Seventh Regiment Armory’s First Ever Performance Art
September 17th, 2007
Robert Stolarik for The New York Times
Tonight, 500 invitees (including members of Hell’s Angels) will have the privilege of viewing the first performance art piece to ever be shown in the Seventh Regiment Armory in the 128 years of its history. Artist Aaron Young choreographed a show of 10 motorcyclists riding around the hall at the same time on top of 288 plywood panels painted with layers of fluorescent colors and topped with black acrylic. The piece, entitled “Greeting Card” after a Jackson Pollock painting, is funded by a $150,000 budget with sponsors such as fashion designer Tom Ford and auction house Sotheby’s.
As the synchronized stunt riders, outfitted in Tom Ford sunglasses, ride over the panels, their tire burnouts will reveal the colorful layers beneath the black acrylic, sometimes leaving behind bits of rubber tire. Young will coat 20 chosen panels with clear resin to protect the rubber, and those panels will be sold through the Art Production Fund for a 50/50 split.
But with all the haze and smoke, how will the spectators see what’s going on the floor below? Neon lights attached to the bottom of the motorcycles will illuminate their paths and zigzagging, as well as the colors coming through on the plywood.
According to Carol Vogel’s article in the New York Times, when Young first started talks with the Art Production Fund at Miami Basel, a New York showing of this piece seemed improbable. Then they heard about the Armory’s search for projects and planning started. “[Rebecca Robertson's] reaction was, ‘Bring it on’,” said Yvonne Force Villareal, who co-founded the Fund with Doreen Remen.
The exhibit will be available for public view beginning tomorrow, September 18th, 10am-6pm. Tickets are free, but reservations are required. Visit the Seventh Regiment Armory Conservancy’s website for more information.
After Test Runs, an Armory is Ready to Declare, ‘Artists, Start Your Engines’ [NYTimes]
