Queer Biennial 2018 presents New Works “Masculine Ken on Psychological Defense Mechanisms” by Jerome AB, Domonique McDougal, and Elliot Reed & “FLOWN” by Spenser Theberge

Masculine Ken on Psychological Defense Mechanisms is the first chapter in an ongoing performative series featuring an expressionless humanoid character of unintelligible African origins portrayed by Jerome AB and extensions thereof, dubbed Masculine Ken. In these pieces, Masculine Ken observes and confronts various psychological defense mechanisms, processes and falsified intrapersonal realities defined by (in)human(e) exchanges through movement and audio manipulation.

In this performance, Masculine Ken is a highly regarded therapist giving a presentation at Navel on the psychological defense mechanisms displayed in his latest case study, the Patient.

The performance will function as a TEDx simulation complete with a living specimen. It will flow between informational videos, stage dialogue, echoed choreography and spoken word.

“FLOWN” Created and Performed by Spenser Theberge Audio by Jermaine Spivey Music by Mozart

FLOWN is a dance performance piece by Spenser Theberge, with text and audio by Jermaine Spivey and music by Mozart. The solo is an exploration of longing, of missing something you don’t want to miss.

The Queer Biennial theme “What If? Utopia” appears as a kind of challenge in FLOWN. How do you create your own Utopia out of unideal circumstances? The piece follows a fantasy--- an attempt to create a different reality then what is suggested. It’s a coping mechanism.

*no one turned away for lack of funds

About the Artists

Jerome AB is a Kenyan-born architectural designer, movement artist and choreographer living and working between Brooklyn and Los Angeles. He has performed for and alongside Blood Orange, Casey Spooner, Caroline Polachek, Jimmy Valery Robert, Ryan McNamara, choreographer Julia Crockett and dance duo FlucT at spaces in New York City such as National Sawdust, MoMA PS1, Knockdown Center, Signal Gallery, Maw Gallery, Wild Space and Lever House as commissioned by Performa during Frieze.

He most recently completed a month-long intensive residency through Otion Front Studio in Brooklyn, culminating in an evening-length performance, featuring movement, poetry and live score by drummer Greg Fox.

His current body of work is focused on an ongoing performative video series featuring an expressionless humanoid character of unintelligible African origins, portrayed by Jerome and extensions thereof, dubbed Masculine Ken. In these pieces, Masculine Ken observes and confronts various psychological defense mechanisms and breaks down falsified intrapersonal realities that can occur as a result of internalized human exchange through movement and visual audio manipulation.

Spenser Theberge, a native of Portland, Oregon, USA, began his early dance training at the School of Oregon Ballet Theater. He continued his education at the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics and Columbia Dance, during which he was named a Presidential Scholar in the Arts and a National Young Arts Foundation awardee. Under the direction of Lawrence Rhodes, Spenser earned his BFA from the Juilliard School in 2009, and graduated as a Princess Grace Award recipient. Following graduation, he began working with the Netherlands Dance Theater 2, and was promoted to the Netherlands Dance Theater 1 shortly after. From 2013-2015, Spenser worked as a guest artist with The Forsythe Company, including the final performances before the company closed. His choreography has been commissioned and presented by institutions throughout North America and Europe, and his on going collaboration with partner Jermaine Spivey has been presented by Springboard Danse Montreal, Place des Arts, DISJECTA, Reed College, and Navel LA. In addition, he is working as a freelance teacher, performer, and choreographer throughout Europe, Asia, and the US.

About Queer Biennial

The Queer Biennial is an international survey focusing on the current moments in LGBTQ art and culture that showcases emerging, mid-career, and established artists. Featured work includes installation, film, live performance, and historical documentation. Artists included do not shy away from sexuality, identity, the body, and all around queerness. As independent curators/artists, we champion and challenge artists of all disciplines to temporarily step away from the white-box systems and explore new spaces in an unfiltered and organic fashion. Every exhibition or event is carefully researched and realized with an invited list of artists and curators from around the globe.

For more information and a full schedule of events, visit http://www.queerbiennial.com/schedule