SPANE: Screening of Performance Art in the Natural Environment

  • An Evening of Performance & Video Curated by Johannes Zits & Lindsey Allgood
  • Saturday, August 3, 4 PM Performances 5 PM Pleasure Picnic 7:30 SPANE Video Programme
  • @ Artscape Gibraltar Point, Toronto Island Artscape Gibraltar Point is a 20-minute walk east from either Hanlan’s Point or west from the Centre Island ferry docks. For the complete Toronto Ferry Schedule, visit www.toronto.ca/parks/island/ferry-schedule.htm.




Part of Summer 2013


Pleasure Dome and Johannes Zits are pleased to co-present the third edition of SPANE: Screening of Performance Art in the Natural Environment. Organized and curated by by Johannes Zits and Lindsey Allgood, this programme of international works features performance and live art in which the performers engage with natural elements, forces and spaces.

Working, performing and being in nature is inspiring. It can spark the imagination and create the potential for an action. Capturing ephemeral moments through performance opens the opportunity for its poignancy to be revisited and shared. Curator Lindsey Allgood (USA) and co-presenter Johannes Zits (Canada) present a diverse mix of works where the performers are interacting with uncultivated or rural surroundings. Video works by Miguel Angel Melgares (Netherlands), the Canadians Rachelle Beaudoin and Michael Stecky, artists from across the United States, Brian Zegeer, Ellen Mueller, Darryl Lauster, Daniel Coburn, Kyle Thompson, Carrie Dashow, Julie Wills, Malena Bergmann and VestAndPage (Verena Stenke [Germany] and Andrea Pagnes [Italy]).

SPANE screening will take place alongside live performances starting at 4:00 PM by Artscape participants that are the culmination of a week’s residency led by Montreal-based artist Victoria Stanton.
From 5:00 to 7:30 PM visitors can enjoy a Pleasure Picnic and take advantage of the time on the island and enjoy the beach between events. Complimentary grilled delights including vegetarian fare will be served. The SPANE video screening takes place from 7:30 to 10:00 PM.

Artscape, Gibraltar Point is a 20-minute walk or 10-minute bike ride east from Hanlan’s Point or west from the Centre Island ferry docks. For the complete ferry schedule visit Toronto Ferry Schedule www.toronto.ca/parks/island/ferry-schedule.htm.


. Van transportation service back to Hanlan’s Point dock available after the screening.

7:30 PM SPANE Video Programme:

Miguel Angel Melgares (Netherlands), Portrait of a wet country III
3 min. 15 sec. sound, color
Amsterdam siren on beach

Brian Zegeer (New York, USA), a Poetics of Ditch-Digging
5 min. video
stop motion ditch/moss suit

Ellen Mueller (West Virginia, USA), Manifest Destiny I
3 min. 15 sec. sound, color
Woman in cheer outfit pushing cart in desert

Rachelle Beaudoin (Canada), Natural Woman
2 min. 14 sec. sound, color
poll dance in forest

Darryl Lauster (Texas, USA), backstory
7 min. 8 sec., sound, color
petting chicken

Daniel Coburn (Kansas, USA), Communion
4 min. sound, color
in desert, paint, black egg

Kyle Thompson (Oregon, USA), Group Theory/ We’re Having Much More Fun
19 min. 14 sec. sound, color video
Boards in water

–INTERMISSION (15 minutes)—

Malena Bergmann (North Carolina, USA), Fleeting
10 min. Sound, color, film
River with strings tied to her, nude

Verena Stenke (Germany) Andrea Pagnes (Italy), Performances at the Core of the Looking Glass
trimmed 10 min. section
Surreal with ice

Carrie Dashow (New York, USA), The Great Convergence
3 min. 16 sec. sound, color, video
Nude dance in snow

Julie Wills (Colorado, USA), Marie Antionette in America: Portrait
3 min. sound, color

Michael Stecky (Canada), To All Compass Points in Direction
2 min. sound, color
swing in blizzard

Total length 72:15

Van transportation service back to Hanlan’s Point dock available after the screening.