Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Artica

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Artica 3

And now for something completely different. There is a loose (and I mean loose) creative organization in this town know as Artica. From time to time it arranges open air events, often in a section of the old industrial-commercial wastelands north of the Arch. Its most recent event was last weekend. It was refreshing to go from the cleanliness, fitness and charitable intent of Pedal The Cause to a beer-swilling, near-anarchist creative exuberance of Artica. Yin must have yang.

Sunday afternoon brought a performance of the Celestial Theatre Company, a small troupe with a penchant for the absurd and florescent/blacklight costumes and props. This performance was called "While Nero Burns..." Above and below center, Natalie Toney provided sit-down narration while Bill Kranz and Mike Ketcher did stranger and stranger things. More over the next couple of days.

St. Louis has a reputation as being a little dull, a once-important industrial city that has become just another gray spot in flyover country. Well, it's not exactly so. We have our own deep layer of weirdness. Ain't it grand?

Artica 8

8 comments:

Olivier said...

jolie portrait, elle est très mignonne. ses créations sont très spéciales (j'ai regarde sur ton flickr), beaucoup d'imagination mais, peut être trouver dérangeant.

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

You attend more community events than anyone I know. One thing about a city such as St. Louis, it is large enough to have diversity, but not so large that it is too difficult to go the the places necessary to enjoy the diversity and community events. In places like Los Angeles or New York, there are more things to do, but most people do not attempt to do them because it is such a hassle to get to where ever the events are.

cieldequimper said...

Yin and Yang indeed but worth the while I imagine. Beautiful portrait (though I could imagine a pick up saloon! ;-))

William Kendall said...

The queen of hearts lost her tarts...

Nice contrast in the pics!

Virginia said...

Oh I"m LOL, this is your forte B. Only you could get all up in this weirdness!! I remember it from years past. Nope, The Lou is not dull in the least. We're still wearing that crown down here. I swear!
V

The Blackwood Cottage said...

Now I know which blog to go to for all of my "go to" needs.
Very cool.
machelle

Matt Pierson said...

that is great. the photos look way better than how it appeared in real life. everything felt so distant. even when I was right in person. nice, very nice

nathalie said...

Matt's comment above is interesting.

I love the idea of some weirdness peeking through a dull surface. I love that you are able to bring this to us!