“Soho in Hollywood” Film Series: Not exactly “I Love the 80s”
So it turns out the art of the 80s was more than just Anthony Michael Hall and Wang Chung. The University’s Gallery of Art will be running a three-part film series entitled “Soho in Hollywood / Hollywood in Soho: 80s Artists on Film” in conjunction with its “American Artists in the 1980s” exhibition. The first two films, “Downtown 81” and “Arena Brains,” will be shown tonight in Steinberg Hall starting at 7 P.M., while subsequent screenings of “Search and Destroy” and “Basquiat” will run on March 5th and April 9th, respectively.
For those unfamiliar with the gallery’s latest exhibit, it features work from such lauded artists as Keith Haring, whose famous stick figures adorn all kinds of “we are the world” projects, and Jean-Michel Basquiat, whose graffiti-like scribblings probably influenced all of Radiohead’s liner notes. Other artists include Ross Bleckner, David Salle and Julian Schnabel.
The films focus on these artists and the circumstances in which they rose to fame. “Downtown 81” is a docudrama featuring Basquiat as himself , bumming around the streets of New York and getting into all sorts of weird mischief. Over the course of his adventures he hooks up with seminal “no wave” band DNA and runs into Blondie’s Debbie Harry, who plays a demented bag lady. Fans of post-punk and other non-synth pop 80s music should dig the Kajagoogoo-free soundtrack, which includes all the “hits” from bands like Liquid Liquid, Suicide, and Lydia Lunch (formerly of Teenage Jesus and the Jerks). “Arena Brains” is a shorter, hipper-than-thou art movie about the New York scene in the final years of the decade. Watch for appearances by Ray Liotta, Sean Young and R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe. Again, come for the movie, stay for the soundtrack, as it features a smorgasbord of HÂsker DÂ, Public Image, Ltd., and others. Get to know the underground side of art a little better (and find out the 80s weren’t all that bad!) with this intriguing film series.
~ Matt Simonton, Movies Editor
Me Vashya World Premiere
Irony takes many shapes and forms, and oftentimes leaves us with a feeling of subtle amusement and hidden delight. And one might imagine that even Tennessee Williams would enjoy a slight chuckle if he were able to view the irony of this coming weekend’s performances. This Friday, accompanying The Glass Menagerie, one of Williams’ most celebrated works, Me Vashya will make its world premiere, performed in the A.E. Hotchner Studio, named amusingly after the playwright whose 1937 manuscript defeated Williams’ submission, Me Vashya, accompanying Williams’ decision to leave the university.
Williams’ submission did not even place within the top three manuscripts, which were to be produced as part of the university’s season. Me Vashya, an anti-war comedy which tell the story of a dishonest arms dealer and his wife, was actually awarded fourth place in the competition because the faculty did not believe that the role of Lady Shontine would have been properly cast.
Nevertheless, many Williams enthusiasts still believe that Me Vashya played an important role in the playwright’s life, affecting both his artistic and personal choices. Co-director and PAD chair Henry Schvey commented, “Me Vashya is a surprising little play and should not be dismissed as merely the work of a novice. The broad anti-war perspective will certainly shock those who associate Williams’ dramatic voice with quiet lyricism. The play’s humor will likewise surprise those who are unaware of Williams’ often overlooked comic sensibility.”
Me Vashya will run on February 6-8, and 14-15 at the A.E. Hotchner Studio in Mallinckrodt. Tickets can be purchased at the Edison Theatre Box Office and at all MetroTix outlets or by calling (314) 935-6543.
~ Laura Villines, Features Editor