Omnibus Theatre last two weeks, London UK
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.
Meditation pics at Omnibus Theatre second week, London UK
Omnibus Theatre second week, London UK
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!
Omnibus Theatre first week, London UK
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.’
‘What an unexpected pleasure to meet Regina at the Omnibus Theatre and participate in her heart-felt artwork. There was something very restful and peaceful about being with her, as together we talked and created more people to add to ‘Dreams and a Heart’. It was moving to hold my little person with a hand on their ‘heart’ and connect with my own heartbeat, as Regina led a meditation. An inspired idea that she has followed with dedication – spreading Love and Peace throughout the world – thank you.’
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.
Omnibus Theatre January 2019 Exhibition, London UK
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.
Omnibus Theatre January 2019, London UK
Come and view some dolls beautifully displayed at Omnibus Theatre and make your own to add to this ongoing participatory artwork. With nearly 2000 dolls created so far, this exhibition is a celebration of all the work by Regina and her workshop participants over the last 7 years.
If you’d like to make dolls to add to the community, join Regina
every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evening 5-10pm
Saturday 12 and 19 January, 5 – 10pm
Sunday 20 January, 5 -10pm
If you have a group you’d like to bring, Regina can be available on several afternoons during the exhibition. Please message us here if you’d like to arrange a group visit.
There’s no need to book – just turn up. All welcome! Please check for last minutes changes or updates on our social media pages.
The dolls are on display whenever the Common Room is open. Regular opening hours are 10-6pm Monday – Saturday. The Common Room is also open in the evenings for audiences to shows, and live music events in the Common Room itself, so we recommend you check out what else is on and make the most of your visit to this wonderful venue.
Omnibus is wheelchair-accessible. If you have any other queries about the venue, please see the Omnibus website.
https://www.facebook.com/dreamsandaheart
11-31 Jan | Wed-Fri 5-10pm, Sat 12 & 19 5-10pm, Sun 20 5-10pm | Free
Dreams and a Heart is Regina Mendes’ long-running participatory artwork for peace. Each doll is filled with dreams and given a heart, before the maker completes a short mediation with the dolls, guided by the artist.
Regina’s dream is to make one doll for every human on the planet. Like the hope for peace, this seemingly impossible task happens slowly, gently, one heart at a time. You are invited to join Regina and make your own dolls to add to the growing community
With over 1800 dolls made over the last 7 years, this exhibition is a celebration of the work completed so far; sharing the first 700 and working towards our 2100th doll.
Regina will be on hand to help you add your doll to the collection 5-10pm Wednesday to Friday, Saturday 12 and 19 5-10pm and Sunday 20 5-10pm. You are welcome to view the exhibition any other time the Common Room is open.
Doll-making is free and open to all.
Detailed workshop times and more information about the project available at dreamsandaheart.com and on Facebook, Instagram and twitter @dreamsandaheart
Shakespeare’s Globe, London UK
We were at Shakespeare’s Globe last Friday to work on ‘Mothering and Making: What would support you to do both equally well?’
Mayou and I had a good conversation about our mothers and our daughters. She made one doll and started a second one. I fixed and finished one doll made another day by another maker. Some dolls have a sort of scar that happens when the fabric tears by accident and we fix it with some stitches. I feel it is like a reminder of our ‘imperfect’ humanity.
It was a brilliant D&D called by Matilda, director of Mothers Who Make. The project organises meetings all over the country for mothers who are artists to be encouraged to express their art. Thank you Matilda for opening the space for us.
Every time a mother is happy the world is saved.
101 Outdoor Arts Creation Space, Newbury, UK
On 8th November we went to Newbury at 101 Outdoor Arts. The space is amazing, it’s huge! Also huge gorgeous animals around us, I loved them!
The makers were Libby, Mel, Rose, Catherine, Katie, Ailin, Hannah, Lorna, Amy, Olivia, Simon and a couple of people I didn’t get the names. We made 14 dolls, some I’ll finish myself.
Some makers took their dolls to other sessions, some finished them at the closing big circle and we meditated together after it.
I forgot to ask most people to write their comments, here are few of them:
‘Both therapeutic and relaxing with a beautiful concept at its heart.’
‘A beautiful exchange of words and thoughts. Thank you.’
‘Really lovely and touching, I felt very connected doing this in a group, provoking conversations you wouldn’t normally have.’
Thanks Nick, Sarah and Olivia for holding the space for us and thank you so much all the makers who joined us in this wonderful space.
2018 Cufos Community Centre, London UK
In 2018 Nicola, Fiona and Flavia came in four sessions at Cufos Community Centre in London.
We made 23 dolls together.
I cancelled almost half of the yearly sessions because I was running workshops abroad in Iceland, Lisbon and Brazil and also at the exhibition in London.
I made dolls on my own in one session, the band was playing next door, they were sad that I was alone but actually I didn’t feel lonely, they were there and it was lovely.
It was our fourth year at Cufos.
