Breaking ConWorks News
The saga continues… First the storm, then the quiet, and now ConWorks is showing signs of renewed activity. Nothing’s official yet, but I got some advance notice that February will bring a slate of freaky-sounding acts, from the spazzy and wonderful Portland performer Joe Van Appen to a performance installation involving needles and XXX role play… with audience members. So far, the lineup includes:
US by solo performer Tim Miller, the self-described “gay performer,” founding member of PS 122, and one of the NEA Four (Miller, Karen Finley, John Fleck, and Holly Hughes), who had their funding pulled as part of the culture wars.
Birth of A nASIAN, “trip hop comedy theater” featuring Juilliard violinist Lyris Hung and NYC comedians/thespians Kate Rigg and Leah Ryan.
Mapa Corpa, an installation/performance by Mexico City’s “techno-shaman-in-drag” Guillermo Gómez-Peña and Pocha Nostra that somehow involves a body being stuck with 40 needles, each topped by a flag for each of the coalition forces in Iraq. Then there’s the X-rated role playing by made-over and anonymous audience members. I’m not sure how I feel about that.
Trigger Kids by Portland’s Joe Von Appen. I’ve seen some of his sharp, mesmerizing solo work at On the Boardsfrom playing too-stoned kids in a mall to a creepy late-night TV watcher, he’s pretty fucking awesome.
There’s also talk of a video installation by local Gary Hill, music programming, something with Degenerate Art Ensemble, a wall devoted to tag art, and other tidbits. Look for more details (and scraps from an interview with new artistic director Corey Pearlstein) in next week’s theater column.