The Crystal Ark
June 18th, 2011Led by artist-musician-mystic Gavin Russom, The Crystal Ark played a showcase last night at Sugarhill Disco in Bed-Stuy. Gavin has toured with LCD Soundsystem and has recorded albums with DFA. He also exhibited work with Delia Gonzalez at Daniel Reich Gallery, NYC. Now he and his band rock polyester tracksuits with epaulets and badges, performing 15-minute dance trips through synths and drumming. Ten bucks says these awesome shakers of moneymakers will be coming to a MoMA near you.
Projections by Bec Stupak/Honeygun Labs; sound design by Jim Toth and his obelisk Herculoids.
“On Friday, June 17th, a Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood disco—a labyrinthine gem frozen in another era—will host a showcase performance by The Crystal Ark, a 9-person-strong musical ensemble led by sonic magician and DFA recording artist Gavin Russom in collaboration with the internationally renowned multimedia artist Viva Ruiz.
Other members include DFA stalwarts Tyler Pope and Matt Thornley. Replete with custom lights and visual effects by the artists Bec Stupak (Deitch Projects, Whitney Biennial) and Johnny Woods of Honeygun Labs, plus custom sound by Jim Toth (MoMA’s sound designer), the performance will also feature choreographed dances and improvisational interludes.
This is a chance to witness some of the music and art worlds’ most original talent in a most original setting.
ABRACADABRA and The Crystal Ark would like to thank Adidas, The FADER, Justine D, the Bond Music Group and DFA Records. This event would not be possible without their generous moral and financial support.”