I don't know what it is about New York City, but the energy, especially the art energy is unmistakable, and (unfortunately) un-bottle-able. Last week I was there for the opening of A Book About Death at the Emily Harvey Foundation Gallery (http://abookaboutdeath.blogspot.com/) and for a FluxFest performance at The Boiler in Brooklyn. I performed my own original score, "Breath Piece", and assisted with Reed Altemus' performance of Luc Ferien's "Rose Piece" as well as Carol Starr's "Red Circle Piece (for Allan Revich)". I hadn't done any Fluxus performance work before, and had assisted in two pieces at the opening the previous night (Cecil Touchon's "Requiem for a Rubber Band" and Keith Buchholz' spoken word piece (the title of which I can't remember; sorry Keith!) Video of these performances here, and other shots of the opening as well http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/2139753
So, why the rambling? My intention for The Studio is to create a space locally where this kind of activity could take place and be happily attended, a place to expose New Hampshire residents (and visitors) to performance work, especially Fluxus work, which can sometimes be more accessible to a wide variety of people than some other forms of performance work. But how to infuse this small New Hampshire city with even a little of the energy of New York?!
That's my dilemma and my challenge, but also my pleasure!
The Studio: a funky gift shop and gallery created by Melissa McCarthy, artist and bon vivant. 50 Canal Street, Laconia NH. 603.455.8008. Regular hours Wednesday - Friday 10-5, Saturday 10-3. Special events monthly; see calendar for updates. Every Tuesday at The Studio Local Outbreak, a great music program records live - check out http://ipmnation.com/local-outbreak for information!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
New York, New York
I can't believe that in the 2 days that I've been here I have seen and done more than I have all year at home. Openings, both my own and others, galleries, restaurants, laughter, wine and meeting artists whom I've worked and corresponded with for years "in person" for the first time...it's all been a full and amazing trip.
The hotel where I'm staying (The Jane, http://thejanenyc.com/) is home to one of the hottest bars in town. When we got back from the opening and "afterparty" there were lines of people waiting to get in, bouncers, police escorts. Thankfully I'd brought my key; I brandished it above my head and said, "I'm staying here".... The bouncer took my elbow, hollered "Hotel guest, move, move, hotel guest!"...the doorman hollered " 'otel gaste! 'otel gaste!" -- and the crowds parted. Fortunately, I was wearing my black bar glasses http://www.perpetualkid.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2256, so no one knew it was only me!
I can't wait to use the energy I'm absorbing here to work once I'm back in The Studio. I will try and arrange an exhibit of Book About Death Postcards (http://abookaboutdeath.blogspot.com/) so more people can see them, and I am looking forward to doing some performance work later on! Now to go and get ready for tonight's performance in Brooklyn...
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