Hotel Cassiopeia

Tonight, I went down to Court Theatre in Hyde Park to see the newest collaboration between Charles Mee and Anne Bogart's SITI Company. In general, I love Anne Bogart, but am not crazy about Charles Mee. But this production really opened Mee up to me as something very cool.

(Thoughts captured on the L, lest public transit completely suck out the beauty and romance of the moment)
Hotel Cassiopeia inspires me to make art. Perhaps it was the presentational style, or perhaps it was the artist-subject (Joseph Cornell). Because collage has always felt like an appeal and approachable medium to me. I understand that precise aesthetic arrangement. The idea that everything has a perfect place, based on its relationship (visual/spatial/thematic) with the other objects or items. The play made me feel creative impulses, whch strangely are visual media rather than theatre. Make tokens to send people. Collect items and images that remind me of the Cheese Fiend, who would have liked this. And with whom I would have liked to have seen this.

It also makes me deliciously covetous of everything on stage, from a teabag to a cigarette to old movies and a 3-speed bike. I could watch it all over again and still be amazed.

The play created stunning images and energies. It evoked the sense of wonderment and simple bliss the artist lived in and tried to recreate in his collage boxes. Shared understanding.

I also find myself increasingly attracted to ensemble-driven, non-realistic storytelling. More interesting visually, and something I haven't gotten much of before. Which is not hugely surprising, since I have always valued ensemble. But I guess non-realism is like my recently-discovered appreciation for modern art (thanks Brussels!)

(there's something wrong with my Ii key and it's bugging the hell out of me.)

on the radio: Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Californication"
external temp: 21F