The Kaprow Happenings

Yesterday (5/29) I helped create a "happening," coordinated by Museum of Contemporary Art and Nancy Keystone of Critical Mass Performance Group.  I helped Nancy as she re-envisioned one of Allan Kaprow's Happenings titled "Pose". 

 

Happenings, a term coined by Allan Kaprow in the late 1950s, define an art form in which an action is extracted from the environment, replacing the traditional art object with a performative gesture rooted in the movements of everyday life. "What is a Happening? A game, an adventure, a number of activities engaged in by participants for the sake of playing." –Allan Kaprow

 

From 4-8pm a small group of us moved a chair across the city of Angels (along Sunset Blvd. from downtown to the ocean).  Using primarily the #2 bus-line, we hopped out periodically along the way to offer passer-bys the chance to sit in the chair and have their Polaroid taken.  Two shots were taken:  one was left at the site and another will be used later by Nancy in a final presentation about the Happening.

 

Besides being quite fun, I was struck with the willingness of most people to participate.  Yes, we weren't asking much of them -- but I tend to assume the worst.  Is it a scam?  Am I being Punk'd and where is Ashton?  etc. etc.   Almost every single person we approached participated in Pose and seemed happy to do so.  A break in the monotony.

 

Today, somewhere in LA, Polariod pictures of random people lie along Sunset as evidence that on that street-corner, that bus-stop, that sidewalk, etc.... someone was here and something happened, and most importantly, they were not alone in it all.

 

Thanks to MOCA and the wonderful Ms. Keystone for this.  "Art as the simple-things-in-life" is a nice reminder of how simple it can be.

 

SOSE in the Center Theatre Group newsletter

"Fencerow to Fencerow," one of SOSE's works-in-development, was featured in the newsletter for Center Theatre Group's New Play Production Program.   Here is the article:

 

CTG Newsletter, May, 2008

Center Theatre Group New Play Production Program Newsletter - Spring 2008

New L.A. Company Partnership

CTG and Son of Semele Ensemble (SOSE) are developing a new play with the working title, Fencerow to Fencerow based on the Michael Pollan bestseller The Omnivore's Dilemma. The piece combines both historical and fictional characters to reveal truths about the over-saturation of corn in our diets. Helmed by Matthew McCray and devised by SOSE, this new work will have its second developmental workshop this Spring at CTG. Matthew and company share their impulse for the piece.

SOSE was driven to develop "Omnivore" after reading the book The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan, which explores many shocking realities about American agriculture. For some of our company members, Pollan's book was a "call to action" which drove us to create this play. Our creation process for "Omnivore" originated with games, discussion, and group improvisation, later growing into the creation of a text and eventually a draft. The elements found in agriculture (e.g. plant-life, corn, digestion, the food production process, etc.) were exciting to explore in physical and theatrical ways, and our adventurous style of theatre was a perfect fit for it. Also, we felt that the creation of this play was an urgent and pressing matter knowing that America's Farm Bill was up for revision in 2007. Unfortunately, as expected, the forces of agribusiness held strong to the status quo and the 2007 Farm Bill will continue to support systems of food production that damage our people and our planet. We need a change. Obesity and malnutrition are causing illness and death. Environmental damage from the over-fertilization of our land is killing the Gulf of Mexico. 75% of the grocery store is filled with products that contain corn. Where is the line and when will the forces of agribusiness no longer turn a blind eye to the damage of the industry? "Omnivore" is driven by questions like these that MUST be asked now before it is too late.

The "Fencerow" Workshop Recap...

SOSE recently completed a workshop of our new play Fencerow to Fencerow at Center Theatre Group (CTG). A cast of 10, director/writer Matt McCray, and CTG Literary Associate Mike Sablone met for 2-weeks, exploring text and movement. The focus of the workshop was on clarity and impact of both story and characters, as well as the physical world of the play.

The project was a thoroughly exhausting one that couldn't have been more rewarding. With new pages, new scenes and sometimes the swapping of actors in certain roles, everyone from playwright to actor was creating and re-creating each day. It became an exercise in patience and stamina, as well as listening (of course).

The seven SOSE members in the cast (Sarah Boughton, Don Boughton, Sharyn Gabriel, Danny Getzoff, Edgar Landa, Michael Nehring and Jonathan Williams) were joined by non-SOSE members (now friends) Jerry Hoffman, Shannon Holt and Greg Wantanabe. The workshop featured dances by co-choreographers Matt McCray & Kirsten Long, as well as new music and sound created by company friend and designer Ryan Poulson (sound design for Melancholy Play & Iphigenia).

The semi-public presentation of our work was presented at the CTG Annex on May 3 at 3pm. The play continues its development and there will be more to come about other public opportunities to see/hear it. To be notified of upcoming readings/presentations, please make sure to join our eblast. If you think you are on it, you can join again and you will only receive one email. Duplicates are immediately deleted.

Thats the scoop on "Fencerow to Fencerow". Thanks to everyone who made this workshop possible, especially the folks at CTG!!!