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)
The OPENING of the PS122 building after years of renovation proved to be worth the wait!
The two new spaces – Derek Lloyd stage and Neilma Sidney Theatre – were utilized for the OPENING NIGHT ‘Avant-Garde-Arama.’
Here are my images and video from the AGA Extravaganza on this night!
Opening the show in the Derek Lloyd Stage was Pat Oleszko and her beautiful inflatables.
The theater was packed for the AGA show in the Derek Lloyd theater.
Salley May and the ensemble players bust open the place with a great song and dance exorcism.
Performer list:
Mediums: Jacqueline Zahora, Pedro J. Rosado Jr.
Pure Evil: Salley May and Tony Stinkmetal
Kid Evil-Slayers: Louise May, Annabel Sexton-Daldry, Graham Greene, Lois Houck, and Logan Martinez.
Ghosts: Heidi Dorow, Laurie Berg, Agosto Machado, Nicky Paraiso, Annie Lanzillotto, Simba Yangala, Audrey Kindred, Jodi Bender, Sarah Trignano, Diana Y Greiner, Ed Boland, Jessie Weiner, Lizzie Donahue, Julian Fleisher, David Thorpe, and Sam Zalutsky
““The Flatiron Hex” is a dauntingly original and possibly hallucinogenic delight.”
The New York Times
THE FLATIRON HEX
I was asked to photograph the early development stages of this piece a few years ago. It was a delightful challenge to capture James Godwin’s puppet creations in still photographs. ( see image above)
I must admit I was rather taken by the unorthodox story line and puppets that were made for this show. They were macabre and magical. So now, James needs YOUR help to mount this show at HERE Arts. After a successful run at Dixon Place, it is now ready for more audience viewers. I am copy and pasting his ‘Fund Raising’ copy here and hope that you give it some consideration. Be part of this creative process and production.
““The Flatiron Hex” is a solo puppet performance that tells the story of Wylie Walker, a contract shaman who works for NYORG, A city in the middle of a swamp. Wylie uses his unusual talents to solve problems and do routine maintenance on the city’s interweb biotechnology. Due to the haunted land and sentient mainframes, Wylie faces many occult adversaries. Storms constantly threaten to destroy NYORG, but a secret feature of the Flatiron building keeps the storms at bay, that is as long as the cloud-code is cracked and the correct ritual procedure is followed. Inspired by speculative fiction and neo-noir, “The Flatiron Hex” is peeking inside a parallel world infected with intelligent viruses and paranoia. Elements of the fantastic collide with theevery day to become evocative of a magical reality. It’s also a quest, a blood soaked comedy of redemption and sacrifice. HISTORY OF DEVELOPMENT: “The Flatiron Hex” was created by Co-writers James Godwin and Tom Burnett during a residency at Dixon Place, supported in part by a Doris Duke Exploration Grant. The first workshop presentation of “The Flatiron Hex” took place in October 2014 as part of the P.A.T.C.H. Series with the support Heather Henson and a Jim Henson Foundation Production Grant. After completing a wildly successful 6 show premiere run at Dixon Place in New York Cityin May 2015, “The Flatiron Hex” is now raising funds for a month-long run at HERE Arts in September 2017.
“The atmosphere is more party than performance. The audience — many of whom will perform — bring beer from the local delis. Typical hallway conversation runs like this: “I’ll go on for three minutes, then you break in with this poem . . .” All performers get a care package, which this night included a condom, a lollipop, and a mint.”
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Quotes from the press about Surf Reality!
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“At Surf Reality a form of comedy is being worked on even more alternative than alternative comedy”– The New Yorker
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“Surf Reality is …the brackish undertow of the cultural comedic wave, a radical rejection of standard stand-up”– The Wall Street Journal
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“Surf Reality continues its quest to present the best in alternative comedy” – Daily News
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“Best Performance Art, Very Funny.” – NY Press, Best of Manhattan ’97
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“Surf Reality, the Lower East Side’s infamous bastion of cutting edge, theatrical zaniness…” – Shout Magazine 1999
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Check out the Surf Reality website from back-in-the-day!
In this homage to the mood goddess Luna Macaroona on the occasion of the April Full Pink Moon, AUNTS presented a stellar lineup of performances and a touch of mayhem. The list was a ‘who’s who’ of the downtown performance scene. Hosted by Lucy Sexton.
Lucy Sexton hosted the Full Moon show with joy and pizazz which was evident on her face throughout the night.
LaMama’s ‘The Club’ program director Nicky Paraiso holds up the program for the festival and gets the show started.
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Opening this wonderful evening of performances was Antonio Ramos and his peculiar ‘barbie doll’ fantasy.
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Salley May and her ‘Pink Full Moon’ piece was wonderful. Pedro J. Rosado(L) on stage with Salley.
Pedro J. Rosado (on floor) Louis Belle Ethyl May, Salley May and Annabel Clare Sexton Daldry fight to the finish.
Annabel Clare Sexton Daldry, Salley May, Pedro J. Roasdo, Lucy Sexton,Alice Klugherz and Louise Belle Ethyl May take curtain call.
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Brooke O’Harra (at computer) and Sharon Hayes (standing) interpret a Tom Murrin performance using projection and monolog.
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Katy Pyle and Jules Skloot start their piece in the back of the theater above the audience.
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Stan Baker performs his ‘infamous’ and hilarious hilarious ‘Human TV’.
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Alice Klugherz performs a solo movement/monolog.
Alice Klugherz ends the piece in a stark, bold costume undulating to the floor.
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Periodically during the show Lucy Sexton would liven up the crowd with her charm.
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Rob Erickson (LUMBEROB) performed his “Tom’s Alien Flight School’ routine.
Utilizing electronic equipment and his voice LUMBEROB created an audio track that was brilliant.
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Heidi Dorow and Diana Y Greiner adorn mask and performed with Julian Fleisher as dj.
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Introducing the “Westchester Free Theater” was a lovely woman who had a lot to say about Theater.
The Westchester Free Theater company members danced and sang a song accompanied by a live music trio.
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Suddenly from the audience a voice (Chris Tanner) is heard singing a lovely song.
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After taking a short hit from his metal flask Biff Locamp (James Godwin) addresses the audience.
Jonathan Ames talks about his friend Tom Murrin and introduces the “Battle of the Sexes” boxing match.
In this corner – Introducing “The Impact Addict” – David Leslie
Another good try for both contestants as the match moves to the 2nd round.
Sonya gets her right fist into David’s gut as cigar yielding Galinsky spots the fighters while leaning on the wall.
Jonathan Ames holds up the winner Sonya’s arm.
Jonathan holds up David’s arm as he is a winner too!
After the boxing match David Leslie sits ringside with his adorable son Brooks looking startled.
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Enticing the audience to open their Luna Receptors, Lucy Sexton, Laurie Berg (AUNTS producer) and James Godwin celebrate a great night in honor of a great legend.
Still from video. Tom Murrin talking to the Luna Macaroona via his Luna phone.
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Stage Manager Lori E.Seid was so vital to making this great evening possible!
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More shows for the next two weeks! Make sure you come and celebrate by seeing one of these fun shows.
Last night was the first night of two ‘Avant-Garde-Arama‘ presented at the lovely Abrons Arts Center in the Lower East Side.
A Tribute to the late downtown luminary performance artist Tom Murrin, aka Alien Comic, in celebreation of his 28 years of performing in Avant-Garde-Arama.
Brave Nude World Study #1: Etude en Nude -Directed by Lulie Atlas Muz
Dynasty Handbag
Here are some images from the evenings festivities.
Salley May with Louise Belle Ethyl May and Annabel Clare Sexton Daldry.
CoHost Jonathan Ames does one of his ‘hairy calls’.
Dynasty Handbag cohosted the show with Jonathan Ames.
Starting off the “Brave Nude World Study” piece was Mat Fraser singing an amazingly beautiful song.
Julie Atlas Muiz on stage photographing the ‘Etude en Nude’ dancers.
Alice Klugherz performing on stage in a monolog followed by dance.
Dynasty Handbag had the audience in laughter with her wild dance improv.
Cornelius Loy mesmerized the audience with his therimin music and hypnotic stare.
David Leslie dances in a space suit as Tom looks on from the moon.
Avant-Garde-Arama curator Salley May host the ’40seondStreet’ segment of the show.
Audience member dances for himself with audience watching but not hearing the music.
James Godwin performs a ‘bunraku’ style puppet piece.
Elevator Repair Service curtain call after their play.
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Avant-Garde-Arama curator Salley May (with Louise Belle Ethyl May and Annabel Clare Sexton Daldry) and a host of other wonderful fans of Tom Murrin get together and dance to celebrate his legacy and performance work at "Avant-Garde-Arama'.
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Hanging out near the bar before the performance was 
THE FLATIRON HEX
Here is James Godwin posing for my 
