The first program dedicated to the discussion and exploration of various themes in Performance Art, TALKaCTIVE, begins its 2018 season series with the presentations of “Performing Gender.”  This month’s conversation focuses on the works of guest artists who explore aspects of identity and corporeal resistance, while addressing performative notions of “feminine” / “masculine” embodiment. Their investigation of GENDER and Gender Based Actions in today’s socio-political climate reference, and express modalities of the performative. The presentation of documentation of  works will be followed by a panel conversation and Q&A with  attending audience.

Guest Artists

IV CASTELLANOS is an abstract performance artist and sculptor based in Brooklyn, NY. They have performed at the Queens Museum, Gruentaler9 (Berlin), DFBRL8R (Chicago), Grace Exhibiton Space, IV Soldiers, Dixon Place, PPL, Gallery Sensei and Rosekill (Kingston, NY). They founded the F.A.G. (Feminist Art Group), 2016 with co-founder Esther Neff, which has alternating performers.

MARCELLINE is an interdisciplinary performance, sound and video artist currently based out of Philadelphia. Born in Cameroon, Marcelline often explores the spiritual nature of self-determination — often finding balance in response to the immediate community and in reflection of the tools present in the environment to facilitate the process of healing. Marcelline is currently working on cultivating Black joy from within so that they can help share that vibration with others more freely.

About the Program 

TALKaCTIVE is a new program that fosters dialogue and exchange among Live Action  Art practitioners, encourages commentary about Performance Art, and  prompts reflection about performative processes, methodologies, and  styles. Every session is organized around a relevant topic in  Performance Art, and the presentation of works by a group of selected  artists who share their work, discuss their approach to Live Art, and  engage in open conversation with critics, curators, and attending  audience. The monthly series consists of a presentation, panel, and open  Q&A session where participating artists screen documentation of  their work, a curator or critic contextualizes the works presented, and a  moderator mediates the exchange of information and resources.  TALKaCTIVE is an independent initiative created and organized by artist  Hector Canonge. Hosted at the Queens Museum, the monthly series is free  of charge and open to the general public.

About the Curator / Moderator

HECTOR CANONGE (creator and curator of  TALKaCTIVE) is an interdisciplinary artist, curator, media educator and  cultural entrepreneur based in New York City. His work incorporates the  use of new media technologies, cinematic narratives, Live Action Art,  and Social Practice to explore and treat issues related to constructions  of identity, gender roles, psychogeography, and the politics of  migration. He has exhibited and presented broadly in the United States,  Latin America, Europe and Asia. As cultural entrepreneur, Canonge  created and directs the annual Performance Art Festival of NYC,  ITINERANT. Among his cultural and artistic initiatives, he started the  programs: ARTerial Performance Lab (APLAB), an project to foster  collaboration among performance artists from the Americas, PERFORMEANDO,  a program that focuses on featuring Hispanic performance artists living  in the USA, NEXUSURNEXUS a virtual platform for Live Action Art, and  PERFORMAXIS, an international residency program in collaboration with  galleries and art spaces in Latin America. After living abroad for  almost 3 years, Canonge returned to the USA in late 2015 to continue  with his projects, exhibitions, and presentations: TALKaCTIVE,  performance art series, CONVIVIR, international residency program at his  new space, MODULO 715 in Jackson Heights, Queens, and LiVEART.US a  program focusing on featuring artists exploring live art . The artist is  currently at work for his upcoming presentations in the city.

Contact: TALKaCTIVE

Featured Image: IV Castellanos, “Battering ram tube for a performer to enter and carve their way out.”