IU artist, professor performs work locally

Picking a favorite art form might be simple for some, but IU professor Bronislava Volkova prefers to collaborate and combine multiple aspects of art. Her concept of blending artistic platforms led to the creation of a 2003 multimedia extravaganza titled "Entering Light," in which Volkova shared her poetry while simultaneously incorporating dance, music and art.\nAfter the success of her 2003 show, Volkova is back at it again in 2005 working with fellow Bloomington artists on their latest multi-media event, "Born Out of Darkness," which was preformed in the John Waldron Arts Center's Rose firebay room on Wednesday evening. Volkova, a Czechoslovakian native, exile poet and professor of Slavic languages and literature at IU, says although she mainly considers herself a poet, she also concentrates on collage art, artistic directing, and artistic collaboration. She recognized her passion of art and language at the age of nine. It was then she began writing poetry and learning different languages -- eventually becoming fluent in Russian, English, German, and Spanish -- in addition to her native tongues of Czech and Slovak.\nVolkova attended her primary and secondary schooling in Prague, and received her masters in Spanish and Russian. She described her college experience as "a fascinating education." Her college career took place during the height of communism and Volkova was asked on numerous occasions to join the party. \n"You could collaborate, or expect to be a taxi driver," she said. \nMost people complied, she said, but Volkova refused to participate -- and left Czechoslovakia soon after receiving a doctorate in Slavic and general linguistics in 1970. For leaving her communist country, Volkova was exiled for 15 years. She immigrated to the United States in 1976 due to a "combination of political exile and a job." In 1982 she began her work at IU as a visiting professor. By 1987 she had written her first book in the area of linguistics and semiotics called "Emotive Signs in Language." It wasn't until 1997 that she published her next book, "A Feminist's Semiotic Odyssey Through Czech Literature."\nIn addition to her books, Volkova has been published in journals, done poetry readings, and given multimedia performances, which she calls her "newest venue." \n"When you have creative energy and once you have produced something, you want to share it with someone else," she said. \nAlthough Wednesday's multi-media event primarily focused on the poetry of Volkova, it also included collage work that she created.\n"I started doing collages intensely in 2000," she said.\nThe collages acted as the background not only for Volkova, but also for the dancers and musician involved. Bloomington artists notably contributing to this production include choreographer Scott Jones and pianist Hakan Toker. Jones, a dance performer in the 2003 event, choreographed this year's dance group from Windfall. Jones is a local freelance artist, costume designer, choreographer and was formally a benefit coordinator and a member of the Windfall board of trustees.\n"The evening is first and foremost a poetry reading, but it is also an event in which art forms can complement one another," Jones said.\nJones and Volkova were introduced in 1997 by then -- Windfall director Steve Garnier who Volkova credits with introducing her to the idea of a multimedia event. Jones and Volkova have been collaborating ever since. When Toker was added to the mix, the three became a dynamic trio.\n"Once we started collaborating, we began to understand each other -- we have a very good flow of energy. We have a nice give and take," Jones said.\nToker, a Turkish born pianist, is a local composer-improviser and IU graduate. He currently plays in a Middle Eastern band called Salaam, and also gives solo performances, in what he calls "audience interactive, cross-cultural, improvisational piano recitals." Although classically trained, Toker often likes to play jazz and central Asian music, as well as experimental improvisation.\nDescribing his role in the multi-media performance, Toker said, "My job is to under-paint the atmosphere without getting ahead of it."\nHe described the positive impact this type of collaboration has on his artistry.\n"Working with other artists is a good healthy challenge that will surely benefit me in my solo performances," he said.\n"Born out of Darkness" will be performing tonight at 8 p.m. in the Rose Firebay Room of the John Waldron Arts Center. Tickets are $5.\nThis group will also be performing June 17th at the Indiana Arts Center in Broad Ripple. For more information on this or any other upcoming performances contact: 339-3618.