About
Don't Leave Me This Way marks a change in Franko B's performance practice, formalising his departure from blood-based work into the realm of the metaphorical. Here he allows the viewer time to look at his naked body and approach it as a sculptural form, heavily tattooed and scarred, voluptuous in shape and size, either as part of a collective audience or in a one-to-one encounter.
Co-created with lighting designer Kamal Ackarie, lighting techniques will mimic the effect that Franko's bleeding body has on audience members, while opening up a new range of emotional and bodily responses. Franko B's work leaves metaphorical marks on the psyches of vulnerable spectators, moving empathetic viewers with the visceral charge of the prone body.
The performances will be shown in two formats:
Wednesday 25th June 2008
Individual, one-on-one performance with Franko B.
1pm - 4pm; 4.30pm 7pm
£5, £4 concs, £3 ICA members*
Thursday 26th June 2008
Group performance.
7pm & 7:30pm
£7, £6 concs £5 ICA members*
Talk & Screening
Don't Leave Me This Way
Thursday 26 June
Franko B and Kamal Ackarie discuss their collaboration on this new piece, the physical 'experience' of the work for both artists and for the audiences and the use of lighting design. The talk will be followed by a screening of the Don't Leave Me This Way documentary by Victor Ibaà ±ez. Through a series of on-the-spot interviews and live documentation of both the individual and group performances in the UK this film unfolds Franko's and Kamal's different perspectives as well as their collaborative work.
8.30pm
£5/£4 concs/£3 members or
Joint ticket on 26th only: Performance PLUS Talk & Screening
£10, £8 concs, £6 ICA members
* Please note performance contains nudity.
Notes to editors:
Franko B was born in Milan and has lived in London since 1979. He has been creating work across video, photography, performance, painting, installation, sculpture and mixed media since 1990. He has performed at the Tate Modern, ICA, South London Gallery and Beaconsfield and he has also presented various works internationally.
Kamal Ackarie was born in Adelaide, Australia in 1965. Kamal trained and worked at the Adelaide festival of arts and festivals across Australia. In 1989 he moved to London and worked in the theatre at the ICA from 1990-1993. From 1991-1996 Kamal toured extensively with Michael Laubs / Remote Control Company throughout Europe as both technical director and lighting designer. Kamal Ackarie currently works with Forma Arts and Media as technical director where he contributes to the program and works closely with a vast array of artists. See www.forma.org.uk for further info.
www.dontleavemethisway.net
www.franko-b.com
Co-ordinated by Irini Papadimitriou
Production assistant: Thomas Qualmann, Sound by U-inductio
The touring project Don't Leave Me This Way is kindly supported by the Arts Council England.
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