After years of ABSOLUTELY ADORING the artwork of visual/performance artist Nick Cave, I finally had the opportunity to see his work live.
((Click here to watch the official video of the amazing performance))
((Click here to watch the official video of the amazing performance))
Having this experience of seeing a Nick Cave performance was above and beyond what words can even begin to describe. Since this day, I have thought about the artwork every single day. I have excitedly told many friends, fellow teachers and students about the amazing experience. I have been online trying to find current/future exhibits of his suits so I can travel to see them (no luck).
The first half of this performance was high energy. The people in the suits were dancing while a drum line played vibrant, upbeat music. The dancers were so close to the audience that I could reach out and touch the suits. I also danced along with them at one point. Lucky for me, before the show began, I heard someone say that the performance was going toe tart back down a hall to the side. My friend Shonie and I took advantage of this inside news and went down the end of the hall. This meant that we were the first to see the performers begin and I got a few great pictures before they really became immersed in the crowd.
Words can not describe the joy that I felt during this portion of the show. My favorite part about Nick Cave performances is that the viewer has no idea what the dancer's age, gender, race.... and the best part...IT DOESN'T MATTER!
This art screams community and joy.
The first half of this performance was high energy. The people in the suits were dancing while a drum line played vibrant, upbeat music. The dancers were so close to the audience that I could reach out and touch the suits. I also danced along with them at one point. Lucky for me, before the show began, I heard someone say that the performance was going toe tart back down a hall to the side. My friend Shonie and I took advantage of this inside news and went down the end of the hall. This meant that we were the first to see the performers begin and I got a few great pictures before they really became immersed in the crowd.
Words can not describe the joy that I felt during this portion of the show. My favorite part about Nick Cave performances is that the viewer has no idea what the dancer's age, gender, race.... and the best part...IT DOESN'T MATTER!
This art screams community and joy.
The second half of the performance had a whole new different energy to it. This half was very slow paced and gave me all sorts of feelings.
I'm not even sure that it is worth trying to explain this portion of the performance but I will do my best.
During this half, a man sat on the stage playing a very slow, chill in organ piece. It all began with Nick Cave himself and six others slowly and seemingly emotionlessly joining the stage in white jackets and gloves. Next, seven gentlemen entered the stage, found a stool scattered around and slowly underdressed themselves down to the underwear and had a seat. The people in white spent the next 40 minutes slowly and meticulously adding amazing, beautiful soundsuit 'accessories' to the men.
With the music, the slow movements of the people in white, and the quiet intent viewing by the audience, this was a truly insightful, thought-provoking time. I am not sure what the meaning of this performance was but ever since I witnessed it, I have been trying to figure it out. Invoked were thoughts of weddings, slavery, fashion, and pop culture. What an interesting variety of things to cross my mind and to ponder.
After the men were fully dressed and the empty tables removed from the stage, each man slowly stood up and walked about the stage. Their movements were deliberate and very, very slow. The suits that they wore were extremely heavy, that was obvious after watching the process and seeing them move.
One by one, the men exited the stage via a ramp to the side and slowly left from the same entrance that the show originally began.
I'm not even sure that it is worth trying to explain this portion of the performance but I will do my best.
During this half, a man sat on the stage playing a very slow, chill in organ piece. It all began with Nick Cave himself and six others slowly and seemingly emotionlessly joining the stage in white jackets and gloves. Next, seven gentlemen entered the stage, found a stool scattered around and slowly underdressed themselves down to the underwear and had a seat. The people in white spent the next 40 minutes slowly and meticulously adding amazing, beautiful soundsuit 'accessories' to the men.
With the music, the slow movements of the people in white, and the quiet intent viewing by the audience, this was a truly insightful, thought-provoking time. I am not sure what the meaning of this performance was but ever since I witnessed it, I have been trying to figure it out. Invoked were thoughts of weddings, slavery, fashion, and pop culture. What an interesting variety of things to cross my mind and to ponder.
After the men were fully dressed and the empty tables removed from the stage, each man slowly stood up and walked about the stage. Their movements were deliberate and very, very slow. The suits that they wore were extremely heavy, that was obvious after watching the process and seeing them move.
One by one, the men exited the stage via a ramp to the side and slowly left from the same entrance that the show originally began.
Talk about a magical experience.
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