As many of you know, back in 2007-2009 I created serial puppet play called Concrete Folk Variations, a three-part murder mystery set in the lesbian haunts of 1940's Los Angeles. The story revolves around a laconic figure named Loretta Salt. Salt is a reluctant investigator into the murder of a society maven who is also well known in lesbian circles as a flamboyant sugar daddy. Salt's investigation uncovers disturbing conspiracies in the LAPD and leads to revelations about her own departed lover, Luanne.
This is a classic noir narrative in which the hardened, handsome detective just happens to be a gray-haired, butch lesbian quietly bearing the weight of the devastating loss. All of us creating the show and you who came back repeatedly became seriously attached to the characters, particular Loretta. Concrete Folk became beloved to many and got some great reviews as well. (LAIST and LA Weekly) We were happy to see that the emotional connection to the show generated great curiosity about, and even longing for, a little known era of lesbian history.
This is a classic noir narrative in which the hardened, handsome detective just happens to be a gray-haired, butch lesbian quietly bearing the weight of the devastating loss. All of us creating the show and you who came back repeatedly became seriously attached to the characters, particular Loretta. Concrete Folk became beloved to many and got some great reviews as well. (LAIST and LA Weekly) We were happy to see that the emotional connection to the show generated great curiosity about, and even longing for, a little known era of lesbian history.
Because there has so much interest in the show I am in the process of making a photo-based book of Concrete Folk Variations that will collect all three episodes into a single 100-120 page volume. The book will be a cross between a graphic novel, a photo novella and performance documentation.
This will be a year-long project of adapting the script, photographing the puppets and sets, and assembling the book. I am extremely happy to say that Kimberly Varella of the Department of Graphic Sciences will be designing the book. Kimberly has designed many beautiful artist books and exhibition catalogs over the years.You can see some of them at the DGS website.
I do need fiancial help to make this possible. I need to raise $12,000 to cover printing expenses and design fees, as well as a small amount of photgraphic equipment. The good news is that this project has received a matching funds grant from The Center for Cultural Innovation and The Durfee Foundation. These funders have agreed to match contributions one-for-one until October 31st (up to a total of $5,000).
So please consider giving whatever you can to the project. Your donation will immediately be doubled by the matching grant. I deeply appreciate any level of support.
If we are able to exceed our goal I have plans to create some printed ephemera to accompany the book. These will be recreations of objects central to the plot of the the story, including a map, postcards, letters, and a few controversial photographs. Please help make this possible.
All donations can be made through the fiscal sponsor of the project, Automata, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Donations will be tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Thank You,
Susan Simpson
So please consider giving whatever you can to the project. Your donation will immediately be doubled by the matching grant. I deeply appreciate any level of support.
If we are able to exceed our goal I have plans to create some printed ephemera to accompany the book. These will be recreations of objects central to the plot of the the story, including a map, postcards, letters, and a few controversial photographs. Please help make this possible.
Thank You,
Susan Simpson
