On the surface Crotch is about art, its histories, and its heroes. Deeper, a sadness grows, a queer melancholy. Moving across a stage full of sculpture, Hennessy references the images and actions of the legendary artist Joseph Beuys, embodying his shamanic beliefs and channeling this mythic figure in a solo performance. With music ranging from Emmy Lou Harris to Nirvana, Crotch is a song, a dance, a lecture, and a conversation with the dead. True to Beuys’ legacy and Hennessy’s improvisational practice, Chaos through Play becomes Form.

In conjunction with PICA Symposium: Bodies, Identities & Alternative Economies, a weekend of performances, discussions, screenings, and lectures on the ideas and politics behind Hennessy’s in-progress TBA:12 performance Turbulence (a dance about the economy).
June 21, 2012
Portland Institute for Contemporary Art

Choreographer Keith Hennessy and artist A.L. Steiner framed the the main themes of the symposium in relation to their own queer practices, bodies of work, and politics. Following the conversation, audience and artists continued discussion over an family-style meal.

In conjunction with PICA Symposium: Bodies, Identities & Alternative Economies, a weekend of performances, discussions, screenings, and lectures on the ideas and politics behind Hennessy’s in-progress TBA:12 performance Turbulence (a dance about the economy).

June 22, 2012
Portland Institute for Contemporary Art

Keith Hennessy and the Turbulence cast combine work-in-progress material with direct audience engagement through an inclusive public processing session, including opportunities for questions and feedback. The performers speak about the work and lead a conversation that explores the content and context of the dance. What is the show ‘about’? What is interesting, provocative, or fresh about the the work, its means of production, and the labor, money, power, gender, and sexuality issues involved in the making and sharing of it? What does it mean for Portland?

In conjunction with PICA Symposium: Bodies, Identities & Alternative Economies, a weekend of performances, discussions, screenings, and lectures on the ideas and politics behind Hennessy’s in-progress TBA:12 performance Turbulence (a dance about the economy).

June 23, 2012
Portland Institute for Contemporary Art

How does sharing serve as a model for economic exchange and social change? Neal Gorenflo, founder of online magazine Shareable.net, talks about the challenges and potential for new modes of commerce and trade.

In conjunction with PICA Symposium: Bodies, Identities & Alternative Economies, a weekend of performances, discussions, screenings, and lectures on the ideas and politics behind Hennessy’s in-progress TBA:12 performance Turbulence (a dance about the economy).
June 23, 2012
Portland Institute for Contemporary Art

Moderated by musician, artist, and music advocate Rebecca Gates, this panel focused on the local community, economy, and ecology of the Portland music scene and covered the new initiatives and strategies that artists from a variety of genres are using to enhance local music, support one another, build community, and make change (both social and monetary). Featuring Cool Nutz, Laura Gibson, Holcome Waller, and John Savage.

Live musical performances by Rebecca Gates, John C. Savage, Laura Gibson, and Holcombe Waller.

In conjunction with PICA Symposium: Bodies, Identities & Alternative Economies, a weekend of performances, discussions, screenings, and lectures on the ideas and politics behind Hennessy’s in-progress TBA:12 performance Turbulence (a dance about the economy).

June 23, 2012
Portland Institute for Contemporary Art