Contact: Wendy Tremayne For Immediate Release
[email protected] August 18, 2004
917 991 3309
The VOMITORIUM
Make Room for More!
New York, New York - On August 17th, 2004 from 7:30pm to 9:30pm
New York City^Os St. Marks Church was home to The Vomitorium, a
performance/political action created by three local artists and their
cast and crew of 60+ volunteers (http://vomitorium2004.org ). This event
kicked off HOWL! Festival of East Village Arts Avant Garde(n) Series.
A response to the New and Improved American Empire, The Vomitorium is a
theatrical performance, modeled after the opulent parties of the Roman
Empire, where guests engage in consuming astounding amounts of food and,
when stuffed to the limit, vomit so that they may gorge themselves again
and again. For one evening the performers and audience were transported
to those long-gone days of decadence in order to reflect on the fate
that eventually befell the Roman Empire, and heed the warning signs of
history repeating in the current decline of the American Republic.
The Vomitorium was created by three New York City based artists:
Wendy Tremayne, (http://gaiatreehouse.com ), Marina Potok
(http://marinapotok.com ), and Dawn Ladd (http://auroralampworks.com
). With an open call for participation, they began recruiting cast and
crew in June, inviting all and any to express their feelings about
imperialism through roles such as: Romans (paralleling contemporary
influential Americans), servants, live statues, entertainers or to create
roles of their own. The artists then structured The Vomitorium into a
2 hour loosely-scripted theatrical performance. During the evening,
each performer, through their chosen character, expressed their views
on the subject within the architecture of the piece.
The set was furnished with props and art created by volunteer local
artists. Fire spinners, a belly dancer, and a violinist entertained the
Romans and audience while the feast took place. Since the performance was
politically motivated, members of Mass Defense Committee volunteered
to support the performance with legal advice and legal observers.
A volunteer EMT was also on staff to ensure the safety of the performers
and audience.
A documentary style, short film about The Vomitorium is being created
by Marina Potok. The artists have hopes of showing the film later in
the year. Still photography is also being prepared for exhibition.
During the performance hand stamped vomit bags containing the playbill
for the show were distributed to the audience.
MORE:
http://vomitorium2004.org
Contact: For High Resolution Images, Interviews etc.
Wendy Tremayne (917) 991-3309, [email protected]
Vomitorium - Make Room for More!
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Type: discussion