This body of sculptures was funded in part by a 2021 grant from the Five Wings Arts Council with funds provided by the McKnight Foundation. Also, Tiffany Besonen is a fiscal years 2021 and 2022 recipient of a Creative Support for Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature.

I am especially fascinated with how sculpture, dance, and film move through real space, and can help us rise above or make sense of chaos. Recently, I am working on a series of five to seven foot tall abstracted, mixed-media “guardian” forms by finger looping raffia over branch and wire armature. Half of these forms are serene and angelic and the other half are feral and animated. All of the recent forms serve as guides and guardians for the heroine in the short film RISING.

RISING features the collaboration of Minnesota artists: sculptures and film direction by Tiffany Besonen, directing consultation by Julie Kjenaas, original musical score by Damian D. Anderson, choreography by Anika Campbell, dance by Anika Campbell, Emily Bradt, and Autumn Moe, videography and editing by Rob Whiteside.

RISING, a 9 minute short film, follows a heroine’s journey from isolation in the woods into exploring a mysterious place where she battles obstacles and finds self-empowerment. Below is the trailer.