ONE NIGHT
Celebration of a Goddess on Newark Avenue
This project is presented as part of the SMUSH Gallery’s Summer 2020 Arts Residency Program
this series is inspired by the annual Navratri festival, a celebration of the Hindu goddess Durga in honor of the divine feminine and takes place in Journal Square, Jersey City footsteps away from SMUSH Gallery. the dance festival, symbolizing the power of storytelling and movement, occurs on Newark Avenue no earlier than 10 p.m. for several nights every fall season. this series depicts one such night.
the streets shimmer
and the roof is lit
bow to the goddess
in the temple
adjacent
to the storefront
awaiting, waiting
to join a circle
of dancers
grandma
in the middle
greet an old friend
say hello
to your own abandon
beauty transfixed
in Mithaas
two lenghas gossip
boy receding
at midnight
from a bobbing crowd
CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL PHILADELPHIA (2010)
DANCERS
OAXACA, MEXICO (2016)
INDIA (1994-2014)
anisa rahim 