Doug Edge Fun Addict 1972

light and the colorful emotions of capricious perceptions within the land-locked constraints of fabricating “permanent” objects out of fragile, breakable materials.

The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo performed at the opening. Lori Erenberg did a striptease in a gorilla costume and Marie Elfman did a Dietrich number -- two of several wonderful acts that performed.

However, when it comes to art -- humor and exuberant display are not always appreciated-- especially in the rarefied atmosphere of Conceptualism. To Edge it’s just another element artists can use to get their point across. He likes to make art that is exciting to think about AND to look at. Back in 1968, for example, Edge made the BEAUDRY CHAIR. He didn’t feel like inventing another new shape after the current shape and mold he had been working with had run its course and wanted to see if he could imbue a common object with a fresh beauty and an emotional punch.

“Leaving it with no seat made it absurd and the Atom Bomb image silk screened on the back added the ultimate absurdity.” It was being shown again in the Pacific Standard Time / Eugenia Butler-inspired survey show “Perpetual Conceptual” in 2012 at the time of this writing. And then of course there was the EARTH, SEED AND WATER BUS BENCH containing water, soil and grass seed, all ready to become life if the piece were ever to be destroyed. A bus bench is a place where people wait for the bus. On Edge’s bench, it is the elements of nature that are waiting to go home.