Retrospective Exhibitionist and Difficult Bodies is an emotionally charged evening of two works presented as a diptych, back to back. This evening looks at the two sides that are in every performance: what the performer presents and what the performer feels.
In Retrospective Exhibitionist, a landmark solo for Gutierrez, he shuttles through his own real and imagined performance history, excavating to find the vulnerability of what it is to be watched by others. Using a TV/VCR, boom box, mic and amp, video camera, and other simple props, Gutierrez looks at the merciless unraveling of time and its impact on live performance and a life spent on the stage.
In Difficult Bodies, Gutierrez continues his confrontation between performer and viewer. Three women move together in a simple formal design that makes the kinetic power of their bodies and their connection to each other unmistakable and immediate. Their insistent actions fill the space with the rhythms of attraction and repulsion, as they continually approach and resist the audience. Gutierrez creates the live music for the trio in which sounds and words are looped incessantly to create a symphonic, epic delirium.
Created by Miguel Gutierrez in collaboration with Anna Azrieli, Michelle Boulé, and Abby Crain
Music by U2, Interpol, Irene Cara, Kate Bush, Destiny’s Child, and Miguel Gutierrez
Text by Miguel Gutierrez, Reza Ali Shad Herati
Lighting by Lenore Doxsee
Set/Video by Miguel Gutierrez (my dad), MG, and two unknown videographers
Costumes are performers’ own clothing and the dresses are from Beacon’s Closet