pekoe

SO, I have a show this Monday, doing my spoken-word bit. I haven't been all that psyched-out about doing this performance as I was when I planned it months ago. On top of feeling not on top of my game, I get a call from the manager at the establishment where I'm doing my act. They give me the, this is public space and we need to be mindfull that people of all ages and sensitivities will be at the venue, spiel. Along with that she gives me her definition of shock art and how she believes there is a difference between "shock art" and "real art". This small town shit is really getting to me. I don't even know if the lady meant to make me feel this way but for fuck-sake I cuss like a pirate and talk about sex and politics; that's what I do. I'm trying to believe that her intentions were good and that she didn't mean to scare me off or make me feel like I needed to censor my art, but I can't help but feel that way. My intention is not to shock, but if that happens as a result of what I am reading I hope it also provokes thought. What's concidered shocking just seems soooo relative to me. Many of the things I do and believe in may shock people, regardless of the fact that those are not my intentions. Besides, I think my stuff is relatively tame compared to many of the artists I love. Karen Finley is one of my favorite performance artists, if you can rent Mondo New York in your town, I recomend seeing her naked glittered Body rant about patriarchy and capitalism. I saw it when I was 15 and it was one of the fiercest displays of female power, brilliance and insanity that I had ever witnessed. Her "shock art" was always being challenged and while I understand her act wasn't one for every audience, I most certainly would not reduce it to being only there for shock value.

I'm going to get off my soap-box cause my butt hurts and I must get off of my computer and get some shock treatment.