Mark O´Connell showing Blind Man
Arts Walk, Capitol Hill
May 12th
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AN UNFORGETTABLE EVENING
Finally the day arrived for Mark O´Connell´s big art exhibition. The event was held at Arts Walk, a frame shop located in Capitol Hill, Seattle. It was a clever choice to have the show there. The place was specially prepared and provided a different atmosphere, perfect for the kind of art that Mark wanted to exhibit.
Today Mark remembers it as "an incredible and magical night, everything I was hoping for and more." He had worked hard for it to be a success but one never knows. He realised people were giving the thumbs up as he saw a steady group of people coming in all night. Not only the ones that had been formally invited, but also those walking in from the street. He also remembers that "some were fascinated, others shocked and all the in between."
Mark had carefully planned each and every part of the show and counted on the participation of talented friends. The unique Seattle gender-bending performance artist Waxie Moon, who was at the art gallery shop window in a live appearance, sitting next to a portrait of his, painted by Mark, and a part of his recent production, and Kobalt Severa aka DJ Transport, who provided the show with the hippest, coolest music of his own production.
INTRODUCING WAXIE MOON
Waxie Moon
The real one next to his portrait
by Mark O´Connell
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Detail of the portrait
WAXIE MOON
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AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH WAXIE MOON
This interview was made via the Internet by exchanging emails and these are the interesting replies to the questions sent to Waxie Moon while he was performing in Las Vegas, Nevada. Waxie not only spoke about his participation in this art show but also about his persona and future projects.
1. What are you currently doing in Las Vegas?
I am attending the Burlesque Hall of Fame 2011 weekend festival, where I will have the honor of performing and assisting burlesque legends/women in their 60´s, 70´s and 80´s in their performance, supporting my friends who are competing in the 2011 "Tournament of Tease", and reconnecting with my friends (members of the international burlesque community). It is a guaranteed good time.
2. Can you describe yourself as an artist? Where are you from and how long have you been a performer?
I have been performing since I was 9 years old. After countless years of tap and disco lessons throughout California, I began my formal dance training at the Interlochen Arts Academy and went on to receive my BFA from The Juilliard School. Upon graduating, I joined the Jose Limon Dance Company, with whom I danced leading roles worldwide, including tours to war-torn Sarajevo and El Salvador, and a performance at the White House for former President William Jefferson Clinton and First Lady Hilary Rodham Clinton. In 2004, I received his MFA in Acting from the Professional Actor Training Porgram (PATP) at the University of Washington and co-founded Seattle´s critically acclaimed Washington Ensemble Theatre. In 2006, I created the performance personae "Waxie Moon", a gender-bending queer lady "boylesque" performance-art solo stripping sensation. Since then, I have got to perform extensively as him/her/herm.
3. How did you get to know Mark O´Connell? Did you know his work before meeting him?
Mark was someone I always admired from afar. Through a mutual friend, we were finally introduced, and encouraged to collaborate on this project. Our first meeting was super exciting. I was absolutely floored by his paintings, and basically said "you can paint me however you´d like". I gladly submitted to being his "human canvas".
4. You must be made many business proposals. What made you give the thumbs up to this one?
Seeing his paintings. They are gorgeous! I was also interested in expanding what I do as a performer, and Mark´s "human canvas" idea sounded fresh, fun and entertaining.
5. The idea of working in the shop window in the company of your portrait and interacting with the visitors to the exhibition was great. How did you guys decide on this?
I´m not sure if the idea originated with Mark, Dennis Turner (the gallery owner) or myself. It was a kind of collective-agreed-upon magic. Great minds think alike.
6. Can you describe your experience in the show and how you felt about this integration of art, music and performance?
I really enjoyed myself. Being installed in the window felt relaxing and quietly entertaining. Ultimately people were there to see Mark´s paintings. I felt like an added surprise. Also, Kobalt´s soundscape gave the event a festive vibe. The event was entertaining and artful, without feeling overly precious.
7. Would you like to work with Mark again in the future? Perhaps an integrated show with Mark and Kobalt?
Absolutely!
8. What is your next show/performance?
I am taking the summer off to regroup and begin contemplating some new, long term, ambitious projects. Recently, I co-wrote and starred in "Waxie Moon in Fallen Jewell", a feature-length fictional film (directed by Wes Hurley). It is a high-larious burlesque musical that is now in postproduction. Keep your eye out for it!
9. There are several videos in You Tube but it would be interesting to find your work and photos in a site. Where can people and fans find info about your career and venues?
Thanks for asking. The best way to know about all things related to "Waxie Moon" is to "like" my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/WaxieMoon .
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INTRODUCING DJ TRANSPORT
DJ Transport
DJ Transport doing his set
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THE DJ SET by DJ Transport******
The interview to Kobalt Severa or DJ Transport was held thanks to our friends from Facebook. Here is what he had to say about the unusual music of an unusual evening.
1. Kobalt, you were the DJ in the show but you are also a close friend of Mark´s.
Yes, Mark and I have known each other for about ten years now.
2. What did Mark specifically want for the art show in terms of music?
He didn´t want music too dancy and he was particularly interested in some World music sounds along with some tracks with an Indian/Bali sound.
3. What was the process of preparing the set like?
I worked on putting the mix together for about a week,having gathered about 9 hours of music, and then whittling it down to about 5 hours of music.
My music selection was mostly Down Tempo, Chill, Lounge, and House, with hints of pop, although the pop music that I play is usually heavily remixed.
Once I had all the tracks selected that I wanted to play, I just sort of went by the mood of the show, as to what I would play. Starting off with a slow tempo and gradually building the beats as the night went on.
6. And how long did the fun last?
I started my set about 5.45 pm and ended around 10pm. It was a fun night!
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This is one of the pics that DJ Transport chose for the evening set.
Richard Cheese
Ice Ice Baby
You can also go to soundcloud and find his interesting music. Here´s one of his links:
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