Santa Cruz native to release art film ‘Seek’
A “hive” is usually associated with bees and indicates a whole lot of frenzied activity going on. That pretty much describes what Hive Creative Company of Santa Cruz offers audiences wherever it lands.
Created in 2018 by Santa Cruz native Nathan Hirschaut, who considers himself a creative coach, Hive is now shepherding other artists along their creative journeys.
This cooperative effort has resulted in Hirschaut’s virtual production called “Seek,” a 45-minute art film that includes six short-story cinematic sequences that, together, document various quests for selftrust as well as emotional and mental potential.
Hirschaut says the film “portrays the experiences one must go through to learn to trust oneself. It’s a story as old as time that reminds us of our spiritual callings and asks us to reflect on our inner purpose.”
Included are the stories of performing artist Zoe Hollinshead, opera singer Lydia Ghram, composer Assaf Shatil and cinematographer Alex Sargent, as well as Hirschaut himself, who also directed and choreographed the production. Cinematography was done by Ale Sargent.
All of the various stories were filmed in local areas ranging from Big Sur, the mountains, the ocean and various other locales.
“Seek” will stream at 6 p.m Jan. 31, followed by a live talkback event and a silent auction — a virtual table of elevated art, commerce, and experiences. Tickets are priced at $20 for a ticket, the silent auction and seven days to replay the show; $30 for all of the above plus an opportunity to review a 20-minute “behind-the-scenes” documentary, and $40 for all of the above plus unlimited opportunity to replay the show.
“For me, art that reflects a quest for truth, both internally and externally, is what inspires me,” explains Hirschaut. “This art film personifies remnants of my own autobiographical journey but is also rooted in a clear call to action to ignite soulsearching journeys in others.”
None of this might have happened had it not been for the COVID-19 virus. Last spring Hirschaut was in the middle of his senior year at The Julliard School in New York City when most of that city went into lockdown. He decided to move back home to Santa Cruz and reassess what it means to be a dancer, an artist, a healer and an activist.
That was the embryonic stage of Hive Creative Company, which now includes a group of interdisciplinary artists who make avant-garde shows, installations, films and multimedia projects. The company created more than six world-premiere shows and exhibits in 2019, and is known for its raw, emotionally charged, purposeful work.
Hive also offers hundreds of live and on-demand weekly Kundalini yoga classes taught by Hirschaut. For more information, go to the HIVE website: www. hivecreates.com.
Contact Joanne Engelhardt at features@santacruzsentinel.com.