i.e. opening Ross Moreno & Justin Cooper performs
Posted by BootsCAS on November 9th, 2009 | No Comments »
There was a great turn out for last nights opening for i.e. presents: The 7th Annual Midwestern Assorted Produce Snuff Shorts Film Triennial at Boots Contemporary Art Space. The show consists of several video installations by the artists that make up the loose collective i.e. which includes Benjamin Bellas, Clinton King, Noelle Mason, Magda Wong, Justin Cooper and Ross Moreno.
At Friday nights opening there were two performances by artists Justin Cooper and Ross Moreno that were a stark contrast to the last opening Holiness: in 3 parts by Theaster Gates in which a poet, church choir and the Black Monks of the Mississippi moved the audience with up lifting charismatic music inspired by the black church. Cooper and Moreno moved the audience as well but in a much more combative and confrontational way. The audience was left feeling uncomfortable and slightly confused.
Ross Moreno started the evening off with a bang; dressed in a rainbow clown wig, suspenders and a Speedo, he attempted to break the Guinness World Record for the “Most Balloon Animals Twisted in One Hour.” It became clear during the performance that Moreno was not prepared to accomplish his goal. He struggled to twist balloons into dogs, flowers and other unrecognizable forms. Balloons exploded and deflated flying across the gallery as a timer counted down the hour. At one point he gave up and stormed out, only to be coaxed back by a supportive audience. The tension and frustration built till finally Moreno completely defeated and extremely agitated unleashed his anger toward the spectators. “I twist for tips”, he yelled which made some members of the audience question whether they were supposed to actually tip him money for the performance. Moreno was inspired by balloon animals as entertainment and regulary appearing at IHOP to perform for customers while they wait for their food.
In the second performance, Justin Cooper came out to a wild round of applause generated in part by a recording coming from speakers and by people in the crowd. Just as the host of a late night talk show or comedy club would give thanks and appreciations, Cooper encouraged the show of hands. After this went on for several minutes he tried to quiet the audience down so he could deliver his performance, but just as things started to settle, a few the people in the audience would generate another round of applause and cheering. This went on for five or six minutes till it became apparent that Cooper was becoming frustrated and annoyed that he was unable to proceed. He tried to remain composed and would once again thank the audience allowing the applause to continue for a few more minutes. As the crowd began to catch on and more people started clapping, Cooper became irate, screaming at us to stop, begging us to please shut up, which only caused more applause. This felt like it could go on all night with no end and certainly could have, till Cooper finally broke character, laughed and thanked the people in the gallery.
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