In partnership with Crystal Bi, the Rest Activations are presented as a disruption to the constant need for movement, capitalism, and the need to survive. The event is presented as an interactive, experimental concert to trick the participant into resting. The soundscape that is played is Dzidzor intentionally choreographs a melody to unfold, while carefully collaging sound bites of voices, melody, recorded memos, spoken poems, and songs, offering a refuge where the soul can unwind. The performance is a disruption from the demands of everyday life, a sonic haven designed to address the specific needs of exploring and welcoming solace and restoration.

The soundscape invites you to a space where rhythms harmonize with the pulse of relaxation, and each note serves as a gentle reminder to release tension. A sound collage of humming, nature, interviews,  and the rhythmic cadence of instruments carefully chosen for their calming effect, every element is orchestrated to guide you into a state of peaceful repose.

This project is a confluence of our experiences in community engagement and socially engaged art. In our work as civic designers, the common arrangement is for city officials to propose designs to the community. This traditional process holds intrinsic shortfalls; privileging the voices of retired homeowners and restricting the imaginations of community members by failing to center it from the beginning. We draw upon writings from DS4SI to imagine if this arrangement between communities and city government was flipped; empowering communities to propose their ideas directly to government. This work draws from the writings of adrienne maree brown, reminding us we live in a white imagination and must engage our own imagination to break free. We are indebted to teachers such as Toni Morrison, Rubem Alves, and bell hooks. This work further emerges from socially engaged artists such as Ifé Franklin and Jeff Yoo Warren, who transform archives into art.