XENIA
XENIA
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Residency dates

17th July – 3rd August 2022

Dean Moss

Artist images

Residency images

Testimonial

“Back where I come from there are [wo]men who do nothing all day but good deeds. They’re called uh…uh… “Good Deed Doers”, and their hearts are no bigger than yours. But they have one thing you haven’t got… a Testimonial. Therefore: “In consideration of your kindness I take pleasure in presenting you with a small token of our esteem and affection”… and remember my sentimental friend, a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others.” — The Wizard of Oz.

Rather than the tick-tock token of a heart clock, please allow me to offer another kind of testimonial. To be sure Xenia Creative Retreat is a fantastic residency. I and my collaborator Sawami had a very productive four weeks absorbed in its emerald reflections. We shot 3.5 TB of media while there, maxing out all my available storage, and I’ve returned to Brooklyn with literally an overwhelming wealth of digital footage to work from. The reason for this success was I think due to three things: the generosity of the circumstance, the openness of the space, and the privacy to explore it.
Human generosity is often a fickle thing, and suspending judgement is a skill needing constant refinement. I think this is doubly true for someone who takes the hosting of artists into their own homes. Thank you Bianca for so gracefully rising to this difficult challenge in the general conception of the retreat, and in specifically allowing us full access to the grounds, even to the interior of your beautiful house. It significantly expanded what we imagined we could do. 
Similarly expansive was just the fact of this rolling countryside estate. From sunrise to golden hour, we filmed in nature’s inspirational realm, where around every bend was a surprise or a spectacle. Late in our stay I noticed that the power lines that slashed across the distant countryside went underground at the edges of the estate. It was extremely comforting to know the aesthetic experience of the view was so valued, that you had the lines buried to preserve the pleasure. Thank you. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that sense of care.
A care that was extended to your resident artists through your respect for their practices and privacy. I can’t lie: when I first saw the architecturally lovely, purpose built studio space, I was blown away. Yet I also thought how it could easily be considered an “artist terrarium”, where we could be presented ‘in situ’ like a living diorama. ;)  But due to your and your (warm and absolutely amazing) staff’s sensitivity and respect, that thought never re-occurred.  It is often said that all artists really need is space and time, but I would counter that the privacy to explore, without explanation or judgement, is equally important. 
All said, the Xenia Creative Retreat is really an artist’s wonderland residency. A place where the fantastic can occur. A place to feel carefully yet securely supported through the destabilizing circumstance of making art. Thank you Bianca for the opportunity to experience the genuine luxury of open space, both inside and out. It’s rare to feel so loved.
- Dean Moss

 

 

Bio

Born

1954
USA

Education

1977
Arts and Sciences
Tacoma Community College, Washington

Residency dates

17th July – 3rd August 2022

Dean Moss

Artist images

Residency images

Testimonial

“Back where I come from there are [wo]men who do nothing all day but good deeds. They’re called uh…uh… “Good Deed Doers”, and their hearts are no bigger than yours. But they have one thing you haven’t got… a Testimonial. Therefore: “In consideration of your kindness I take pleasure in presenting you with a small token of our esteem and affection”… and remember my sentimental friend, a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others.” — The Wizard of Oz.

Rather than the tick-tock token of a heart clock, please allow me to offer another kind of testimonial. To be sure Xenia Creative Retreat is a fantastic residency. I and my collaborator Sawami had a very productive four weeks absorbed in its emerald reflections. We shot 3.5 TB of media while there, maxing out all my available storage, and I’ve returned to Brooklyn with literally an overwhelming wealth of digital footage to work from. The reason for this success was I think due to three things: the generosity of the circumstance, the openness of the space, and the privacy to explore it.
Human generosity is often a fickle thing, and suspending judgement is a skill needing constant refinement. I think this is doubly true for someone who takes the hosting of artists into their own homes. Thank you Bianca for so gracefully rising to this difficult challenge in the general conception of the retreat, and in specifically allowing us full access to the grounds, even to the interior of your beautiful house. It significantly expanded what we imagined we could do. 
Similarly expansive was just the fact of this rolling countryside estate. From sunrise to golden hour, we filmed in nature’s inspirational realm, where around every bend was a surprise or a spectacle. Late in our stay I noticed that the power lines that slashed across the distant countryside went underground at the edges of the estate. It was extremely comforting to know the aesthetic experience of the view was so valued, that you had the lines buried to preserve the pleasure. Thank you. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that sense of care.
A care that was extended to your resident artists through your respect for their practices and privacy. I can’t lie: when I first saw the architecturally lovely, purpose built studio space, I was blown away. Yet I also thought how it could easily be considered an “artist terrarium”, where we could be presented ‘in situ’ like a living diorama. ;)  But due to your and your (warm and absolutely amazing) staff’s sensitivity and respect, that thought never re-occurred.  It is often said that all artists really need is space and time, but I would counter that the privacy to explore, without explanation or judgement, is equally important. 
All said, the Xenia Creative Retreat is really an artist’s wonderland residency. A place where the fantastic can occur. A place to feel carefully yet securely supported through the destabilizing circumstance of making art. Thank you Bianca for the opportunity to experience the genuine luxury of open space, both inside and out. It’s rare to feel so loved.
- Dean Moss

 

 

Born

1954
USA

Education

1977
Arts and Sciences
Tacoma Community College, Washington