On the Scroll
Multimedia performance artist Mitchel Ahern has
block-printed a 20-yard long illuminated fabric scroll of the first
paragraph of Jack Kerouac's On The Road. On September First the scroll
will be back-lit projected, and read aloud by Mitchel with musical and
movement accompaniment. Music by Walter Wright on synthesizer and
Mitchel Ahern on invented instruments; movement by Joe Burgio and Paul
Kafka-Gibbons.
Click here to download the program:
Download OnTheScrollProgram.pdf
Click here to download a video of the reading of the scroll:
Download scroll.mov
Performances:
Gallery 119 in Lowell, MA
Redtail Gallery in Boston, MA
The Schoolhouse in Brooklyn, NY
Perky Pat Layouts
Perky Pat Layouts is a multimedia performance art piece which combines
elements of free improvisation, distributed composition, dance,
performance art and live video manipulation. The story is inspired by
the Mars of Philip K Dick which explores the origin of a role playing
game Martian settlers use to fight off the boredom of living on a
desolate and uninviting planet. Exploring themes of human isolation,
cybernetic intelligence and the fluidity of reality, Perky Pat Layouts
traces the voyage of the first Martian settlers to their new home, and
the life they will lead there.
The performance itself is both experimental and accessible. Written by
performance artist Mitchel Ahern, Perky Pat Layouts uses the talents
of Bob Jordan as writer and narrator to keep the audience connected to
the story as it unfolds. Movement artists Joe Burgio and Paul
Kafka-Gibbons interpret through movement and voice the characters
actions, accompanied by improvisational musicians Mitchel Ahern,
Walter Wright, Bob Jordan and Marc Bisson. Dei Xhrist explores the
cybernetic soul of the Martian machines through interpretive
performance art and camera while renowned video artist Walter Wright
illustrates all through his live video-shredding system.
Free Martha!
(or Martha Stewart in the Underworld)
Mitchel Ahern presents "Martha Stewart in the Underworld". Featuring interpretive monologues on readings by and about Martha Stewart, this solo performance reveals how Martha Stewart and the mythologies that surround her are modern illustrations of eternal archetypes. He will be accompanying himself on a suite of his self-invented instruments including: the Crutch, Springers, the ElectroLuxoPipeO'Phone, the Leaf Springoleon, the Hand-Made Record, and others. His hand cut block-printed "Free Martha" t-shirts will be available.
There are those who think I am defending Martha, and those that think I am belittling her. Neither is the case. What I am doing is revealing how Martha Stewart and the mythologies that surround her are modern illustrations of eternal archetypes. This is not presented in an academic manner, but as performance art, accompanied by sonic creations and hand-printed t-shirts. There may be humor involved.
The format of this performance is a mix of reading, interpretation and musical accompaniment. The readings include "Entertaining" by Martha Stewart, Annual Reports of the Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Corporation, police reports, AP news stories, court documents, and others.
For over 20 years I have been performing on electro-acoustic musical instruments that I have designed and built myself. Several of these will be featured during this performance, including:
- Leaf Springoleon: broken automotive and truck leaf springs whose rocking motion produces long-length rhythmic drones.
- Hand-Made Record: is a steel record album with a lock track groove that has been tooled by hand.
- Springers are various large springs, with amplification
- Crutch is an assortment of vintage toys and effects mounted to a crutch
- ElectroLuxoPipeO'Phone combines a vacuum cleaner and organ pipes and is played like a Theramin
Performances:
Marc Bisson's Gallery in Concord, New Hampshire, October 15, 2004
King Hooper Mansion in Marblehead Massachusetts, December 5, 2004
Zeitgesit Gallery in Cambridge, Massachusetts, February 3, 2005, 7-9 pm
Brewd Awakenings in Lowell, Mass
LTC Lowell Public Access in Lowell Mass
Press:
Boston Phoenix Pick of the Week
Boston Herald Review: Download martha_stewart_stage_review.pdf
