Walking into Hallwalls Saturday night, it was apparent that this was not likely to be a normal display of artwork. A sign reading "Black and Blue Theater," assured the audience that the night's events would be out of the ordinary. And from this mysterious and ominous beginning to the last from-the-gut performance, the Kamikaze group - made entirely of UB arts students - did not disappoint.
At the beginning of the evening, the sexes were separated, with women entering a performance area immediately while men were forced first to wait, then undergo a special sort of "initiation" by two of Kamikaze's female members, media studies majors Anna Lavatelli, a junior, and Jen Roth, a senior. This reversal of typical power would make another appearance later in the night.
Roth's film "Silver/Screen/Dreams" was the first piece presented. Beginning with an everyday girl transformed by her makeup and clothing into a film star and moving through images of people made up in dream-like brilliance and acting much like mimes, Roth said the piece was about the "alter-image that you see on the screen and wanting to be something that you could never be ... Even attaining that level, that persona, and realizing it's not everything. And glitz and glamour!"
Next was "Stencil Theater," by Nick Golebiewski, a UB graduate with a degree in teaching. "Stencil Theater" was made of stencil cutouts illuminated by flashlights that created an impression of movement and was narrated by "Star Trek's" Spock. It "starred" a lazy man, a wife who thought she was too good for him, and two ants duped into doing all the lazy man's work. The ants' revenge leads to their devouring of the lazy man, with the action interspersed with commentary from Spock.
"Reshoot" by Brian Milbrand, a senior in media studies, was the performance. It was a live reenactment of artist Chris Burton's 1971 performance piece, "Shoot." The original piece consists of three photos and eyewitness statements that Chris Burton was shot in the arm, although there seems to be no real evidence of this happening.
Milbrand dismissed Burton's piece as a hoax, and so took up the cause of being the first performance artist to be shot on stage. Fellow Kamikaze member Tom Holt, a graduate of SUNY Purchase's painting program, pulled the trigger, with Lavatelli photographing the event.
UB media studies graduate student Alan Rhodes presented "Timecodes," which consisted of action shots reproduced in three frames on a screen. Stopping and starting at different times, the piece created a unique - albeit confusing - visual experience.
Next was Lavatelli's "You." The video was a collage of photos taken from the Internet, some very violent and graphic. "If this is me," the voice said as a flying insect was shown on screen, "...Then this is you," came the reply as a shot of a spider replaced the insect. The video continued with images of violence in nature and humanity interspersed by video of Lavatelli running from an unseen pursuer.
"(You) is about my personal life and how I constantly feel victimized. Then there's a dual point to the video, as every image is taken from the Internet. So it's also making a statement about how f---ed the Internet is, how f---ed society is," Lavatelli said.
Roth's "Remembering the Green" was next, composed of footage the artist shot in the Amazon rainforest last January. The peacefulness of the video gave it a decidedly environmentalist slant.
Next, Holt came on stage and began constructing a canvas for his performance titled, "Understanding," where he tried to explain what he was doing via a recorded speech as he performed. He fielded questions from the audience as he created a painting to symbolize his impressions of Buffalo using the color scheme on the Metro Rail.
Playing both rapist and victim, Milbrand presented "Rape." Although audience members seemed amused to see Milbrand on screen in a dress, the eye-opening film shows the turmoil, mindset, and damage affected on a rape victim.
To reverse the power images from "Rape," footage from the men's earlier experience in the Black and Blue Theater was shown. Roth said, "It was a comment on the woman's standpoint, just to show a different perspective. But actually the men were a bit more interested and willing than we expected, so it took on a more humorous tone."
The last film of the night was "Circles & O's" by Golebiewski. This film was a blunt anti-war piece advocating the dropping of SUVs on Iraq instead of bombs. Colors and old-style DOS prompts created an impression of anger towards SUV owners and the administration of President George W. Bush.
To end the show, Milbrand performed "Waiting," feigning intense nervousness and tears. By the end of his performance, he looked very unsettled, despite the fact that his nervousness did not seem genuine. At the piece's close, Milbrand admitted that he had intended to induce vomiting at the end of his piece - but groans from the audience assured him that perhaps it was for the best that the finale failed.
From start to finish, Kamikaze entertained and provoked the audience, physically and mentally. It was a truly unique experience, as the wide variety of films made sure everyone would find something they enjoyed. "You" by Lavatelli and "Rape" by Milbrand were especially powerful pieces, and the entire group made the evening a worthwhile time.
Kamikaze will perform next in early April at Squeaky Wheel.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
