To Believe

Curated by Jeffrey Walkowiak for Visual AIDS

David Cannon Dashiell, Robert Flack, Frank Haines, Rachel Harrison, Ben Judd, Susan MacWilliam, Joanna Malinowska, Shana Moulton, Bede Murphy, Jeanine Oleson, Clifford Smith, Spirit Tours (Dave Hardy & Siebren Versteeg), Scott Treleaven.

Opening Reception: Thursday, June 3 from 6-9 PM

Performance by Jeanine Oleson at 8 PM: I Ran Contraband Spirituality

Jeanine Oleson's combines her interest in communal activities such as singing and rituals with cultural politics and spiritual in this new performance work created specifically for To Believe. Taking Joan Quigley, the controversial astrologer during the Reagan era as her impetus, Oleson translates the unfolding of what became an infamous altercation through the platform of musical theater and karaoke. A duet performed by Allen Frame as Donald Regan, former Chief of Staffand and Susana Manzana as Joan Quigley, the Reagan’s astrologer.

Spirit Tours 2010

Dave Hardy and Siebren Versteeg's collaboration Spirit Tours investigates the notion of a journey through a variety of simulated experiences. For To Believe, the duo have created a project likened to an "out-of-body experience" where participants are able to be in two locations at the same time. The residual work for the show will document this project as a ghostly remnant.

SUNDAY, June 6 from 4-6 PM

Screening of works by Ben Judd, Shana Moulton & Scott Treleaven

The work of Shana Moulton exists in a New Age world teeming with bright colors, self-help therapeutic products and soul-soothing decor. Her characters waver between skepticism and belief and exhaust a slew of psychic and physical improvement regimens that comment on contemporary mainstream’s endless need for self-improvement.

Scott Treleaven incorporates the visual language of the occult and the polytheistic as a means of capturing moments of discovery.

Ben Judd occupies the role of participant and observer in his exploration of specific groups and individuals who hold their own rules and belief systems. He engages with clairvoyants and shaman and recreates pagan rituals as a means of translating a ritualistic activity based on belief into a moving image.

SUNDAY, June 6 from 7-10 PM

After Party fund-raiser at Eastern Bloc, 505 E 6th Street, NYC. $10 suggested donation. Proceeds benefit Visual AIDS

ADDITIONAL SCREENINGS/PERFORMANCES

Sunday June 13 from 4 - 6 PM: Screening of works by Susan MacWilliam

Sunday June 20 from 4 - 6 PM: Unarius Screening hosted by Bebe Murphy

Sunday June 27 from 4 - 6 PM: Performance by Ben Judd and Blanco & Noiry