The audacity of performance

David Bench invites you to a performance on "the character of Barack Obama in the many ways you can read him as a leader and how that is relevant to today's political climate." He writes, "Three actors will be playing different aspects of his character and the audience is encouraged to interact with the characters and each other in a discussion of the issues."

That's tonight, June 20,7pm at PS 122, 150 1st Avenue, Manhattan. RSVP

David's program is part of "The Audacity of Desperation," presented by PS 122 Gallery at DEMO Space 122, June 19–June 22.  Here's more information:

DEMO Space 122 is pleased to present the NYC stop of "The Audacity of Desperation," a 3-day nomadic exhibition of take-away projects (initiated and curated by Jessica Lawless and Sarah Ross and organized by Steven Lam) in conjunction with a series of performances and workshops responding to the spin of the upcoming election.

TAKE-AWAYS:

Artworks by activists, artists, enthusiasts and very concerned people are made in unlimited editions to be freely distributed.  These artworks function as counter-propaganda.  Like a virus, they are activated outside the exhibition context, in domestic and public spaces, on bodies, clothes, bags...  This collection of take-away posters, manifestos, DIY kits, postcards, stickers, buttons and
multi-media projects will travel throughout the country, creating a space to build relationships and foster dialogue around the desperate state of affairs resulting from a calamitous administration, complacent congressional leaders and a  disempowered citizenry.

MODES OF ENCOUNTER:

In parallel to the take-away work on display, the exhibition will be structured as a succession of modes of encounter orchestrated by interested volunteers. Utilizing the exhibition parameters as a site of social experimentation, this open-ended program of conversations, workshops and performances will solicit the active and reciprocal participations of visitor and artist alike, thereby inviting reflection on how communities become connected, alliances selected, coalitions established. Those interested in participating for one of the remaining empty slots are encouraged to email DEMOspacedirector@verizon.net for more information.

PARTICIPANTS:

Avi Alpert, Katja Aglert, Alas (Randy Wallace & Rae Culbert), Eric Anglès, Shinsuke Aso, Steve Ausbury, Mark Bechtel, David Bench, Lindsay Benedict, Mary Billyou, Jody Buchman, Center for Urban Pedagogy, Coco Rico, Heidi Cunningham, Solidad Decosta, DJ Lightbolt, Feel Tank Chicago, Andrea Domesle, Von Edwards, Sarah Ferguson, Dara
Greenwald & Steve Lambert & Josh MacPhee & the Anti Advertising Agency, Benj Gerdes, Patrick Grenier, Tamar Guimaraes, Sarah Kanouse & Tianna Kennedy & Lee Azzerello, Caroline Kelley, Scott Kiernan, Rosamond S. King, Anné M. Klint, The League of Imaginary Scientists, Norene Leddy with Ed Bringas, Erin Ming Lee,  Let's Re-Make, Runo Lagomarsino, Ilya Lipkin, Lizabeth Douglas Minkler, Carlos Motta,
Huong Ngo, elin o'Hara slavick, Sreshta Rit Premnath, Sheila Pinkel, Jenny Polak, Nancy Popp, Jeremy Eilers & Davis Rhodes & Nic Xedro, Anthony Rayson, John Richey, Eva Rossof, Stephanie Rothenberg, Edward Schexnayder, Dorothy Schultz, Heath Schultz & Brad Thomson, Robert Samel Snyderman, Gordon Winiemko, Carrie Yury, Xtine, among others

Refer to http://desperationexhibition.blogspot.com/ for more
information about the national tour.

DEMO Space 122 will officially open in 2009. A parallel exhibition space to the PS122 Art Gallery, DEMO Space 122 (located on the 2nd floor) is a not-for-profit organization that catalyzes new futures for contemporary artistic production with programs that utilize the intimate and participatory setting of a former classroom as a site for inquiry and process. Envisioned to be a laboratory for community
participation, DEMO Space 122 seeks to further the mission of PS 122 Art Gallery by providing cross cultural dialog and a venue for art exhibitions and social activism.