Is the future of conceptual art in the metaverse? Check out this video recording of "Losin' It", an eerie, contemplative, visually arresting performance art piece from the Second Front arts group. Were you in the East Village right about now, you could catch a live show like this in a warehouse space. But then, the economy being what it is, you might balk at the suggested entry fee, and the production values wouldn't be half as impressive. (Even assuming the artists could secure enough grant money to put it on.) And why should experiences like these be restricted to art patrons who can afford to live in Manhattan, anyway?
An international company of performers, Second Front has been operating in-world since 2006-- here's a good interview with them in Rhizome-- and the show was recorded by the multi-talented Osprey Therian, who shot it in Kirsten's Shadowdraft, bringing dynamic light and darkness to the strange proceedings. Hat tip, of course, to Ms. Bettina Tizzy.
I don't know if this is the future of performance art, but it definitely shows how the platform of Second Life can extend such art. Being able to do almost anything, including alter your physical form, raises the bar tremendously for such art forms.
Posted by: Harper Ganesvoort | Sunday, April 05, 2009 at 08:13 AM