During the pandemic (2020-2022) when performances and creative residencies were cancelled, and so much more came to an abrupt halt, Edisa began developing four zines about the Roots Parties and “3 RITES”. The zines are an art project, are 5x7 in size, and assembled by hand into an accordion fold. What is beautiful about accordion folds is they are tactile, they move, they breath, and require the reader to interact with them. Each zine takes 45 min. to make.
The zines include photos, sketches, and writing by Thomas DeFrantz (Happiness), Jasmine Johnson (Roots Party), James Scruggs (Life), and Roots Party participants responses to the question: "Liberty Is...."
An important aspect of Edisa's work is the giving of a gift to the audience, which can be in the form of a meal or memento that makes tangible the ephemerality of the performance experience. The 3 RITES zines are a physical keepsake connected to the Roots Parties and performance rituals about life, liberty and happiness.
Note: The Happiness Zine and Liberty Zine are in development.
The writing and publication of the 3 RITES Zines are made possible by the National Performance Network (NPN) Documentation & Storytelling Initiative. For more information: www.npnweb.org; the Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography at Florida State University through a Spring 2020 MANCC residency and Embedded Writer and Commissioning Programs, funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; and additional support from Creative Capital, the Durst Organization, and the Harkness Foundation for Dance. 3 RITES ZINES Concept: Edisa Weeks Creative Producer: Marýa Wethers Graphic Design: Natalia Viteri Writing Editor: Nina Angela Mercer Community Engagement Coordinator: Rebecca Fitton (2017-2021), Maya Simone Z. (2021 – 2023) Printing: Smart Press Copyright: Edisa Weeks/DELIRIOUS Dances