Two Johns and a Whore: Well Hung and Packed at Coagula

I admit it, I curated this show, so I am biased, but damn, the “Two Johns and a Whore” opening at Coagula Curatorial on January 11 was a fun, over the top night of art and people. There were five openings on Chung King Road, and by 7:30 the scene was hopping, cameras flashing, red dots getting placed, and a cool, happy party vibe was on tap–as were beer, wine and soft drinks. A rare performance by artist John Fleck, plus Johnny Madcap and the Distractions playing John Roecker’s songs made for really special evening.

At the outdoors table, artists Mimi Universe and Lady Vapour passed out sample strips of White Whore perfume designed especially by Lady Vapour for “Two Johns and a Whore” to compliment Universe’s piece Magick Mirror.

Magick Mirror is an homage to American painter, sculptor, photographer, video artist and performance artist,  Hannah Wilke, and features gum chewed by Universe and fellow artists Anthony Ausgang and Jane Cantillon who are also showing. Cantillon incorporated food products into her work The Rapture in which a female figure made of nuts, Wellbutrin and generic statins prays beneath a crucifix. Religion appeared in Kelly Thompson’s Man Whore which presents actor Russell Brand as Mary Magdalene, and the theme of the Magdelene, this time redeemed, is central to Rafael Reyes’ Magdalene’s Temple. Anthony Ausgang tackles the show’s theme head on with Two Johns and a Whore.  Louie Metz’s Three Figure Study confronts sexual ennui and blue collar dystopia.

Kelly Blunt’s Blue Wig addresses her conflicts as an artist and her past as stripper, and former film and television producer Sheila Cameron gives a pointed commentary on Hollywood with The Ho Sign. Mike Street’s Bette Davis also referenced the Hollywood sign and the concept of fame. Oriana Small, author of Girlvert who acts in adult films under the name Ashley Blue, delivered DSL, a bold portrait of a blond.

And speaking of bold portraits, there are two. Of me. Naked. Because both Stacy Lande and Bradford J. Salamon said they would only be in the show if they could paint me. And it was an honor to be painted by them both.

So that’s the “Whore” section. The two Johns, Fleck and Roecker, made their gallery debuts. Fleck, known for his bold, confrontational yet sensitive performance art, created an equally strong set of monoprints, Ass-i-Nine, nine works featuring his his ass. They are colorful, playful, tender and beautiful. Fleck also staged a special performance for the opening arriving in a white robe and headdress made of toilet paper, singing an aria, then reading a playful poem, full of pop culture riffs, written on toilet paper which he shredded and threw on the crowd.

Roecker’s works, primarily ink and water color on paper, are studies of sex, celebrity, religion and death, with some Manson Family thrown in for good measure.A sampling of Roecker’s songwriting skills were showcased by Johnny Madcap and the Distractions who played after Fleck’s performance, followed CARTWHEELart contributor Alex Gordon (who in real life is a composer and DJ) playing a set of his music.

I could go on about the pink walls mirrors orifices, the religious and sociosexual connotations of the show’s title, the alluring subtexts, and how the artwork was hung to continually cross reference other pieces, but really, it was all about insuring a wonderful debut for Fleck and Roecker who trusted me enough enough to do this, as did the other artists.

 

Fleck performs, using fellow performance artist Johanna Went as a foil.

The aftermath.

Lady Vapour and Mimi Universe

Jane Cantillon explains her work to Heidi Johnson.

Rafael Reyes, Magdalene’s Temple; Sheila Cameron, The Ho Sign; Oriana Small, DSL; Bradford J. Salamon, Lisa Derrick

Ausgang with his painting Two Johns and a Whore.

Louie Metz with artist Guia Avesani

Kelly Blunt, with Blue Wig

The Ho Sign, Sheila Cameron; and DSL, Oriana Small (Ashley Blue)

Mike Street with his piece Bette Davis, and Rafael Reyes

Stacy Lande, Toil N’ Trouble, with her model, curatrix Lisa Derrick

Sheila Cameron, Lisa Derrick, Oriana Small

The two Johns, Fleck and Roecker, with Lisa Derrick

John Fleck

John Fleck and Randy LaBorde

Roecker’s work.

Roecker with Spade Munroe, who met in real life at the show after being friends on Facebook. She made a piece of art for him.

Johnny Madcap and the Distractions

Stacy Lande and Keith Dugas

Llyn Foulkes, Mat Gleason, Andi Campognone, with photo bombs from Dark Bob and Eric Mihn Swenson

All photos Victor Lightworship, except top and Roecker/Munroe by Lisa Derrick