This summer, Birmingham's Ikon Gallery will be transformed into a stage for performance art. Of course, Indonesia's top performance artist Melati Suryodarmo will not be missing. Between May 17 and June 4, the curious will be able to watch her explore human boundaries live - for up to 12 hours at a time, if they wish.
It's summer 2023 - and the Ikon Gallery in Birmingham is transforming into a platform for performance art. As part of this moving stage, it will host the first UK exhibition of performance artist Melati Suryodarmo - one of Indonesia's most sought-after artists - from May 17. Her trademark: elaborate performances lasting several hours in which she explores the boundaries of body and mind, for example by dancing on butter (Exergie - Butter Dance, 2000). Melati Suryodarmo: Passionate Pilgrim comprises both live performances by Suryodarmo herself and »delegated works« performed by 50 accompanying artists. A focus of the event will be on building a performance art network.
For four decades, Melati Suryodarmo has presented durational performances, installations, and films that fuse live art with sculpture, drawing, and time-based media. In the 1990s, collaborations with renowned dancers, choreographers, and other performance artists helped her achieve success.
Beginning May 17, Ikon Gallery will host the performances Sweet Dreams Sweet (2013), Suryodarmo's longest work to date I'm a Ghost in My Own House (12 h, 2012), Kleidungsaffe (Engl. Clothes Ape) (2006), and the titular hybrid performance Passionate Pilgrim (2010). Present to Presence, a laboratory for performance art involving Indonesian and British artists, takes place from 1-4 June. Admission to all events is free; donations are encouraged. Ikon Gallery's full performance summer ends on September 3.
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