CERVENÁ BARVA PRESS NEWSLETTER
Gloria Mindock, Editor Issue No. 1 July, 2005
ÈERVENÁ BARVA PRESS WEBSITE
EDITORIAL
Welcome to the second newsletter of the press. The purpose of this
newsletter is to share events, readings, interviews, books of interests,
theatre productions, and whatever else is going on of interest. It is
completely open for anyone to submit to.
Postcard Series: One update
Due to the high cost of printing, the price of the postcards has changed,
please check the website. The postcards will be available in mid-August.
RANTS AND RAVES
Raves for Nave Gallery in Somerville, MA. Their Sound Vision/ Vision Sound
111 International Exhibition and Festival of Verbo -Visual Artwork and
Performances were wonderful. I attended the performance on July 15th and
was struck by the artwork, the intimate space, and the cozy atmosphere of
the gallery. I went to see John M. Bennett and Be Blank Consort perform. I
also wanted to meet John because for years I've been reading his work which
I love. Be Blank Consort performed many pieces which took on language in a
new way. Many of the poems were spoken simultaneously with performers
speaking different text. It gave a chorus effect. I found myself listening
to some text but then my attention would go to another person and what they
were saying. The rhythm and structure of the text allowed the listener to
make their own meaning at times. The pieces that really stood out for me
were Lungs, P piece, and a brilliant performance and delivery of The Peel
Peeled. This last piece was !
performed in three different languages at the same time. The timing and
delivery of all the work was well crafted. Be Blank Consort knew exactly
what they were doing. Other members of the group that performed were
K.S.Ernst, Scott Helmes and Michael Basinski. All of the performers were
wonderful. I just loved it! I wondered if they put any of their pieces
together like John Cage used to do. That is throwing up notes in the air
and putting them together in random order. Years ago, I saw a special on
PBS on John Cage. Richard Kostelanetz, a language poet, spoke about him on
this special. I considered everyone that night performing to be language
poets. The text was not only important on the delivery but also how it
looked on the page. I cannot rave enough about this group.
BuffFluxus was the next to perform, the performance group was established
in 1956 when they first performed on the Ed Sullivan show. They were great.
They also experimented with language, text, and delivery. They consisted of
members Michael Basinski, Doug Manson, Matt Chambers and Karen Yocobucci.
They did a Poem Improvise, in which a box of pants/shorts were emptied out
onto the floor. They called them John M. Bennett's pants. They put them on
and audience members could do the same if they wanted to. Another piece
they did I'll call Oh Shit. In this, they said the phrase in as many
different ways that one possibly could. It was hysterical. I laughed quite
a bit over this one. I am not sure if that was the actual name so forgive
if it's wrong. Also the audience took part in the beginning of one piece
where they were asked questions. These performers were just wonderful.
Their delivery and pieces performed added another layer of text performance
art into the night.
The last group consisted of three performers, Chris Fritton, William R.
Howe and Lisa Phillips. It started with a huge blank piece of white paper
on the floor. On the sides of the paper were ink pads. The performers
stepped on them and walked on the paper. Different letters came out onto
the paper. While doing this they made sounds. The whole experience was
fascinating to watch. Visually watching printing and listening to sounds
were again showing the audience members the different way text and printing
can affect us. It was like watching an installation piece coming to life.
Also the ink on paper came off their shoes with different texture which
added depth to the piece. All this layering by all performers gives us a
new insight to how important language and text is. Why not take it to new
levels? Everyone here definitely did that.
William R. Howe who is Curator of the gallery put together a wonderful and
I do mean a wonderful exhibition and performances. It took such work on his
part. What a show to put together. His Assistant Curators, Chris Fritton
and Lisa Phillips are to be commended for their huge part also. It was a
great night of visual, sound, text/language and performance art put together.
Raves to Nico Vassilakis and the screening of his shorts. Visually
beautiful to watch. He is a brilliant writer so this was really neat for me
to see.
The exhibition at the Nave Gallery is open until Aug. 6th. One can look
forever at the exhibitions. Again, just visual stunning. Do see this if
you're in the area. On a final note, everyone who I spoke to from
performers to audience members, were just gems. Everyone was so nice and
the performers were all genuinely interested in feedback from the show. I
have Raves for them all, so Thank you.
...
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Dr. John M. Bennett
Curator, Avant Writing Collection
Rare Books & Manuscripts Library
The Ohio State University Libraries
1858 Neil Av Mall
Columbus, OH 43210 USA
(614) 292-3029
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.johnmbennett.net
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