LBC CenterStage AURA A Conversation With Douglas Hart by Sander Roscoe Wolff Douglas Hart has been challenging convention for a long time. He pioneered the "underground" club scene in Long Beach with Beneath Broadway, worked with erotic photographic artist Liezel Ruben, and has been a tireless supporter of the arts. He is presenting a collection of new works at the Hellada Gallery on Saturday, February 8th, from 6 - 10 PM. Because of the fragile nature of the immersive experience he's creating, the show, entitled "Reception Perception Deception," will only be available for public viewing for one night only. Mr. Hart has gathered a holy trinity of curatorial genius embodied by Kamran Assadi, Dr. Frauke Von Der Horst, and Shelley RuggThorp. Mr. Assadi, aside from his artistry with food at the celebrated Utopia restaurant, is himself a multi-media artist and arts advocate. Ms. RuggThorp, recently departed from the offices of the East Village Association, is a bold and daring artist in her own right. Dr. Von Der Horst is a celebrated Art historian whose expertise in Dadaism is only exceeded by her charm and wit. The interview took place electronically, via the Internet. LBC: How would you describe your curators' role in presenting your work? Douglas Hart: The curatorial team is advising and collaborating in the presentation of the work. The presentation is a crucial component. LBC: Tell me about the presentation, and its importance. Douglas Hart: The element of Reception is important to the Perception of the work. LBC: I understand Perception. Please explain 'Reception'. Douglas Hart: There are two components to Reception. one is the participation of the audience, and the other is related to the way the audience receives the work. LBC: That is true of any art. How do these things play a special role in this instance? Douglas Hart: Because they are fore-grounded. LBC: So, the audience participation in the perception of the work forms the Reception? Douglas Hart: Not exactly...one first perceives and then processes, and the end result is the Reception. LBC: Thank you for clearing that up! If you don't mind, I'd like to move on. You've done a lot of interesting things in your life, Doug. Why 'art'? Douglas Hart: What do you mean? I've been making art for a long time. LBC: But why? Douglas Hart: Do you mean visual art, because I've been making art in one form or another for many years. I'm still investigating... LBC: So, are you saying that art is a process of investigation? Douglas Hart: Absolutely! Yes, that's a component of the art process. LBC: So, what forms of art have you investigated in your work? Douglas Hart: Please rephrase the question... LBC: You said, 'I've been making art in one form or another for many years.' What are those forms? Douglas Hart: Theatrical Arts, Performance Art, Multi-media and Collaborative works. LBC: Which of these forms will be represented in the upcoming show? Douglas Hart: There are elements of all of these forms in this exhibition. LBC: It sounds like you're creating a very dynamic environment. Will there be any danger? Douglas Hart: Danger to whom? LBC: The audience? Douglas Hart: They will be physically safe, but one cannot guarantee the psychological impact. LBC: Tell me about one specific piece in the show, how you came to create it, and what you hope the audience to experience in experiencing it. Douglas Hart: The piece called disappearance is conceived as a self-portrait. I did think a lot along the lines of your inquiries: such as who I am as an artist. This led me to understand that it is something beyond who I am in my ordinary life, something in addition to it. It is, in "art-speak," referred to as an aura, and I came to understand that and needed to find a way to make that as a work which communicates this indefininable [sic] surplus. The Hellada Gallery is located in the East Village, at 144 Linden Avenue, between First Street and Broadway. There is no charge for admission. !!!View Doug's LBC page and events Learn more about Sander Roscoe Wolff Do you know an artist that we should feature in LBC CenterStage? We'd like to hear from you. Send us your LBC CenterStage suggestion View Previous CenterStage Features