Art Tap Out is a live critique of four artists’ work in a ring that references forms of head to head combat such as boxing, Ultimate fighting and dog or cock fighting. Each artist has one twenty minute round against the critic/collaborator Kevin Freitas. Audience participation is strongly encouraged. As the ‘owner’ of the space I play the role of referee, keeping the discourse above the belt. See you at the fights!
Date: Dec 6, 2008Start Time: 7:00pm
Duration:
Location: Agitprop 2837 University Ave. North Park, San Diego, 92104 (off the corner of University and Utah. Entrance off Utah)
Tags: body, criticism, dialogue, fighting, intention, object, performance, public, referee
One Comment
By structuring his performance as a head to head combat sporting event, David White tears down the ivory tower aspect of art making and criticism. While the event mirrors the social mechanisms of the art world itself, its down to earth nature allows the audience to play a more direct and significant role in the process. Everyone who agrees to step into this “social arena” is taken out of their comfort zone and forced to face unique challenges.
Both artist and critic relinquish the ability to offer carefully polished statements. At times this set up leads them to fumble awkwardly for the right words, but it also offers them the opportunity to articulate fresh ideas on the spot. By poking fun of everyone involved, the event succeeds in humanizing interactions with and around art. In the end, the real winners are the audience members themselves, who, by being implicated in this performance, get an opportunity to be engaged with art-an experience that is far too rare in this town.
By Mauricio Chernovetzky