2022: Collaboration with Benthe

The journey began one midsummer night in May 2022. Else Marie Bukdahl, the former director of Denmark’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts and a great mentor to Lizz, invited Lizz and her husband, Roger Petersen, to dinner at Benthe and her husband Claus Orntoft’s Stenshede art farm in Mygdal, Denmark.

Lizz had long admired Benthe’s work, which portrays the female form, emphasizing concepts such as fertility and protection and incorporating themes of movement, mobility, and adaptability. So, over delicious food and wine, Lizz asked Benthe if she would create drawings of the four women from 17th-century Spanish Theater, a period known for its rich theatrical traditions and influential female performers. These women, Margarita Zuazo, Bárbara Coronel, Fabiana Laura, and María Álvarez, were not only renowned for their acting skills but also their contributions to the theater business. After reading a draft of Lizz’s manuscript, Benthe agreed. More discussions ensued, and they decided to embark on a more extensive collaboration: an installation performance piece.

2023: Summer Apprenticeship and Artistic Growth

For the summer of 2023, Benthe offered Lizz a two-month artist/writer apprenticeship at the Stenshede art studios. There, she not only assisted with the restoration of Benthe’s large sculptures “Life-boats”; and wrote one full-length and one short play but also experienced personal growth and gained valuable insights from the collaborative process. The installation performance project became a platform for her to explore new artistic horizons and learn from the seasoned artists around her.

Lizz, Benthe, and her daughter Sigrid, united by a powerful shared vision, worked together to bring the project to life. They shared thoughts and ideas with another muse, Raquel, Lizz’s daughter. Together, they delved into the lives of Spanish actresses and theater businesswomen, particularly those of Margarita Zuazo, Bárbara Coronel, Fabiana Laura, and María Álvarez.

Benthe, with her artistic talent, sketched sculptures representing the four women. With her experience as a performance artist, Sigrid created a physical theater performance both inspired by the stories of the women from Lizz´s writings and from ongoing conversations with her and the sculptures that Sigrid brought to life on stage. Raquel focused on the theoretical and cultural aspects of artistically relating the stories of the women from Lizz’s book to today’s audience.

The Birth of Moving Muses!

By the end of the summer of 2023, the project was not only a dream but now a reality. They titled it Moving Muses: Four Extraordinary Women.

Venturing to Almagro: Sharing Fabiana Laura’s Story

The summer of 2022 was a pivotal chapter in the project’s narrative as Lizz ventured from Denmark to the historic town of Almagro, Spain. As a participant in the Association of Hispanic Classical Theater Symposium, she presented the story of Fabiana Laura, a figure of resilience and one of the four extraordinary women from her manuscript.

Minneapolis Panel: The Poignant Life of Bárbara Coronel

Later that fall, Lizz found herself in Minneapolis, where she shared the poignant life of Bárbara Coronel in a panel discussion at the 2022 Sixteenth Century Society Conference.

Exploring Domestic Abuse in the Early Modern Period

The journey continued as she was invited to contribute to the “Worlds of Conflict: Violence in the Early Modern Period” conference in Toronto in October 2023. She chose to explore the harrowing theme of domestic abuse, focusing on women wrongfully accused of heinous crimes. Lizz’s presentation shed light on the plight of an actress and theater entrepreneur, Catalina Hernández, embroiled in allegations of conspiring against her husband.

Reshaping the Narrative: From Academic Tome to Broad Narrative

These discussions, along with her ongoing collaboration with Benthe, Sigrid, and Raquel, were instrumental in reshaping the narrative of her work. This evolution led Lizz to transition her manuscript from an academic tome intended for scholars to a narrative that resonates with a broader readership.

Retrospective Exhibition: ‘My Ship Is Loaded with Life’ in Oslo

In January 2024, Benthe revealed a large retrospective exhibition in Oslo entitled “My Ship Is Loaded with Life,” which received critical acclaim. Life.”During the exhibition period, she worked on the four sculptural Moving Muses for the show at Kirsten Kjærs Museum in Denmark, celebrated for its dedication to female artists. The collaborative project MOVING MUSES was invited to Kirsten Kjærs Museum as an exhibition, a talk, and a performance.

Celebrating Female Artists: Sculptures Honoring Spanish Muses

Benthe poured her soul into her craft with a series of life-size sculptures. These figures honored the four Spanish muses and paid homage to the diverse experiences of womanhood, encapsulating their personal triumphs and professional endeavors.

Transformative Journey: Dance and Movement Across Spain and Sweden

Concurrently, from 2022 to 2024, Sigrid immersed herself in a transformative journey through dance and movement, attending workshops and festivals across Spain and Sweden. She refined her flamenco and stage combat artistry, skillfully integrating swordplay into her performance piece. She also secured an artist in residency at the TheateK Albatross in Sweden and the Kirsten Kjærs Museum to further develop and create her part of the project.

Exploring Cultural Shifts: A Linguistic Analysis from 17th-Century Spanish Theater to Contemporary Women Worldwide

Raquel's anthropological analysis provided a thought-provoking examination of the cultural impacts or representations from a theoretical perspective. Her work effectively connected the narrative of women from 17th-century Spanish theater to contemporary women worldwide, highlighting the enduring themes of gender inequality and societal expectations. Moving Muses shows “how the struggles of being on a stage at all times (in the real world) can affect others as well as our own interpretations of ourselves. The inner voice that can be loudly heard by strangers who believe they have a right to guide the way we look, act, dress, and feel. The fear of turning someone away because we cannot physically fight a man and win without the support of weapons, tools, or others."

Digital Lifeline: Collaboration and Support Across Distances

Throughout this process, their collaboration and communication played a crucial role. Despite the distance, their connection remained strong, facilitated by frequent exchanges via video chat. This digital lifeline allowed them to share inspirations, navigate challenges, and provide unwavering support to one another.

An Afternoon of Art, Performance, and Meaningful Dialogue

On May 11, 2024, the highly anticipated Moving Muses project made its remarkable debut at the Kirsten Kjærs Museum, drawing an audience that filled the venue to capacity. The event unfolded with an enlightening talk by Lizz, who captivated the audience with her insights into Spanish theater and culture from the mid-1500s to the early 1700s.

Sigrid’s enthralling performance not only received a standing ovation but also resonated deeply with the audience, leaving an indelible mark on all present. The applause reverberated through the museum, a testament to the event’s overwhelming and profound connection forged between the performer and the audience.

Bringing the event to a powerful close, Benthe shared her creative journey, eloquently describing the intricacies of her process. Her compelling discussion on the importance of addressing domestic abuse issues struck a chord with the attendees, further solidifying the event’s impact. The Moving Muses debut was well-received and celebrated for its thought-provoking content and the meaningful dialogue it inspired among those who attended.

Igniting Change and Empowerment

The Moving Muses project is not a typical historical commemoration. It is a unique beacon of inspiration for women across all ages and cultures. It brings to life four remarkable women who not only excelled in their acting careers and entrepreneurial ventures but also triumphed over the most challenging adversities. These are not just characters; they are the embodiment of resilience, with authentic narratives that encompass struggles with domestic violence, the confines of imprisonment, and the complexities of legal battles. Their legacies are a testament to the indomitable spirit that resides within every woman, catalyzing self-discovery and inner strength. Their stories, when shared, have the power to inspire and empower women worldwide.

At the inaugural event in Denmark, a powerful testament to the project's global reach, Moving Muses not only spotlighted the formidable challenges faced by 17th-century Spanish women but also drew stark parallels to the persistent global issue of domestic violence.

Despite strides made towards progress, the shadow of this societal blight lingers, with shelters continuously welcoming individuals in search of sanctuary. We must persist in bringing these harsh truths to light. By honoring the courageous journeys of these women, Moving Muses aims to ignite a movement of change and empowerment, ensuring that these women’s courage resonates and inspires action in our contemporary world.

Join the Moving Muses Journey

Moving Muses invites educational and arts institutions to play a pivotal role in the project by hosting the “Moving Muses SculptureTheater,” a unique performance installation piece. This project celebrates the resilience and legacy of extraordinary women, inspiring change and dialogue.