Get Out | Art
by Vikki Warner
Exhibits Get inspired at August’s artsy events by Dawn Keable Andrew W. K. in the video for “I Want to See You Go Wild”
Embrace the Bedlam Two Providence artists who want to see you go wild A little free-flowing insanity is the key to productivity. Or it was for Peter Glantz and James Quigley (a.k.a. Gunsho), two of the Providence artists whose weeks of work in a windowless, computer-filled room resulted in the blindingly fast, awesomely absurd music video for number one party advocate, musician and producer Andrew W.K.’s single, “I Want to See You Go Wild.” A combination of preparation and spontaneity, Glantz says, is what got them through. The end product is good-natured uproar, a state of blissful hysteria that was, come to think of it, produced in a similar state of mind. When Glantz, a director, filmmaker and performer who has created art prints, documentaries, music videos, one-man shows, and other less classifiable artwork, was tapped to direct the video for “I Want to See You Go Wild,” he thought of Quigley, whose drawings he’d seen around town for years, to provide the art. Glantz also invited Pittsburgh-based animator Thomas McConnell, with whom he’d worked on other projects, to make an extended trip to Providence to collaborate with them. Storyboards were created and preparations were made. But, as full-time work was about to get underway, this spring’s floods swept through, and Glantz’s Olneyville studio was suddenly under water. The group recouped, though, and found a local studio, Optic Sugar, where they established a proxy headquarters. Six weeks later, after 200-plus drawings and long hours of planning and animating, this fully Providence-produced video was born. The video’s concept is that W.K. has been kidnapped and may not make it to his show that night. As we quickly learn, though, a buoyant W.K. is being escorted to the show in style – by a roving, raving band of mis74
Providence Monthly | August 2010
chievous neon-colored characters. He’s safely deposited onstage, and his companions proceed to perform with him. Quigley’s nonsensical art is spot-on; it would be difficult to picture anyone else’s characters being so funny, so maniacal and yet so friendly; they’re reminiscent of the lowbrow 1980s comic books I wasn’t allowed to read. There’s also a bit of subversive imagery in the video; Quigley says they talked about including it early on, integrating everyone’s ideas and interpreting classic pop-conspiracy topics in a modern style. Glantz, who has made several videos for Providence’s Load Records, says he’s happy that viewers are examining music videos closely enough these days to notice such details. He says they’ve come back, taking the place of once-revered radio play, and are now getting respect as an art form, and not only as commercial vehicles. Glantz’s newly established, “legit” production company, The Imaginary Company, is poised to grab onto the possibilities of the genre. Of his vocation, he says, “It’s my dream coming true!” The Imaginary Company can be found at imaginarycompany.org. Peter Glantz will be performing his live video show, “Being Impossible,” at AS220’s Foo Fest on August 14. He’s also collaborating with Becky Stark to create slogan-based posters; the second one will be available in August and will be sold at Foo Fest and Ada Books. James Quigley, whose work is created under the name Gunsho, is halfway through his screenprint series of the 72 demons of the Goetia, a text that dates back to the 17th century. He’s also about to embark on a three-month artist-in-residence with RHD Rhode Island, a human services nonprofit. His blog is at scuzzdemon. blogspot.com.
Through August 4 Sure, colorful paintings, like Rebecca Jenness’ The Kaleidoscope Door, are a start. But what would really be nice is if the creativity carried over to your checking account. BankRI, Turks Head Gallery, One Turks Head Place. 456-5015, bankri.com.
August 5-8 Always... Patsy Cline is not only the musical narrative of a legendary country singer, but a tribute to more innocent times, where fans became friends not stalkers. Rhode Island Center for the Performing Arts at the Park Theatre, 848 Park Avenue, Cranston. 467-7275, ricpa.net.
August 19-28 The 60s may be long gone, but when you see pop culture icon Peter Max’s exhibit showcased in Providence you’ll be transported back to when psychedelic art was born. Gallery 17 Peck, 303 Atwells Avenue. 888-513-8385.
August 28 See a combination even better than peas and carrots at COMEX or BECAMUS, a visual and literary collaboration between Alexander Barton and Adam Anagnostis that will have you hypnotized. Machines With Magnets, 400 Main Street, Pawtucket. machineswithmagnets.com.
Through September 4 Hang ten at Surf Island: A Ride with Newport’s Surf Community, as photographer/ surfer Jason Evans captures the vibe, and that wipe-out you thought no one saw. Newport Art Museum, 76 Bellevue Avenue, Newport. 848-8200, newportartmuseum.org.