Celandine
An Exercise in Social Dreaming
Celandine, meaning “joys to come” in the language of flowers, explores the transition from a busy life led by superficial desires (the Past), to a sudden absence of these structures in a time of isolation and questioning (the Present). The third section (the Future) represents a call to reconnect with nature, guided by a sense of community and transience. We have been sending polluted noise out into the world for so long, it is now time to pause, listen, and react to the music the environment is trying to relay to us, and imagine a joyful, hopeful future. With music by Ryan Henwood and poetry by Claire Bennet.
Find the full text of Claire's poems below.
Claire Bennet is a writer and poet based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She has a BA Hons. in English and Creative Writing from Dalhousie University, and earned the University Medal in Creative Writing upon graduating in 2019. She has had short fiction and poetry printed in Fathom and The Coast, and in 2017 won the Varma Prize in Gothic Literature.
Ryan Henwood is a Halifax-based composer, conductor, arts administrator and choral singer. Ryan is currently the principal conductor of Polaris and the Program Coordinator at the Nova Scotia Choral Federation. Ryan graduated from Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Music in Composition in the Spring of 2017 and was the recipient of the University Medal in Music.
Ryan Henwood is a Halifax-based composer, conductor, arts administrator and choral singer. Ryan is currently the principal conductor of Polaris and the Program Coordinator at the Nova Scotia Choral Federation. Ryan graduated from Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Music in Composition in the Spring of 2017 and was the recipient of the University Medal in Music.
Celandine is presented as part of Nocturne: Art at Night Festival running from October 12th - October 17th, 2020.
Thanks to all artists involved, including Tim Mombourquette and the members of Polaris.
Choirs for Change wishes to acknowledge support for this project from the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture, and Heritage.
Thanks to all artists involved, including Tim Mombourquette and the members of Polaris.
Choirs for Change wishes to acknowledge support for this project from the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture, and Heritage.