People probably haven't fathomed what this is all about. Performance artists are often driven by passion, and act upon ideas before they apply a filter. Therefore, we get absurdity in the guise of importance. Absurdity IS important. It is the way we are, and those who fight against it are absurd. I said, "All I want is a reasonable dinner in a small town for my 50th Birthday." I asked for support. I sold my brand new Mac and studio speakers (this was my way of making music). I said, Tom, I don't need to make music right now. I need to go to Noma. I need to be in the sphere of Hamlet's castle. I need to ride on that carousel in Tivoli Gardens. What I have learned so far. I have never needed money to be friends with anyone. But interestingly enough, most of the very few who have supported this work are either folks who know me and just want to see some weird shit, or people who have no idea who I am and they gave because they feel an empathy. Many are not at all wealthy--those people have given the most. One of my donations was from someone who I don't know and they contributed one penny. Was that a gesture of insult, or honor? People are mad. Mad, means food the Danish language. I am Mad. I tried to tell people, "Anything that is made needs money." Somehow, if you are asking for money to accomplish something personal, it upends people. They get pissed. And I argue, "If you want to make a play, or a piece of music, or a movie, or a public sculpture, you need money." People ask for money to make their projects. And first, it is their passion. Then, it is a matter of--could this thing make money? I do not think that way, but most do. Operation Copenhagen has 83% of its intended goal of $5,000. And the plane leaves tomorrow--Friday the 25th of September. Dinner at Noma is on the 29th, at the most influential restaurant in the world, and that would be a journey to the singular energy of one Chef Rene Redzepi. Except no one man makes the mountain. His companions, friends, associates all come together in the manifesting of a dream, a Mad dream. He is the best at what he does. How could I not go? I have no choice but to experience some taste of a passion warrior. On Sunday, there is a Red Moon rising, and I will be in Copenhagen. I would like to be there having achieved what I set out to do, and that is succeed in this journey by 100%. I am doing a demonstration project in this piece: Show people that it "Can't Be Done. Doing It Anyway!" Showing people that if they passionately believe and are willing to go ALL IN, their friends will help them achieve their dreams. Just for the fuck of it. Because we know that in doing so, in helping our friends, we know we will be there for them too. And we all have dreams. Our official Copenhagen Coordinator, Kim Chalmers is already in Berlin. She is scouting out the intricate plans that will be Operation Copenhagen. Our team includes Robert Young (my partner), and Michael Bobbitt, our most artistic and adventurous friend. You will be experiencing a vicarious connection to this adventure. If you follow up and read each post, you will be infused with an energy that will turn your longings into action. Because we are doing a demonstration. Nobody has any business traveling to the other side of the world to eat in the most influential restaurant in contemporary history. But you know what? WE'RE DOING IT ANYWAY! Because it is the dream. There is something profound to be mined from this excursion for each of us. For me, it is about confronting fears, breaking down barriers, opening doors, not settling for convention, education, and as Chef Rene Redzepi says; the preserving of a sense of place and a moment in time. I hope you will join me and contribute to the cause, and share in the experience, and then make your own dream manifest into reality. And when you are ready to try your dream, I will do all I can to help you. --TM |
Tom Miller
Performance Artist, Actor, Musician, Poet, Painter, Dreamer Archives
June 2016
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