Sponsored by Colt 45
Featuring Contributions by:
Kristina Donello
Nick Lesley
Avarus
Curated by Lisa Baldini
Power 2 is the second in a series of curatorial experiments that examines the phases of web media through collaborative projects. For its second incarnation, choreographer Kristina Donello, media artist Nick Lesley and members of Finnish sound collective supergroup Avarus fuse dance, motion capture video, and sound to create a Gesamtkunstwerk (Total Art) that addresses the era of social media.
The approach remains true to the Richard Wagner definition of a Gesamtkunstwerk:
Whereas the public, that representation of daily life, forgets the confines of the auditorium, and lives and breathes now only in the artwork which seems to it as Life itself, and on the stage which seems the wide expanse of the whole World.
As such, the work’s goal is intended to create a multimedia environment that commands/consumes the viewer’s attention.
In the age of social media, the viewer is accustomed to simultaneously consuming information, content, media and interpersonal interactions. The threshold for attention spans continues to decrease, while saturation with the visual world increases. Power 2 combats this phenomenon by making the viewer the 4th wall of the piece. An exercise in control, it blurs the lines between performer, art and audience by constantly moving the viewer between passive observer, participant and static object.
Power 2 is a one night only event, beginning at 9pm. There is a ten dollar suggested donation for entry. Complimentary Colt 45 will be available for all guests who are 21 and over.
All guests are asked to wear white to participate.
Please contact Lisa Baldini at lisa@golden-gallery.org for more information regarding Power 2 or the Power Series.
In 2001 Avarus formed in Tampere, Finland, by members of the Anaksimandros and Pylon. The group continues to expand, collaborating with members of Kiila,
Munuaissymposium 1960 and Kemialliset Ystävät. There are approximately 10 core members in Avarus dispersed throughout Finland; performances may include up to 20 members. Regardless of the number of members, they focus on improvised collective sound that values primitive, child-like, joyous and free vibes. Avarus has toured twice in Europe and completed their first U.S. tour in 2007.
http://www.secreteye.org/se/avarus.html
http://www.haamu.com/lallallal/
Kristina Donello was raised in sunny south Florida where she pranced around barefoot all day. After graduating from the dance program at Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Kristina moved to New York to continue her dance education at the SUNY Purchase College Conservatory of Dance. She danced as a part of the Purchase Dance Corps and toured in Spain performing contemporary works under the direction of Kazuko Hirabayashi. Ms. Donello studied dance composition with Rosalind Newman and Neil Greenberg. Since graduation Kristina has performed works by Pele Bauch, Yael Shtainer, and is currently a dance administrative assistant for Chris Elam/Misnomer Dance Theater. Kristina often choreographs work in conjunction with other multimedia.
Nick Lesley is a multimedia artist and musician. Much of his work focuses on physical relationships to sound and art experience. He regularly performs improvised music, primarily playing percussion and electronics. Nick has also created interactive sound and video installations as well as music for a number of dance pieces. He expects to complete his MFA in Performance and Interactive Media Arts from Brooklyn College in the Spring of 2008. He holds a BA from the University of California, San Diego (2001) in Film and Video, Media Arts with a minor in Music Technology. Nick hopes to develop in his work a better fusion of interactive video and music in performance.
http://www.neckandtongue.com/
http://www.nicklesley.com/