Here’s a little blurb about the evening of dance and fashion performance art Jamie and I are collaborating on for a performance at Highways Performance Space , in February. Naturally, since you all seem to be the most intelligent and well-credentialled fans from the show, we welcome your insights on the piece. I’m curious about the images that the description conjures in your heads.
We are communicators first, before being a choreographer and designer, so a dialogue with our audience is a crucial part of the process.
BATHROOM FOLLIES
Choreographer Jamie Benson and Fashion Designer Andrae
Gonzalo present an examination of artifice, and its
function in the American psyche. Through the combined
vernacular of dance and fashion, Benson and Gonzalo
investigate the profound nature of vulgarity and the
disturbing odor of pretense. The hidden truths of the
human experience lie behind closed stalls. They are
the garments we are left wearing, after being fully
exposed. Only when we bother to start looking, do we
truly begin to see.
You poo with your boxers on? That’s kinda weird, Andrae…
omg, that is awesome. I really like the idea of investigating “the profound nature of vulgarity and the
disturbing odor of pretense” in society because it bothers me all the time and I think your statement put it perfectly.
It’s interesting because a few weeks ago in my theatre arts class we were naming all of the different instances in daily life when one is “acting” and we pretty much came to the conclusion that the only time we are not wearing a facade is when we are alone in our car, driving (which is similar to your description of “behind closed stalls”).
I am very curious as to how this topic will be expressed through dance and clothing…
Reading your description really conjures images of protection and vulnerability to me. As far as fashion goes, I think it would be interesting to see the two juxtaposed against one another in pairings: what one wears to be “cool” versus what one wears to feel good, what one wears to portray sexuality to others versus what a man/woman finds sexually attractive, what you wear to a funeral versus what you wear to a celebration, and, as an extreme, functional protective clothing versus complete nudity or the illusion thereof. (Sorry, I’m a law student and see things in terms of plaintiff versus defendant these days…) It sounds like an interesting project, though, and I’d love to hear more!
Both the photo and description are intriguing, but think about making the “potty” allusions more subtle. First, consider changing “behind closed stalls” to “behind closed doors,” partly because it is more technically correct - if you were behind the stalls you’d be located somewhere inside the wall - and partly because it makes the point without hammering it home like an Oliver Stone movie. If your hope is that people will look past the obvious, the description should also be less obvious. The same goes for “disturbing odor.” It distracts from your point and gives the impression the piece is closer to teenage bathroom humor than I think you intend. Choose some word other than “odor.”
Ultimately you need to trust the photo will catch people’s attention and that your intended audience will make the connection. The reference to behind closed doors is enough. If someone looking at the flyer doesn’t get that, they probably wouldn’t get your piece either. Hope this is helpful.
Bush is forever saying that democracies do not invade other countries and start wars. Well, he did just that. He invaded Iraq, started a war, and killed people. What do you think? Is killing thousands of innocent civilians okay when you are doing a little government makeover?
What happened to us, people? When did we become such lemmings?
We have lost friends and influenced no one. No wonder most of the world thinks we suck. Thanks to what george bush has done to our country during the past three years, we do!