An Exhibition of Enlightened Darkness www.thatdamnedshow.com
Detroit, MI - On October 25 through 27 2012 at the Tangent Gallery/Hastings St Ballroom in Detroit comes an extraordinary assemblage of 130 artists from across this world to display 173 of their most introspective creations at DAMNED V – An Exhibition of Enlightened Darkness. From the infamous to the freshest of local and international talent, this prodigious congregation will allow us a glimpse within the diverse shadows of id and ego...of overall mind and encompassing soul guaranteed to intrigue, disturb, inspire or repulse. Rising from within the ashes of the historic institution of Devil’s Night, this is not Halloween-themed art but an immersion within the immeasurable realms of consciousness through an elegant ambiance of ethereal soundscapes and art-inspired butoh, cirque and aerial performances every 30 minutes.
There are 3 nights of DAMNED, each with its own distinct theme for the ambiance and performances that surround the exhibition:
• 10/25 “The Darkness“ – A night of introspective exploration within the shadowed and primal essence of self. This opening night features an intimate VIP Preview/Artist Reception, a formal absinthe tasting courtesy of Kübler Blanche Absinthe and chef-prepared hors d’oeuvres.
• 10/26 “The Enlightenment“ – A night of the extrospective self enlightened through light, fire and the ethereal. This night features a VIP sampling of internationally-inspired aphrodisiac tapas with paired libations courtesy of B Nektar and exotic aerial and fire performances.
• 10/27 “The Masquerade“ – A festive celebration through a menagerie of exotic cirque, sensual rhythms and masquerade. This closing night features the formal mask-mandatory Masquerade Ball, a 13-dish strolling dinner, an intimate solo performance by Dixon’s Violin, the dreamworld aural ambiance of Sugar Hiccup and a menagerie of cirque performances all night. This night is mask mandatory and proper attire only.
DAMNED, first and foremost, is an exhibition of the intensely personal creations that are often born from within the artist’s most darkest hours. This art can be the grace that returns them towards the light, the guide to discover new paths of self or simply the embodiment of rages, denials, abandonments and realizations. DAMNED then cultures an intriguing visual ambiance of art inspired performances with the region’s most creative talent including circus hellions Miss Pussykatt and Rachel of the DareDevil Dolls, the complex dementias of SATORI CIRCUS, the exotic graces of Chantal and Amber, the aerial elegance of Detroit Flyhouse, and the exquisite cirque of Jade Ashekerra, Leslie Blackburn and many others. Aurally, the haunting gallery soundtracks are custom designed by Life Toward Twilight with the mesmerizing live strings of Dixon's Violin and Jesse Fox on percussion during performances. For the formal masquerade ball, we welcome the exotic music ambiance provided by DJ Quig with Sugar Hiccup. Other treats include a VIP Preview and Artist Reception with formal absinthe tasting by Kubler Absinthe, a harem room-inspired VIP mezzanine overlooking the gallery, on-site tapas chef, a custom surgical stainless steel Detroit Deconstruction Skull Ring giveaway ($980 value) courtesy of Atelier Gothic Jewelry, our Devil Girl hostesses, a gallery store to purchase art and more to come.
