DALLAS – Satisfy your sweet tooth for the sublime. Our Endeavors Theater Collective (OETC) explores the world of Dada and Duchamp in an original performance dubbed (The) Book of Matches at the Dallas Museum of Art's Dialogues exhibition. Inspired by the works of artist Marcel Duchamp, (The) Book of Matches merges abstract text with metaphysical gesture, found objects and an unconventional soundscape. Premiering at the DMA's October Late Night Event with two performances in the Chilton Gallery on Fri Oct 21, 2005 at 9:00pm and 11:00pm, (The) Book of Matches continues on Sat Oct 22 at 3:00pm, Fri Oct 28 at 8:00pm, Sun Nov 20 at 3:00pm, Sat Dec 10 at 3:00pm, Sat Dec 17 at 3:00pm, and Sun Dec 18 at 3:00pm. All performances of (The) Book of Matches are free of charge with paid admission into the DMA (members–free, adults-$10, seniors-$7, students-$5). The Dallas Museum of Art is located at 1717 North Harwood, Dallas, TX 75201. Call (214) 327-4001 for more information or visit www.ourendeavors.com.
In keeping with its tradition of pioneering thrilling and subversive theater, OETC defies expectation with the creation of an original, live art installation. Under the direction of OETC Artistic Director Scott Osborne, (The) Book of Matches reveals multiple realities as it forges new pathways of association within the mind of the observer. Playwright John Flores, who also performs, has constructed a script that explores the unknown, giving way to dream imagery and subconscious perception. Featuring inimitable performances by ensemble actors Flores, Lainie Simonton and Lulu Ward, (The) Book of Matches includes live, musical accompaniment by composer Frank Mendez, inventive choreography by Karen Robinson, and fantastical costumes designed by Patrick Johnson.
The first exhibition to explore the artistic exchange among Marcel Duchamp, Joseph Cornell, Jasper Johns, and Robert Rauschenberg, and featuring over forty of their works, Dialogues runs at the Dallas Museum of Art now through January 8, 2006. The exhibition reveals the aesthetic dialogue and shared visual vocabulary evident in the works of the featured artists. Set in motion by Duchamp, this dialogue intertwines the art-making philosophies and strategies of Dada, surrealism, abstract expressionism, and pop art.
"This type of material requires that we embrace chaos by resisting choices supported by reason or rationale," says Director Scott Osborne, who continues to develop his distinctive approach to theater. "The final work is unpredictable in nature, because the actors are completely focused on being ‘in the moment'." Osborne concludes, "Our goal is exploitation of the subconscious. We are attempting to channel the sublime and metaphysical through the art of performance technique. The results are stylistically exquisite, divine and hysterical."
(The) Book of Matches performs in the Chilton Gallery at the Dallas Museum of Art Friday Oct 21 at 9:00pm and 11:00pm, Sat Oct 22 at 3:00pm, Fri Oct 28 at 8:00pm, Sun Nov 20 at 3:00pm, Sat Dec 10 at 3:00pm, Sat Dec 17 at 3:00pm, and Sun Dec 18 at 3:00pm. All performances are free of charge with paid admission into the DMA (members–free, adults-$10, seniors-$7, students-$5). For information about the Dialogues exhibit, contact the Dallas Museum of Art at (214) 922-1200 or www.dallasmuseumofart.org. For more information about (The) Book of Matches or to request an interview with the director or actors, please contact Patti Kirkpatrick at (214) 327-4001 or ourendeavors@hotmail.com. Additional information about OETC can be found at www.ourendeavors.com.
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