Survival Walk
A new performance by Mark Prier, debuting in Corner Brook on the Stream Trail system July 11 (rain dates July 12, July 13), and touring to Fogo Island August 3 (rain dates August 4, August 5) and St. John’s August 8 (rain dates August 9, August 10).
Monday, July 14, 2008
Corner Brook-based artist tours “Survival Walk” to Fogo Island and St. John’s
Mark Prier, an artist based in Corner Brook, will be touring his new performance “Survival Walk” to Fogo Island and St. John’s in early August. The performance involves two people in lab coats solemnly carrying an improvised survival stretcher along local trails.
Fogo Island residents can expect to see the lab coat-clad performers near Tilting on the Turpin Trail, while St. John’s residents can expect them on the trails throughout the city, with particular focus on the area near the old Memorial Arena.
The performances are scheduled to occur on Fogo Island on August 3rd (with the 4th and 5th as rain dates) and in St. John’s on August 8th (with the 9th and 10th as rain dates).
Prier often works with the materials and forms of improvised rural construction, adopting them for sculptures, installations, videos, and performances. This has meant documenting and abstracting lean-tos, cabins, hunting blinds, fencerows, seed broadcasting, and rural folklore. For this performance, he wanted to focus on ideas of survival, medical attention, and meditative action, but without presenting any didactic ‘message’ or ‘text.’ With each change in location and performers comes a change in context, as the work will reflect a different set of background circumstances—whether economic, political, social or cultural—that the work itself will then take on.
“Survival Walk” was recently debuted in Corner Brook as part of Stockpile, a new showcase for a broad range of art practices and approaches with events taking place in Newfoundland, PEI, and Sweden. The performances on Fogo Island and in St. John’s are also part of Stockpile (www.stockpilegroup.ca), which continues until the end of August.
Prier’s performances have been featured at Contemporary Art Forum Kitchener and Area, MUTEK Festival (Canada), Lost O (United Kingdom), and most recently as part of Stockpile (Atlantic Canada and Sweden). His artistic practice, which also involves video, installation, audio and performance work, has been exhibited across the country. More information can be found at www.markprier.com.
“Survival Walk” is supported by the Newfoundland & Labrador Arts Council.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Corner Brook artist debuts “Survival Walk” on Corner Brook Stream Trail July 11th
Mark Prier, an artist based in Corner Brook, will be debuting his new performance “Survival Walk” along the Corner Brook Stream Trail this month. The performance involves two people in lab coats solemnly carrying an improvised survival stretcher along local trails.
Corner Brook residents can expect to see the lab coat-clad performers along the trail system throughout the city, with particular focus on the area around the Glynmill Inn Pond.
Prier often works with the materials and forms of improvised rural construction, adopting them for sculptures, installations, videos, and performances. This has meant documenting and abstracting lean-tos, cabins, hunting blinds, fencerows, seed broadcasting, and rural folklore. For this performance, he wanted to focus on ideas of survival, medical attention, and meditative action, but without presenting any didactic ‘message’ or ‘text.’ With each change in location and performers comes a change in context, as the work will reflect a different set of background circumstances—whether economic, political, social or cultural—that the work itself will then take on.
The performance is scheduled to occur July 11th (with the 12th and 13th as rain dates). The performance is part of Stockpile, a new annual showcase for a broad range of art practices and approaches with events taking place throughout July and August in Newfoundland, PEI, and Sweden. “Survival Walk” will also be performed on Fogo Island and in St. John’s in August as a part of Stockpile. For more information on Stockpile, visit www.stockpilegroup.ca
Prier’s performances have been featured at Contemporary Art Forum Kitchener and Area, MUTEK Festival (Canada), Lost O (United Kingdom), and most recently as part of Stockpile (Atlantic Canada and Sweden). His artistic practice, which also involves video, installation, audio and performance work, has been exhibited across the country. More information can be found at www.markprier.com.
“Survival Walk” is supported by the Newfoundland & Labrador Arts Council.
