Being both a historian and a journalist, there is nothing I like better than delving through New York University’s primary source material. So NYU’s Fales Library’s latest exhibit, “A Sanctuary for the Arts: Judson Memorial Church and the Avante Garde, 1954-1977” made me feel like a kid in a candy store.
I’m sorry, I think my nerd is showing.
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| Courtesy of Peter McDowell Online |
Marvin Taylor, the Director of Fales Library, led me and my journalism class through the exhibit, which is located on the third floor of Bobst Library at 70 Washington Square South. The exhibit will run from October 28, 2010 to January 7, 2011 and includes videos of ground-breaking performances, pamphlets, flyers, and other artwork.
There is something somewhat disturbing about watching people, clad only in underwear, move, dance and interact with raw meat. Despite this element, “Meat Joy”, choreographed by Carolee Schneemann, also holds its own brand of brilliance unique to the avante garde art of Judson.
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| Photo of John Sex Courtesy of Andewhyland.com |
Another dance, “The People’s Flag Show” included people wearing ONLY the American flag hanging loosely from their necks. The piece was a commentary on the Vietnam War and the church’s minister, Howard Moody, was arrested for the controversial dance.
Perhaps my favorite part was a video-recorded, CNN interview of John Sex, a performance artist whose long, white-blonde hair stood straight up with what I imagine took an entire bottle of hair gel. The look on the news anchor’s face when being confronted with Sex was priceless.
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