For Interarts Performance senior Anya Klapischak, art isnt just her major. Rather, her work reflects a true passion and dedication, one thats evolved since she arrived in Ann Arbor for the first time.

When I first started out doing performance (art), most of my work was about my problems or about my illnesses, insecurities and weaknesses, Klapischak said. (But) it wasnt actually solving any of those problems because I was still giving enough power to those problems to make work about it instead of channeling my energy into something new and something I would consider to be a strength or a positive thing.

The progression of Klapischaks art is a reflection of the positive experiences shes shared with her peers, though that is not to say she hasnt challenged the rigidity of a university program.

I have a hard time with the culture of any program in which its all focused on this individualistic aspect of the art where you hole yourself away in the studio and you paint furiously or you sculpt furiously and its all coming from you, Klapischak said. The solitude and the real loneliness of it is going to prevail the artwork. Which is why I dont think Ill ever be a solo performer.

Instead, Klapischak is focused on continuing to work with others, which is something that has remained consistent throughout her career. She thrives when collaborating with as many as 15 other people who are equally as committed to the final product as she is.

Working in collectives and working in art groups, any sort of work with other theater individuals, thats prime for me and I think thats where if there is a self thats where I started to discover my sense of self.

Klapischak was interested in discussing her experience at the University, but when asked about her current project, it was as if the true passion within the artist was unleashed. In her words, she did a little experiment, directing me to close my eyes and hold a small, clear crystal. In doing so, I was assisting her in a key piece of research for her Integrative Project.

The way that I put it into words currently is, Im exploring the appearance of spirituality for our generation; what it looks like when we practice spirituality or commit ourselves to some sort of seeking, Klapischak said. Im really interested in finding out what ties our generation together in terms of that journey, towards some sort of enlightenment. And my hypothesis is that it is the tie that binds all of us as we walk and live and breath.

Spirituality is an integral part of Klapischaks research and something she connects with very personally. But there is another component that has fueled the development of her senior project.

They have a saying about ayahuasca: You dont find ayahuasca, ayahuasca finds you. And I found that to be really true last year when suddenly I just came to this point where I thought the best thing I can do right now is go down to the jungle, drink some ayahuasca and talk to the Devil. And thats what I did.

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Artist Profile: Anya Klapischak explores spirituality with ayahuasca