Ross and Coleen MacPherson
    Written and Performed by Martha Ross and Coleen Shirin MacPherson
    Guest Performer Margherita Abozzo
    Original Music by Michel Laforge
    Theme Music by Mitchell Akiyama
    Sound Design / Editing by Michel Laforge

    Special thanks to Susan Vreeland who wrote "The Passion of Artemisia" that inspired our work. Thanks to Leah Cherniak, Theresa Graham, Julia Lederer, Juliana Spínola and Alix Sideris for your raw and visceral reactions to the painting. This podcast was made possible by the Digital Now Grant through the Canada Council.

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    27 mins
  • Through the Window
    Jan 20 2022

    In this second episode of Wild Women, listeners are invited into the magical realism of German-Canadian painter, Christiane Pflug. Her painting, Kitchen Door With Esther ignites childhood memories, taking the listeners from an isolated kitchen to a wilderness within reach. We journey to the Toronto ravines, to the vault of the AGO and find the trees are speaking …

    Concept by Martha Ross
    Written and Performed by Martha Ross and Coleen Shirin MacPherson
    Original Music by Amy Nostbakken
    Theme Music by Mitchell Akiyama
    Sound Design / Editing by Christopher Ross Ewart
    Sound Engineering by John Millard

    Special thanks to the AGO and Georgiana Uhlyarik and to countless individuals who helped us along the way. To Vivian Meyer and Elizabeth Martin who co-wrote ‘Female Gazes’ where we first learned about Christiane Pflug; thank you Ann Davis for her relentless work, to Ursula and Esther Pflug.. This podcast was made possible by the Digital Now Grant through the Canada Council.



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    34 mins
  • The Underworld
    Jan 21 2021

    A surreal audio-drama

    In this first episode, two theatre makers find themselves grappling with their obsession with Leonora Carrington, the English-Mexican painter and writer whose incredible life and work has influenced many. Their obsession transforms as they chat with writer Heidi Sopinka, and begin to fall into Carrington’s paintings, a world that is strange, animalistic, mythological and absurd.

    A sonic experience that is humorous and touching; wild and alive.

    If you like this episode and want us to make more ... think about donating if you can, or send us a message and let us know what you
    thought!

    Donate at: http://www.openheartsurgerytheatre.com/donate-1

    Created by Coleen Shirin MacPherson, Martha Ross, performances by Yearime Castel Barragan
    Sound Design by Christopher Ross-Ewart
    Original Music Composition by Mitchell Akiyama

    Thanks to the Canada Council for the Arts, Digital Originals Grant and Digital Now Grant and to everyone who have helped shaped this work!

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    30 mins