Papillon (non performance) @ BACKstage - Backlit - NotLost Festival

The title of this work (Papillon is the french word for a butterfly) is somewhat over titled as my appearance was little more than that, there was no performance as such other than the interaction of myself an the audience. I would speak to people who either knew me or didn't know me about the very physical transformation I have gone through by showing photographs of me from my twenties.


The outfit and the overall way I chose to present myself at this show is all very uncharacteristic of me as evident by the photographs but throughout the evening I was also collecting an anecdote of how people who knew me well were not able to recognise me. I felt that I had achieved a metamorphosis fantasy I had from my school days where I may one summer holidays reinvent myself into someone completely different. I took great pleasure in the experience and sharing it with people who were meeting me for the first time.

Backstage is part of the NotLost festival

Life Model

As I teach painting and drawing for West Notts College and want to give my adult learners an opportunity to experience drawing a life model I decided to wear my wrestling singlet for one session and teach the class whilst stood in front of them so they can draw me.


The response to the lesson was positive and enjoyable for the students. I found many of the resulting studies to be aesthetic for different reasons, here are a couple of my favourites.

Black Swans

Black Swans is the "Sideshow" game show hosted at Tether's TV studio (also used for presenting the sideshowshow)


In Episode One (recorded in October) Jon Burgerman wreaks havoc, Nikki Russel looks bemused, the death of Jack Bauer is decided, A really big meat pizza is ordered by Bruce Asbestos, David Cameron, Rob Blackson Dancing, a waitress, a round of applause for a bow tie and much more.

In Episode Two (recorded in November) Curator Rob Blackson is back for revenge, we say goodbye to Jon Burgerman as he leaves for New York, Nikki Russel looks bemused, little violence but lots of sex, erections, piles and intercourse.

In Episode Three (recorded in December) Curator Rob Blackson is back for more revenge, we celebrate Christmas and commiserate the end of Black Swans, The British Art show, Sideshow and the Tether Studios. We play the game Hitler or His Highness, Nikki Russel gets into an arm wrestle, Sonic the Hedgehog brings gifts, David Blandy and more.

The Elreys

The Elreys are a rock band from Mansfield.

I'd like to introduce you...

Throbbing bass lines courtesy of Chris, he has the bluest eyes on a man that I've ever seen and likes to hit his licks loud.


Adam the drummer, big into his Waits and Cave, he's the bleeding heart that gives this band life and soul.
.

Rich Cutts, formerly of (John Peel session recording) "Intense Degree" has the dirtiest riff you have heard.


Bryony, 'The Vamp', sultry keys and haunting backing vocals. She will mesmerize man, woman and child.


And me... Seedy, sleazy, dark hearted crooner... enough torment, controlled and ready, to share with everyone. An eyesore of a vision in brown. May sell you snake oil or buy your soul, either way you'll be stung.

Patent Application

I have filed my patent application in march 2009, and was published on 28/07/10

"in production" @ nottingham contemporary

In production is an opportunity for Midlands based artists working with video to present new video to people involved in the local art scene for some critical feedback. I found the process to be useful for hearing views on what I could do to develop my documentation.

The evenings curation was quite interesting as it unfolded Thomas Darby and Theo Reeves-Evison who both produce works that explore themes of the male mind, made a comfortable segway for my video and allowed me to talk freely about how wrestling is an important part of my current art practice.

Becoming a Wrestler

In the first of a series of Tethervision videos following artist Duncan Allen's quest for macho-ness, we see him learning how to become a wrestler.

This video has been co-funded by NCAN.
Supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Evening Post

Appearing on radio Nottingham to talk sprouts and Being a world record holder at the time gave me the courage to appear on the Guinness world Records "Smashed" and now the evening post. Twice.

It was the Smashed Christmas special, I shared a dressing room with a bunch of Britain's most talented pro-wrestlers, met Biggins, Steve Jones and Peter "the voice" Dickson.
I won't spoil the surprises in case you ever get chance to see the show on sky one and hope to put a link up in the future.

Smashed

In 2001 I chose the domain name videomouth to represent me in what ever venture I intended to pursue. Not to dictate and not to influence. I had a variety of motivations for sticking those two words together, including my awareness of emerging digital video technology. I had no idea however, that I may appear on national T.V. for such a dubious oral talent.

My natural aptitude for speed eating has landed me a spot on a prime-time Sky One TV show.

"Smashed" the modern day incarnation of Record Breakers, (starring Steve Jones as Roy Castle)

Look out for the Christmas special later this year:)

NOW NOW - Make it, Break it - Glasgow

For the opening of "MAKE IT BREAK IT" I ate 28 brussel's sprouts extending my current world record by just three. (I had planned to smash the record but unfortunately the sprouts where not at room temperature and burned my mouth... OUCH!)
As well as exhibiting the residue of the performance, my current Guinness World Record certificate and video "wrestler for a day", I took "beard (May - Dec 2007)" a work made on the same day as "wrestler for a day" was recorded. I prefer to show these two works specifically together when I have the opportunity. I feel that "collection of achievements" is tied together by macho endeavor and has more appropriate in locations with a "gritty" cultural association or among social settings of alpha dominance. These works weren't intended to be viewed as commentary on art but of the masculine artist. A reflection upon the Psyche of the passionate, motivated creators in art history whilst a back door into contemporary thought.

The show (and opening) was a lovely success and I had a fab time in Scotland. My hosts Catherine and Nadia where superb.