Jeremy Wade | There is no end to more.

As part of New Media, we were required to attend a performance at the Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center in Albany, NY. I don't think myself, and the group I was with were ready for what we were about to experience.

It was a small theatre, with stadium seating and a small center stage. The backdrop of the stage was minimal, but interestingly shaped. Also on stage was a small, white house, resembling Snoopy's home. The performance began with a voice projecting through the speakers, and a small man standing, his back turned to us, hunched over on stage. What unfolded over the next 45 minutes was confusing, multi-sensory and slightly disturbing.

As an artist, who does not practice performance art, i could appreciate the interpretive dancer's ability to perform onstage. He had great muscle/body control and looked very well rehearsed. However, having surround sound audio at the same time as an interpretive dancer, it made it difficult to focus on one thing. I was unable to comprehend the audio because i was too distracted by the interpretive dancing. There were particular movements that looked like they were mimicking the audio, but the dancer generally looked like he was under the influence of some heavy drugs.

After watching the entire show, i found some themes/critiques amongst the chaos of the performance.

1. Consumerism

2. Mass Media

3. Pop Culture

4. Symbolism

The list could go on, but initially we thought this was a commentary on japanese culture, however the themes and images are common in mainstream America also.

As far as relating this to New Media, it was interesting to see how the artists married video,audio and performance. In the beginning we assumed we were attending a performance about animae and japanese culture, however we assumed wrong.

http://www.empac.rpi.edu/events/2010/spring/wade/