It was fantastic to spend the Well/Being season at Omnibus Theatre making dolls with the community.

We made 63 dolls together, 3 more than necessary to complete the display with a total of 211 dolls.

We did our ART INSTALLATION IMPROV PERFORMANCE again.

1. The story developed through different group of makers every evening.

2. Each group was a different act.

3. Each act is improvised as we never know how each group will play.

4. The last act was the last evening when the gap was finally completed.

5. Happy end. Black out.

Most of the makers were the audience members who came to watch the show but some of them came especially to make dolls.

It is great to have the chance to talk with strangers about an artistic experience you just had together. Some of the groups did this and enjoyed it a lot. I love that Dreams and a Heart is a catalyst of this experience.

Thank you so much Marie for invite us for another season and a huge thank you for Omnibus team, I love you guys, you are such an amazing group of people who make this space the coolest and cosier place to be in London.

 

 

 

                             

 

In the last two weeks at Omnibus the makers were Jane, Klari, Wensheue, Arti, Tim, Ciaran, Tash, Ellen, Cindy, Erman, Lotte, Mathieu, Rachael, Alison, Val, Luca, Robert, Erica, Sarah, Julian, Gabi, Sarah, Seb, Sophie and Paul. We made 24 dolls.

I always give a tip when they start the process  – to fill the body with dreams starting on feet, hands, head, arms and legs. I ask them to forget the middle part of the body until all extremities are full. What often happens is that they forget it and can’t reach hands and feet. This week a maker did exactly that and said ’We like to take short cuts to make our lives easier but it makes it more difficult.’  

In the last day godmother and Gabi came to help sewing dolls’ legs of previous makers. The dolls were so happy to see godmother first time at this season.

‘A lovely surprinzing moment in time when you least expect it to remember through dreams a very special person who is no longer in your life. A friend you thought you would share dreams forever, but it was not to be!’

‘An unexpected experience that begins in a very practical way/ activity and then leads to a meditative moment of quiet! Thank you!’ 

‘I enjoyed making the little figure come to life by filling her with my dreams.’

‘My little doll is important because I don’t who it is. I always want to know and see everything. With this doll I happily embraced not knowing. Who will appear in my life? A man? A child? Both? None? I don’t know but he/she will come. Beautiful not- knowing… Thank you little doll.’ 

‘It was an absolute delight to come across Regina and her dolls. Had a great time!’

‘I hope my dreams come true.’

‘I did not expect to spend such a long time on this table, such a peaceful and great moment, thank you!’

‘Bellissima experience! Moment of relax and peace.’

‘It was a wonderful and peaceful experience. I really enjoyed taking the time to do something so relaxing and creative. I look forward to seeing the finished result.’

‘When I was meditating I felt a very personal connection to my doll and its dreams. It was pleasant and felt warm to be in the moment with myself and the doll.’ 

‘A moving tribute to the dynamics of loss and love, grounding.’

‘What a wonderful experience. Regina has the most wonderful, soothing energy and it is a joy to be part of this project. I have walked away feeling very connected to all wonderful humans out there- Thank you Regina!’

‘A wonderful way to quiet the mind and escape the hustle and bustle of the city. It was a beautiful creative experience coached perfectly by Regina- thank you so much.’

Thank You everybody for these wonderful weeks at Omnibus. 

     
                                     
    

 
                

Last week I went to Omnibus five evenings from Wednesday to Sunday. The makers were Tony, Max, Peter, Pam, Mark, Laura, Leander, Suzanne, Sophie, Job, Xanthe, Daniel, Ali, Joel, Amanda, Phil, Gabriel, Jan, James, Suzanne, Beatrice, Gabi, Martha, Amelia, Diana and Alice. 

We made 26 dolls and some of them have names –  Laurence, Jack, Daniel and the ballerina Giselle. 

An unusual beautiful thing happened – five of the makers meditated together for 15 minutes, a long unexpected time. People usually meditate less than 5 minutes. 

‘Thank you for a wonderful peaceful time with you all!’

‘I hope the dreams make a contribution to world peace.’

‘Meditating with a new group of people was a life-giving experience. I felt tranquil and peaceful and hope loving kindness will come to all.’ 

‘A wonderful experience for a fantastic evening. Loved the exhibition.’ 

‘When Regina (I didn’t know her name then) asked me if I’d like to make a doll I was glad – I’ve seen her putting them up and been curious, she’d lost her printouts so explained to me the ‘Dream’ around the dolls – it’s love, it’s community, it’s inclusive Art + the small act of stuffing a little being + talking to Regina was a balm to the soul. Many thanks, One Love.’ 

‘Loved it! Very calming, thank you!’ 

‘The process of creating was therapeutic. Once made I was happy to add the figure to the collection to be part of the group.’ 

‘I will come back and sew Daniel, finish his leg. He is the focus of this, my doll, because it represents the person I most love in the world. My dream is that he is happy, and my heart is his heart.’ 

‘I applaud you for your accomplishments and your ever so admirable pursuit of peace through your dolls.’

‘Lovely to chat with you this evening Regina and to find out about what you are doing within the community here. Such a thoughtful and inspired way of bringing people together and connecting at an emotional level.’

On Sunday the wonderful young cellist Sheku, who played at Harry and Meghan wedding, performed with his brother, sister and two friends, all of them prodigious teenagers, what a privilege to be there, it was a brilliant concert!

Thank you so much everyone!

                                        

Friday 11th was our premier night at Omnibus Theatre Well/Being programme that runs till the 31st. 

I felt a bit less shy to introduce myself and invite people to make dolls, a bit but it helped a lot.

The makers were Kofi, Olivia, Theo, Pav and Ruth, we made 7 dolls.

On Saturday 12th Ross, Eva, Tabby, Spike, Max and Catherine came, we made 6 dolls.

Two wonderful things happened for the first time. Firstly two girls decided to feel each other’s pulse when they meditated. Secondly a girl put two hearts into her doll representing her actual heart and the future one she will have by a transplant. Both moments were so beautiful!!!

‘Thank you for believing in your dreams + inspiration. I applaud you for the courage to go forth into the world.’ 

‘Thank you for showing us that our dreams are closer than we think. We hope you reach 7 billion.’

I adore these workshops. Thank you so much for coming and bring your creative souls to the project. I am so grateful and inspired by unexpected moments like these, by our conversation sharing our unique experiences, incredible human beings we are.

               

               

 

We are thrilled to be back at Omnibus Theatre as part of the Well/Being programme that runs till the 31st January at Omnibus Theatre in London. 

Godmother is very busy at the moment then lovely Tony helped to install the dolls. We worked together on Thursday to fix the brackets on the wall. On Friday I put the ribbons, hanged 151 dolls and again left a gap to be completed by the community.

We are displayed differently at this time. There’s an arch on the wall, we are inside the arch. The dolls loved the space, it’s nice and cozy. 

Thank you so much Marie, Sarah, Tony, Seb, Shaun, Sofie and all the lovely staff at Omnibus, we are so happy to be back, it feels like home. 

     

Yesterday morning we disassembled the exhibition. Godmother Sarah – without her there would be no exhibition really – was there to help us, we are so so grateful, we love you godmother!

The dolls are now back to the suitcases, but our friend didn’t want to say good bye to them at all…

We lived a beautiful story – there was a gap to be filled in four weeks by the community. As soon as the gap was completed – the end of the story, black out. 

Usually an art work when completed is appreciated by the public for a certain period of time. 

It seems it was an art installation with a theatre/ performance soul, was it?