doulas — Rhizome DC

In December 2020, Rhizome put out a call for participants in an Art Doulas project, asking for volunteers to provide a prompt to an artist or musician to be used as inspiration for a work of art or music. The concept was that artists and musicians serve as ‘doulas’ by giving voice to the feelings of the ‘prompters’, who may not have access to the same artistic tools. The idea was inspired by the Telephone exercise, the Disquiet Junto, and Naviar Haiku.

We have compiled results in a virtual gallery space that you can explore at any time, here. (Use the arrow keys to move your avatar around; press x to interact with any particular piece.) (Currently a work in progress.)

You can also check out individual projects below. (Feel free to follow the links as some of the artists have provided information about their processes etc.) There is a lot to explore! Enjoy!

Audio by Angela Winter in response to the prompt A small arched door, blue in color, made of wood. When opened, what’s behind? It’s down at the corner of a building on a busy street, almost no one notices it.

Audio by Brian Parrish in response to the prompt I don't want to be myself anymore, I want to be me.

Audio by Carlos Banda Montes in response to this image by JS Adams

Audio by Erin Frisby in response to the prompt The unseen triumphant/The unseen resurgent

Audio by Johnny Abes in response to the prompt Where can the sea bathe unashamed, without green eyes of moonlight haunting her

Audio by Kristin Stowell in response to this image by JS Adams

Audio by Lex dV in response to the prompt FULL POWER TO THE VOID

Audio by Pedro Gonzalez-Fernandez in response to the prompt Forgotten in the storm: values that are forgotten in times of hardship. The things we claim we care about that get swept away when we have more important things to come to top priority, like a war or pandemic

Audio by Public Figures in response to the prompt Forgotten in the storm: values that are forgotten in times of hardship. The things we claim we care about that get swept away when we have more important things to come to top priority, like a war or pandemic

Audio by Stephanie Thornton in response to the prompt Nothing hurts like the "almost"

Audio by Stevie Dubs in response to the prompt The unseen triumphant/The unseen resurgent

Audio by THAT CLOUD in response to the prompt where can the sea bathe unashamed, without green eyes of moonlight haunting her

Audio by Vitamin Dee in response to the prompt I think im sick I can't identify pains, so i panic Ive monetized my Instagram hobby, so now i worry again about what i post, how i post, the reach, the uniqueness I feel like im not creating enough. I feel like what i do create is not good enough. I feel like nothing i do is good enough. Nothing i try is good enough. I am not good enough. I am not enough I am genuinely afraid of doing anything

Audio by William McKenna in response to the prompt A small arched door, blue in color, made of wood. When opened, what’s behind? It’s down at the corner of a building on a busy street, almost no one notices it.

The Act of Questioning - video from Corina Dalzell in response to the prompt: What is the meaning of the act of questioning?

Piano Dream - video from Doug Kallmeyer in response to the prompt: Watching my father play piano in a dream. Then waking and remembering he's been dead for 20 years.

Video from Joe Ciccarello in response to the prompt: A trophy that says "you have been selected"

Video by Kara Turner in response to the prompt: I think im sick I can't identify pains, so i panic Ive monetized my Instagram hobby, so now i worry again about what i post, how i post, the reach, the uniqueness I feel like im not creating enough. I feel like what i do create is not good enough. I feel like nothing i do is good enough. Nothing i try is good enough. I am not good enough. I am not enough I am genuinely afraid of doing anything

Sculpture by Nate Scheible in response to the prompt: A trophy that says "you have been selected"

Video by Stephen Donoway in response to the prompt The irregularity of change in washington dc - Please be advised there is some potentially disturbing content

Video by Yeeve Rayne in response to the prompt I don't want to be myself anymore, I want to be me.

Artwork by Jessi Binder, in response to the prompt: Watching my father play piano in a dream. Then waking and remembering he's been dead for 20 years.

Artwork by Julia Licholai, in response to the prompt: The irregularity of change in washington dc

Sculpture by Nate Scheible in response to the prompt: A trophy that says "you have been selected"

Artwork by Sarah Burford, in response to the prompt: Nothing hurts like the "almost"
Collage on paper, 2021
8 x 10 in.
This piece is inspired by the elusive nature of childhood memories, both painful and joyful; sometimes searing, sometimes lost to us. It incorporates archival photographs and magazine imagery.

Artwork by Taylor Quinn, in response to the prompt: what do you fully believe right now without question? Question it until you don't believe it anymore. Believe you can change your belief without question.