Ellie Kingsbury, “Coco Dupree”, mixed media, 23”w x 17”h x 3”d, 2023
Ellie Kingsbury has long studied cultural expectations of the body, largely through photographic images of “ordinary” people. She has started a new chapter of this work by photographing burlesque performers. Removed from the stage, set onto plain black backgrounds, and printed on large panels of silk, these bodies undulate, ripple, and transform, summoning thoughts of spirit over skin. She furthers the effect by utilizing physical dimension as well as the dimension of time and space.
What do we share with these sequined, glamorous performers? Do we equate the burlesque community as just bodies on a stage, or do we contemplate the person behind the costume? Do we all put ourselves on stage from time to time? Do burlesque performers feel limited by the same cultural expectations that we live with? When we watch burlesque do we understand a difference between sexualizing a body and celebrating sensuality?
Working with these questions, the artist reception will feature everyday (non-burlesque) performers who will interact with the silks, and invite the audience to do the same.
Public Reception: Saturday, September 23, 6:00 – 8:30 pm
Interpretive performance will start around 6:45, after which the audience will be invited to interact with the work.
“Some Body” will also be included in Twin Cities Art Week
September 27 – October 1. Visit www.tcartweek.org for more info.
Gallery hours: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 12:00 noon – 6:00 pm and by appointment.
All events are free and open to the public.
Form+Content Gallery
Whitney Square Building, 210 North Second Street, Suite 104, Minneapolis, MN 55401
One block north of Washington Avenue North and two blocks west of East Hennepin Avenue.
Parking is available on the street (metered) and in neighborhood parking ramps. See our website for additional parking options.
More Information
formandcontent@gmail.com | (612) 436-1151 | www.formandcontent.org