The artists of Illumiere created a magically surreal environment. Live atmospheric elements were provided by IXIA, Karen Eason shared her photography, and Oliver Halsman Rosenberg provided an installation regarding Time. Something Else Performance Duo provided illuminated human sculptures and Rococo Risqué performed throughout the night as peaceful human energy creatures along with stilt creature Cassidy Haley. Blake More with The Love and the Light premiered a new movement play, The Opening with live vocals, spoken word and poetry. Sterling performances by Kore, Lacey Field and Myrfy Stevens accented the atmosphere while Jason Gilmore painted a 8'x11' canvas with the entire night set to a smooth mix of ambient, trance, and house music spun by well-known San Francisco music veteran, DJ Polywog.
Bay Area stage veteran, Dan Chumley, San Francisco Mime Troupe observed, "The environment was like ascending directly into a Fellini film," referring to a highly acclaimed independent film maker known for his surreal landscapes and colorful tapestries.
Another attendee, San Francisco resident Colleen Bary, was especially impressed by the variety of performances along with the time and effort donated by the more than 20 participating artists. " I was astounded at the commitment when I learned that most of the artists had been practicing for weeks. But then again, it definitely paid off, and it showed. The performances varied and were well choreographed and executed. It was extremely entertaining and I'll definitely be back to see what they come up with in February!"
Other performers at the event included Tim Wooster, Illumiere co-founder, and the critically acclaimed Bay Area poet, Blake More. Mr. Wooster spent most of the night insulated in a warm, colorful "cocoon" of fur and body paint completely immersed in character and motion art. " It is an amazing feeling to lose yourself in a movement creature like this for 5 hours straight in itself. But when you're able to reach out and share in such a powerful collaborative effort of art, theater, dance and music mixed with the warmest crowd I've ever performed for - it was just beyond any expectation we'd had." said Wooster. " People were smiling, stimulated and really enjoying themselves. And that was our primary goal. We wanted to create a plane where people could let go of the outside world and get lost in the beauty of this new environment we created. Everyone there seemed to respond to the newness of the concept, because there's not too many other places in town where you can find this level and depth of energy on a Tuesday night."
Illumiere was created by Wooster, Hall, and vocalist Stevens in an effort to pioneer a unique and expressive medium of art in San Francisco's proud heritage of innovative performance. Created as a direct response to the sagging local economy and a nation at war with terrorism, Illumiere stands as a shinning beacon intended to unify artists and reclaim San Francisco's vibrant tradition of free expression and art.
"Illumiere is not only a performance, it is a culture and a feeling," noted Illumiere co-founder Myrfy Stevens. " Mixing the mediums of social atmosphere and performance landscape, we are attempting to break through the restrictions of traditional performance to create a unique form of artistic expression. This is truly an Integrated Performance Environment, where we can all come together and in doing so, plant the seed from which a New Era of Art and Consciousness can grow."
Illumiere will continue its run at Café Du Nord (2170 Market St.) on Tuesday, February 26, with the theme entitled: Experience Yourself as The Source. The club will continue the last Tuesday of every month through June. Cover charge is $10 at the door, with all proceeds donated directly to the artists. Doors open at 9 pm and close at 2 am. Feel free to contact illumiere@hotmail.com or 415-861-5016 for more information.
------------------
PRESS CONTACT
Miche Hall 415-564-6216
back to top
Photo Tour >>
|
