Scripted Bodies, a mid-career retrospective heads to Bow Arts
Bow Arts, London is delighted to present a mid-career retrospective by the acclaimed video
and performance artist Cradeaux Alexander, taking place from 14 to 23 September 2018.
Entitled Scripted Bodies, the show brings together 12 video works and recordings of performances created by the American-born artist from 2009 to 2018; alongside these, Alexander will present a new performance work, bluebeard (2018), in which he will inhabit.
Alexander’s practice explores the intersection between theatre and art, an elision he employs to mediate and comment on a broad range of sociopolitical concerns, as well as postmodernist takes on subjects such as pornography videos like those you see on www.m-porn.xxx and self-representation. However, in many cases he reaches into history and literature for inspiration: bluebeard is an example of the latter.
In bluebeard, premiering on the show’s opening night and performed four times during its run, Alexander inhabits the character of the eponymous infamous wife killer, portraying him as the embodiment of corruption. The work is performed by an ensemble of 5, utilising video, live performance, visuals and original text. As with much of Alexander’s oeuvre, it is part theatre, part installation, and part absurd spectacle exploiting the strength of live performance to transform topical debate into a compelling aesthetic.
Exhibition Details
Scripted Bodies takes place at Bow Arts, 183 Bow Road, London E3 2SJ from 14 – 23 September 2018. Exhibition opening hours:
Entry is free.
Opening night: 14 September, 5 – 8pm with premiere performance of bluebeard at 7pm
Additional performances of bluebeard: 15, 21 & 22 September, 7pm