For the fifth consecutive year, Pratt Manhattan Gallery will welcome back the election season with Pratt Falls, a free cabaret of political satire at 7 PM on October 30 and November 6, at 144 West 14th Street, Second Floor. The cabaret is produced by political satirist Larry Litt, who is best known for his work on the political television series, The Blame Show. All events are free and open to the public and produced in conjunction with the exhibition, Party Headquarters: Art in the Age of Political Absurdity, curated by Eleanor Heartney and Larry Litt, on view through November 10, 2012.
The exhibition and surrounding events draw attention to the social consequences of greed, the corrosive effects of money and religion in politics, the dire state of the environment, the contradictory aspirations embodied by the American Dream, and the destructive outcome of unquestioning faith in American exceptionalism.
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Artichoke Dance Company's Plastic People of the Universe
Tuesday, October 30; performance begins at 7 PM
Pratt Manhattan Gallery, 144 West 14th Street, Second Floor
Plastic People of the Universe examines the nature and exponential growth in our use of plastics. This deconstructed version of the work, originally created for a theatrical stage, is placed in a visual art gallery within a set created from 5,000 plastic six-pack holders, which is dismantled during the performance leaving the gallery littered with plastic.
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Dancing to Democracy Election Night Watch Party
Tuesday, November 6, 7–9:30 PM
Pratt Manhattan Gallery, 144 West 14th Street, Second Floor
Guests will dance or cry as election night results are broadcast in the gallery. The event will celebrate the electoral process and the closing of the exhibition Party Headquarters: Art in the Age of Political Absurdity.
Larry Litt, democracy activist, political humorist, and Pratt Falls producer, will M.C. the program, which will include performances by Lee Camp, comedian, writer, actor, and activist, from Laughing Liberally and many other television, institutional, and club credits (http://leecamp.net); Mike Richison, a multimedia artist who utilizes a variety of approaches to graphic design, video, sculpture, printmaking, drawing, and installation (http://www.mikerichison.com); artists from Occupy Wall Street, and surprise guests. Dancing is encouraged between performances, and refreshments will be served.
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Pratt Falls 2012 kicked off on October 16 with a wild night of Fast Food Horror Stories and Foodoo Rituals. Attendees shared vegan burgers while talking art and food politics, and went home with a free vegan burger recipe book.
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Party Headquarters: Art in the Age of Political Absurdity
September 28–November 10, 2012
Pratt Manhattan Gallery
144 West 14th Street, Second Floor
Gallery Hours: Monday–Saturday, 11 AM-6 PM; Thursdays, 11 AM-8 PM
Image: Suspicious Package performing at Election Night Watch Party 2008. Photo Courtesy of Pratt Manhattan Gallery.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Amy Aronoff at 718-636-3554 or aarono29@pratt.edu