if you're in new york in february...

...why not try something fresh and unexpected in Manhattan, like attend my friend Irene Chan's live performance of her latest artist book, An ABC reDiscovers Appearance? Yes, that's right - she's performing with her artist book. She debuted at the Stockholm Fringe Festival this past October.

In Irene's words:

I start every week with my identity and sense of belonging intact, only to have it fractured into pieces. My look of ‘Asianness’ has led to a great many misunderstandings: from the humorous to the demoralizing absurd. This performance explores whether old stereotypes affect how others see me today and whether growing up with American popular media has affected how I see myself and other Asians.

Sunday, February 6, 2011, 5pm
The Strawberry One-Act Festival
The Hudson Guild Theatre, 441 West 26th Street, NYC,
Between 9th & 10th Avenue in Chelsea

Program and Tickets (Irene is in Series J):

This is a competition and the audience votes. Please ask your NY friends to attend! Check the website for updates. If Irene advances, she will perform the show again the following week.

crossover inspiration

This year's collaboration with CityDance and Pyramid Atlantic has planted the seed of desire in me to do more of this kind of "crossover" work between the performing and visual arts, specifically with dance. Am starting to research the genesis of these kinds of projects that started to crop up mid-twentieth century through the likes of Merce Cunningham's collaborations with Robert Rauschenberg, Andy Warhol, and Jasper Johns.

Rebecca Kamen is a local Northern Virginia artist with a galactic vision. Her work mashes up science, art, performance and installation. She collaborated with Jane Franklin Dance this past year to marry contemporary sculpture with contemporary dance. I'm fascinated by this mix, visions of future collaborations dancing in my own head.