Ron Athey (Lecture)
@ SAIC Columbus Auditorium
280 S. Columbus Drive, Chicago, IL
Opening Tuesday, February 4th, from 6PM - 8PM
Ron Athey is an iconic figure in the development of contemporary art and performance. In his frequently bloody portrayals of life, death, crisis, and fortitude in the time of AIDS, Athey calls into question the limits of artistic practice. These limits enable his exploration of key themes, including gender, sexuality, radical sex, queer activism, post-punk and industrial culture, body modification, and ritual. Athey began his underground performances in 1981, and in 1992 he began his performance “torture” trilogy: Martyrs and Saints, 4 Scenes In A Harsh Life, and Deliverance. His latest performance, Messianic Remains is the fourth installation in the Incorruptible Flesh series and explores the artist’s life within his own post-AIDS body. As in earlier works in the series, Athey plays into the myth of enlightenment in the face of death. This lecture is co-sponsored by SAIC’s Visiting Artists Program and Department of Performance.
A book signing will immediately follow. Pleading in the Blood: The Art and Performance of Ron Athey will be available for purchase courtesy of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago Store.
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