RAPID PULSE 2017

Sixth Annual Rapid Pulse International Performance Art Festival 2017 | RETROSPECT
JUNE 01-04 | 2017

Embracing the theme: Retrospect, this edition of Rapid Pulse looks back at our first five years by inviting alumni artists to present new works:

Rapid Pulse 2017 launches with a Vernissage on Thursday, June 1 at 7pm. In addition to live performances, each day of Rapid Pulse includes a Video Program and STǓ, a curated late-night post-performance soup kitchen. Co-curators Giana Gambino and Joseph Ravens have kept the festival intimate in order to focus on the digital and physical archives from the first five editions of the festival. Rapid Pulse 2017 will debut prototypes for five catalogs, one for each edition, 2012-16. This retrospective concludes a series and marks the end of the festival in its current format. Following a hiatus, Rapid Pulse will return in new form to champion performance art.

Rapid Pulse International Performance Art Festival is curated by festival director, Joseph Ravens, and assistant director, Giana Gambino, along with support from Julie Laffin and Steven Bridges (Co-curators 2012-15). Rapid Pulse is produced by Defibrillator Performance Art Gallery a.k.a. DFBRL8R Ltd., a 501c3 organization dedicated to the creation and presentation of performance art. Fostering local talent while invigorating Chicago with artists of exceptional calibre from around the world, Defibrillator champions work that looks to the body in concert and conversation with time, object, space, architecture, and society.

2012 Rapid Pulse INDUSTRY of the ORDINARY photo by Zach Michael and Melody Snyder

2012 Rapid Pulse MICHAEL THOMAS/LUCKY PIERRE photo by Rossi Dimitrova

2013 Rapid Pulse CARLOS SALAZAR LERMONT photo by Keijaun Thomas

2013 Rapid Pulse FERESHTEH TOOSI photo by Giana Gambino

2014 Rapid Pulse DIAZ LEWIS photo by Kevin Sparrow

2014 Rapid Pulse ALISON CROCETTA+PETER REESE photo by Emerson Sigman

2014 Rapid Pulse MIKEY MCPARLANE photo by Arjuna Capulong

2015 Rapid Pulse AYANA EVANS photo by Sam Chao

2016 Rapid Pulse ELI K GOLD photo by Holly Arsenault

DAY ONE | VERNISSAGE | THU 01 JUNE

Guest of honor: JEFFERSON PINDER [RP13]

Celebrate the opening of Rapid Pulse 2017 at our Vernissage on Thursday, June 1, with guest of honor, 2017 Guggenheim Fellow, Jefferson Pinder.

6PM | Reception with drinks and hors d’oeuvres | $20 [get tickets]

8PM | Talk by Jefferson Pinder | $5 donation request at the door

DAY TWO | FRI 02 JUNE

7PM | Ayana Evans [RP15] | Diaz Lewis [RP14] | Industry of the Ordinary [RP12]

video program | Metaphor: With or Without Recourse : Jeffery Byrd [RP13] Francisco-fernando Granados [RP12] | Jon John [RP12] | Lechdevirgen Trimegisto [RP15]

stǓ | John Burkholder + Jessica Bortman [RP16]

DAY THREE | SAT 03 JUNE

5PM | Michael Thomas/Lucky Pierre [RP12] | OFFSITE*: 2001 W. Fulton | FREE

7PM | Alison Crocetta + Peter Reese [RP14] | Eli K Gold [RP16]

9PM | Michael Thomas/Lucky Pierre[RP12] | OFFSITE* 2001 W. Fulton | FREE

stǓ | JGV / WAR = J Gibran Villalobos + Wil A Ruggiero [RP16]

DAY FOUR | SUN 04 JUNE

3PM | Panel Discussion | subject: Performing Leadership: Links in Creativity

moderator: Carlos Salazar Lermont
panelists: Jackie Taylor, Joseph Ravens, Mark Jeffery, Angeliki Tsoli

5PM | Fereshteh Toosi [RP13] | OFFSITE** Start at DFBRL8R + walk to Eckhart Park | FREE

7PM | Mikey McParlane + Erica Gressman [RP14] | Carlos Salazar Lermont [RP13]

stǓ | Miller & Shellabarger [RP13]

RAPID PULSE 2017 |offsite

Facebook Event| These events are FREE but reservations help us plan! Get your tickets at: http://tckts.me/2qDpiVV

* “American Slut” takes place at 2001 W Fulton | SW Corner of Fulton and Damen | FREE | Michael Thomas is the director of Lucky Pierre, a collaborative group working in performance, activism, and visual art to create structures for open forms of engagement with various publics. “American Slut,” a solo performance, is perhaps a re-telling of Clint Eastwood’s film based on the Chris Kyle memoir “American Sniper.” It’s also about the early AIDS crisis, queer identity, crumbling political and economic systems, the tenure review process, rage, getting shot and getting laid. Drinks may be served, and dancing may follow.

**Fereshteh Toosi begins at Defibrillator at 5PM and the group will migrate collectively two blocks east to Eckhart Park for a participatory performance. FREE. Fereshteh Toosi designs experiences and objects using hybrid approaches that combine images, sounds, movement, and found materials. Fereshteh’s participatory art work takes many forms, ranging from oyster mushroom sculptures, films processed in mint tea and yeasts, and guided walks about the lithium mining industry.

RAPID PULSE|DOCUMENTATION

2012 Rapid Pulse INDUSTRY of the ORDINARY photo by Zach Michael and Melody Snyder
2012 Rapid Pulse MICHAEL THOMAS/LUCKY PIERRE photo by Rossi Dimitrova
2013 Rapid Pulse CARLOS SALAZAR LERMONT photo by Keijaun Thomas
2013 Rapid Pulse FERESHTEH TOOSI photo by Giana Gambino
2014 Rapid Pulse DIAZ LEWIS photo by Kevin Sparrow
2014 Rapid Pulse MIKEY MCPARLANE photo by Arjuna Capulong
2014 Rapid Pulse ALISON CROCETTA+PETER REESE photo by Emerson Sigman
2015 Rapid Pulse AYANA EVANS photo by Sam Chao
2016 Rapid Pulse ELI K GOLD photo by Holly Arsenault

RAPID PULSE 2017 SUPPORT

Rapid Pulse is made possible by the generous support from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago Sullivan Galleries and SAIC Departments of Performance, Visual and Critical Studies, and Arts Administration and Policy; Lagunitas Brewing Co; Awake Cafe; Lovely Kitchen and Cafe; Five Star Bar; Opart Thai; Andrés Lemus-Spont/Building Brown Workshop; Kokorokoko; Standing Passengers; The Dill Pickle Food Co-op; Vincent Restaurant; Rosekill/Grace Exhibition Space; Spread Art; David Getsy, Jane Wenger; Daniéle Wilmouth; Cream; Jumptwist; Mr. Vibe; Ohio Art and Design; Felis Major Letterpress & Bindery. Defibrillator is made possible with support from the Martha Strutters Farley and Donald C. Farley, Jr. Family Foundation; DFBRL8R Board of Directors; and generous contributions from our loving community.