About this Event
PERFORMANCE, TALKBACK | Set in a museum of our collective memory, Present: Perfect explores the complex gestures through which we relate to symbols of our own past to forge senses of cultural identity. A collection of valuable artifacts commemorate alternative versions of key historical moments. Even with the guidance of the performers, it is, however, hard to determine which events are important, which are good to remember, and which are better to forget. The space slowly transforms into a bizarre “rage room” where events of the distant past return to the contemporary and forgotten history pervades current affairs.
Present: Perfect examines rupture points between dominant images and alternative ones, from Byzantine soldiers charged with removing the portrait of Christ from the Bronze Gate to Suffragette attacks on art in British galleries and today’s activists tearing down colonial statues throughout the West. Alongside the fanatical iconoclasts who uncompromisingly destroy all signs of a hostile ideology, a parallel crowd of equally fanatical iconoclasts defends the existing symbols to their last breath.
Present: Perfect (2021), Czech Republic. Created, designed and directed by: Jan Mocek. Performed by: Tinka Avramova, Irina Andreeva. Music: Matous Hekela. Dramaturgy: Tana Svehlova. Lighting design: Vaclav Hruska.
Running time: 75 min. Language: English. Use of stroboscope.
The performance is followed by a talkback.
Free and open to the public. Suggested donation $10 is used to support the artists. Seats are limited, on first-come, first-served basis. Registration through Eventbrite is required.
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WHERE: Bohemian National Hall, 321 East 73rd Street (between 2nd & 1st Aves), New York, NY 10021. Subway: Q line - 72nd Street, 6 line – 68th Street Hunter College or 77th Street
PARKING: Discounted parking of $35 for up to 12 hours for guests of Bohemian National Hall is available at GGMC Parking. Two parking entrances: 307 East 73rd Street and 300 East 74th Street. Present your parking ticket at BNH reception for a validation sticker.
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ABOUT THE 2023 REHEARSAL FOR TRUTH THEATER FESTIVAL
is organized by the Vaclav Havel Library Foundation and the Bohemian Benevolent and Literary Association in partnership with the Polish Cultural Institute New York, GOH Productions, Trap Door Theatre, Centre of Jewish Culture ŠTETL, Jan Mocek, Martin E. Segal Theatre Center, Palissimo Company, and Romanian Cultural Institute.
The program is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. The festival is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, Arts and Theatre Institute in Prague, and Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Bohemian National Hall, 321 East 73rd Street, New York, United States
USD 0.00