Art	Now It's Dark... by Caitlin DeRose

Whoever said that the freaks come out at night was clearly on the ball. Nighttime is freeing; it’s an escape from the banality of the nine-to-five. It’s the time to do whatever you like, not whatever you have to do. In the spirit of exploring all that goes on in the shadows, Hallwalls hosts Nocturminal, its 20th annual Artists & Models Affair, on Saturday night (June 2) at the Buffalo Central Terminal. This one-of-a-kind annual blowout features 28 artist installations/performances and five musical acts that all somehow tie in together under the theme of curiously creepy activities and ideas that originate somewhere in the darkness.

The artists for Nocturminal are each instrumental in the coming-together of this event, and there are so many individuals involved that it would be unfair to let anyone go unmentioned. James Andrix, from Enlightened Vanguard Ltd., will interview potential job applicants for his company throughout the evening. Michael Bosworth’s light installations resemble magic lanterns and live infrared signals. Also using light installations, Nick Bruscia and Peter McCarthy begin first with darkness, then find their way into the light by way of site-specific explorations of perspective and space. David Butler and a few friends will be on hand to promote a special little pill recently launched by Butlex Pharmaceuticals called Resurrecta, for anyone needing a little pick-me-up. The Buffalo Super Friends (Alan Rhodes, Leah Rico, Chris Ernst and Jamie Currie) use a sound and film installation called “passage” to invoke the fantastical possibilities of travel—through your bellybutton. Nathanial Freeman uses an installation which harnesses the power of water.

Hans Gindlesberger and Soyeon Jung explore distance and observation through an elongated pair of binoculars they constructed. Dana Hatchett and Mark Lavatelli will adopt the personalities of Gauguin and Van Gogh, respectively, for the evening as they sketch your portrait in 15 minutes.

And what would the morning drive be without a little surprise of extra color added to the route every now and then? Tom Holt and Jim Cellotto will graffiti-style custom tag patrons’ names, who will also walk away with a souvenir. Caroline Koebel’s film installation compares the glory days of the Central Terminal to the vacant behemoth it has become.

Connlith Keogh floats life-sized bodies overhead of party revelers. Meg Knowles takes a stand for hamsters everywhere by creating an installation with an interactive display that places you inside the cage, running on a wheel. Man or beast? Tough to say.

Knife Crazy

Anna Chiaretta Lavatelli’s three-channel video installation mixes real time video with portraits to explore dichotomies such as motion and stillness, progress and decay. Andy Maas takes simple things like flashlights and turntables and transfigures them into a display of lights, shadows and reflections.

Sean McGarry’s enclosure uses paintings and live models as he explores what occurs in the evening, and what undeniable emotions can emerge at night. Marty McGee and Mick Gross installed a “black box” theater space where perceptions are altered by light and patrons can participate.

Remember that creature from under the bed? He’s going to be at this party, too, but his name is actually Brian Milbrand, and he won’t bite. Flying in all the way from New York City, Pat Oleszko’s extravagantly costumed performance will be amplified by huge and equally extravagant blow-up characters placed around the party. Dave Pape uses a media installation to mix the imagery of the night sky from the ancient past through the present day. Don Paul Swain’s “Freudian slit” allows viewers to re-enter the birth canal.

Local photographer Nancy Parisi will have visitors pose among a variety of hand-painted backdrops. Mark Street found films and footage of Buffalo reflecting the direction of the past and that of the future, which is shown in a looping projection. Kate Wilson could not be at the event in person, so she sent ahead a video she put together of clips from Hallwalls way back when. Seth Wochensky invites you to come and play—literally—in his sandbox of grain as he hopes to inspire the memory of Buffalo’s industrial history, which Wochensky was himself inspired with after he filmed a documentary in 2002 of grain scoopers.

Other artists also participating in this event include Curtis Erlinger, Brian Kavanaugh, Cole Ritter and Paul Schiek. Musical acts that will take the stage, beginning at 9pm, are local rock band Knife Crazy, followed by Lazlo Hollyfeld, with hip-hop group Pseudo Slang (Emcee Sick, Tone Atlas, Dj Cutler) to play out the rest of the party. Tucked away from the main stage in the “Raga Room” will be East Indian group Sitar Jamz, made up of brothers Ravi, Aneal and Naryan Padmanabha. And what’s a good party without a bit of a parade? The 12/8 Path Band’s lively rhythms will get those knees up and feet moving in place.

The party starts at 9pm, and tickets are available at Talking Leaves (both Elmwood and Main locations), New World Record, Caffe Aroma in Williamsville and at Hallwalls in the Church on Delaware. You must be 18 to enter, 21 to drink obviously. And you must dress for the occasion. See you there.