Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Designer Darrell Thorne is 'Under Glass and In Color' on Avenue A



Darrell Thorne, the Brooklyn-based designer and performance artist (and onetime East Village resident!), is the centerpiece of a new exhibit titled "Under Glass and in Color" in the pop-up gallery on Avenue A and Fourth Street.

The folks behind ChaShaMa, a nonprofit that transforms empty storefronts into galleries, and the National Endowments for the Arts are presenting the work of Thorne, who has collaborated with Madonna, Jennifer Hudson, Blondie and others...



Thorne and his work, including a bespoke mask created for Madonna in the "Living for Love" video, will be on display for sidewalk viewing. Here's more via the official release:

"Under Glass and In Color" combines an exhibition, a residency, and a durational performance into a vibrant celebration of life through costume, makeup, dance, and transformation.

Against a backdrop of feathers, flowers, metal, and mirrors, Thorne will create original headpieces, apply makeup and body paint, perform dance pieces, sing songs and perform lip-synchs, write his memoirs, interact with passersby, and juxtapose everyday mundane activities with transformation, ritual, and elevation.

Additionally, a digital art exhibit featuring video projections of Thorne and his dancers edited and manipulated by multimedia artist Morgan Freeman will play on a loop.

In a moment where we all must live with barriers, "Under Glass and in Color" invites viewers to observe an artist under glass, in a world of his own creation. 24/7 exhibition window viewing, performances happening periodically.

Thorne provided EVG contributor Stacie Joy with a look inside the space ...













The current preview period continues through the official opening on Thursday (June 18!). The exhibit is here through July 12.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

There will be a rise in the curve of empty store fronts due to the pandemic. Perhaps enough store fronts to accommodate every serious artist who needs representation. Wouldn't it be nice if NYC streets would become a "walking exhibition space"? Two miles this way gives you Old Masters, while two miles in a different direction gives you Outsider Art. All changing every two months. Now that would be an improvement on the city....provided morons don't smash windows and deface the artwork.

Anonymous said...

This is so much better than a bank.

Giovanni said...

Lois cool, I’ll have to check it out. So he’s pretty much doing what Ellen Turrietta did while living on the sidewalk on 7th St a few years back, he’s just doing it indoors. I wonder what ever became of her?

Anonymous said...

Beautiful. Sure hope those are fake feathers.

Jill W said...

best transition from a bank I've ever seen!