A little birdy told us that there’s a flashmob brewing tonight at the New Museum called “The Perfect Match.” We’re not sure of the details yet but we hear it will have quite an ending! Stay tuned as we find out more. UPDATE: We hear through the grapevine that the New Museum is doing everything possible to crush this burgeoning Flashmob, so we’re not sure what this will mean for this things success (and this bad weather ain’t going to help either).
performance art
Artist Karen Finley Talks New York of Yesteryear, Women in the Arts, Lady Gaga and More
Has she no decency? At long last, has she no decency? The transgressive, titillating performance artist Karen Finley was denied a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1990 because the language and content in her work was deemed “indecent.” Along with three other artists she became part of the infamous Supreme Court case The National Endowment for the Arts v. Karen Finley, which culminated in the discontinuation of individual artist grants. In her interview with Hyperallergic, Finley reflects on the past of New York City, the state of women in the arts, Lady Gaga and more.
On Being in an Olek
“Something I Guarantee You’ve Never Done Before” was the title of the Facebook invitation I got. “Hmm.” I thought. The invitation was somewhat secretive, but the link that was provided confirmed what I suspected. Being somewhat familiar with Olek’s work from some of the press she’s gotten, I knew it would involve spending time in a full-body crocheted costume. A few weeks later after determining I didn’t have anything better to do (and I mean that in the best possible way), I decided to go for it. Crocheting is a very occasional hobby of mine. I’ve always had an affinity for it over knitting, which seems to be the hipper of these crafts, and I wanted to get more familiar with Olek’s work after her last show titled KnittingisforPus*****.
Cheryl Means Camp, Bling, Parties & Garfield Tattoos
This is the last weekend to visit performance art/party collective Cheryl’s show on Williamsburg’s Bedford Avenue, where they have set up shop in the Rawson Projects. This quirky group of artists with an obvious affection for glitter, masks and videos are silkscreening tshirts and totes and selling the artifacts from their parties over the years.
Is the Internet the Death of Performance Art?
Did video kill the performance art star? The New York Times asks this question in an article that claims that the constant spectacle of YouTube and social media have trumped performance art’s shock value.
Tonight’s Event Is Sold Out!
Tonight’s event at Hyperallergic HQ is sold out, but don’t fret if you don’t have tickets as the artist has agreed to let us turn tonight’s performance into a podcast. This also means that there will be no livestreaming this evening.
Lap Dance Artist Talks Power, What’s Really For Sale & Evangelical Christians
Some of the most memorable experiences that I’ve had with art have come about by accident. Last Thursday was one such experience during Myla DalBesio’s “Young Money” performance.
An Artist’s 1973 TV Commercial
It’s incredible to think that back in 1973 performance artist Chris Burden used a recorded video excerpt of his performance that same year, “Through the Night Softly,” to create a 10-second black-and-white spot that was broadcast five times a week for four weeks on KHS-Channel 9 in LA.
50 People Get Naked for Art on Wall Street, 3 Get Arrested
Wall Street is a bizarre place. Major investment banks, hedge funds and other members of the world’s financial elite tank the world’s economy and practically no one gets arrested. Fifty participants in a performance art project by Zefrey Throwell, Ocularpation: Wall Street, get naked and three are arrested and are awaiting court appearances. America, consider this your wake up call.
Thoughts on West Asian Performance Art
We’ve been catching up on our reading at Hyperallergic HQ and came across this quote by Wafaa Bilal in the Dubai-based Brownbook magazine (Issue 25) about the state of performance art in West Asia …
Mail Art Bulletin: Some Staff Picks
Last Friday, I asked Kate Wadkins to work with some Hyperallergic writers and interns who were asked to pick a mail art submission and respond to it.
Port Authority’s Human Side in a 24 Hour Performance
When I caught performance artist Man Bartlett around 4:30 pm EST yesterday, he had been in New York City’s Port Authority Bus Terminal for 23 and a half hours straight. Beginning on Wednesday, May 25 at 5 pm and continuing through 5 pm on May 26, the “#24hPort” performance saw the artist occupy both virtual and physical space, wandering through Port Authority and asking visitors where they were going, at the same time tweeting about the experience and asking Twitter participants about their memories of where they had been.