J.J. McCracken's performance art tends to cause visceral reactions

One of the most powerful performances at last year's (e)merge art fair? "Thirst, and the Martyr" by J.J. McCracken. The performance drew scores of people out of the art fair inside the Capitol Skyline hotel to the pool deck and mesmerized us with bright sound of clay pots lightly hitting each other, the melancholy sound of the washtub bass, and the slow tortuous movement of the performers. This performance was a huge WOW!

J.J. is back this year with a new performance on Sunday at 1PM when she will perform "The Huntress":

The Huntress
The artist constructs a portrait of a woman punished for voicing political opinion in the Capitol Hill neighborhood less than two centuries ago. Through details mined from DC history, a character sketch emerges through performative gesture.

J.J. has been around the DC performance art scene for a while now. I remember first seeing her work when she performed "Living Sculpture" at Project 4 Gallery when it was still located at street level on U Street. A small crowd gathered on the sidewalk and peered into the window to see three lovely and mysterious figures perform ordinary tasks in an extraordinary presentation. They were covered in lustrous clay making even just watching the performance a visceral experience for the viewer. J.J.'s performances tend to do that! I can't wait to see what "The Huntress" will evoke.

Here's more about last year's perofrmance:

The Martyr is at once a hoarder and a provider.

She may be viewed as opposing sides of the same character, at war with each other, or as two individuals at odds, refusing compromise and unable to work together.

While examining actions of self-service, self-sacrifice, and self-centeredness, Thirst, and the Martyr questions the availability and distribution of resources critical to our survival on this planet.

Hope is challenged but not fully extinguished as the struggle drones on.

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Visit JJMcCracken.com and click on Performance/Installation for still images

Thirst, and the Martyr was written, designed and constructed by J.J. McCracken
Special thanks to Margaret Boozer & Red Dirt Studio for project support
This project was funded in part by an award from the Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation

Performers
Characters: J.J. McCracken, Synda McCracken
Washtub bass: Marc Blackwood

Sound Engineering, Video
Marc Blackwood