In 2010 I had a concept in my head one day that I should photograph my favorite subjects (Clowns) without their performance costume and makeup and match it with a performance shot. The ‘Unmask’ shot would be black and white and the performance shot in color. I decided to call it The Clown UnMask. I began shooting in Feb. 2010 with one of the funniest clowns I know and admire. Glen Heroy.
I followed up with many more (almost 50) until I stopped shooting the series in 2016. Here is a comprehensive list of the performers (with links to the original posts) I documented in my ‘hallway’ studio. In the order in which I photographed them. Full post are reached by using the links. Some portrait are provided for visual excitement!
(The wall came down in 2016 so the series was discontinued)
I hadn’t seen Avner the Eccentric perform in quite a long time. I think it was June 1983 at the First New York Clown Theatre Festival. His show was delightfully simple and very funny! At close range (Canal Park Playhouse is a very intimate theatre) Avner was able to relate to the audience in a very unique and personal way.
Avner enchants the audience with his charm.
Balancing a feather never looked so easy.
Working with a ladder in the show never looked so difficult but very funny.
Avner looks at the audience with a question in his mind and his ears bend over.
Avner salutes the audience while enjoying a plate full of napkins.
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Avner the Eccentric’s show “Exceptions to Gravitiy”is full of surprises. Lots of fun for any age or intellectual capacity.
Avner Eisenberg (aka Avner the Eccentric) discusses the show he just opened at The Canal Park Playhouse. Avner has been performing for the past 30 years in all venues imaginable all over the globe. At the Canal Park Playhouse he brings it down to a charming small audience with his personality and skills ever so present.
I was very interested in hearing the history of the NYGoofs. I had seen the name around for years and knew a few performers that worked with them. Finally a few years ago I began documenting their shows.
This year I wanted to get more information about the origins of the group and hear what Dick Monday had to say about this ‘clown venture’ that has lasted quite a few years!
Here is an interview that covers all that and more. I enjoyed working with Dick, Tiffany, Chet and Lily as well as the entire cast of performers that did the
WATER FOR CLOWNS show this year. Go here for photographs and more information on that show.
Dick Monday Interview
Recently Dick and Tiffany sat for me to do a portrait for my Clown Un_Mask series.
This video can NOT be Embedded to play on other sites!
Balancing a feather never looked so easy.
Working with a ladder in the show never looked so difficult but very funny.
Avner salutes the audience while enjoying a plate full of napkins.
