The Chez Conversations collective is made up of a New York-based female art collective comprised of Cleo Wade, Kate Greer, Liza Voloshin, Margot and Mia Moretti. As innovators and social commentators, they embody the very concept of ‘mover’ and ‘shaker’.

They share a passion for preserving the intimacy of art and the beauty of love. It sounds wonderfully naive, vintage and classic – a group of girls from all backgrounds (Mia Moretti, a recording artist and DJ, Cleo Wade, an artist and poet, Margot, a singer, pianist, artist, writer, Kate Greer, an artist, and Liza Voloshin, photographer and painter) all coming together and simply supporting each other as emotional human beings. It’s a simple idea, but a powerful one – and a time tested one.

For this night, Chez Conversations was dedicated to Cleo Wade and her book release, Falling Out Of Love With You Is Eternal. The event was tucked away in the dimly lit, warm studio of legendary artist Francesco Clemente. And with cigarette smoke rising, dust settling, champagne provided by Perrier-Jouët pouring and a samba mix by Mia playing on the hi-fi, it all felt far from the here and now. Despite being in clear view through enormous windows, the real world felt distant. As Cleo read aloud an excerpt from the work, the world continued to slip away. She spoke hesitantly but passionately, as though she had been toying with the words in her mind all day, orchestrating sentences at her own pace. Later, Margot (half of the band The Dolls; other member being Mia Moretti), gave a passionate performance with words provided by Cleo for one song. This song, written by Cleo, was particularly emotional. Margot’s nervous energy communicated the challenge of a break-up well. She shook and swayed; it was clearly a struggle to get the words out – she wrestled with the violin … but in a gorgeous show of commitment, she finally relented and provided the final words to the song. It was acceptance, albeit a bitter acceptance.

 

The performance was commendable and the art of Clemente was perfectly fascinating and fitting – a celebration of life in all of its interactions. Clemente’s work certainly celebrates the body, but more so, a celebration of love. What a perfect backdrop to a group dedicated to the celebration of life, in all of its interactions, especially love.

 

Cleo communicated this well by saying that, “love is the medium from which all other mediums originate.”

The book Falling Out Of Love With You Is Eternal has a limited edition run of 108 copies at $108 each. www.chezconversations.com

– Benjamin Schmidt

Photo Credit: David X Prutting, BFA