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Tempting Failure - ]performance s p a c e [ - ticket news

Tempting Failure is coming to London on Sunday 4th March.  

It has grown out of its origins to represent more than itself.  11 pieces were curated by the body-artist Thomas John Bacon to engage with an ethos of Tempting Failure as part of a new live art & transgressive performance platform.  Each work selected sought to engage with the role that sacrifice may play for the artist who challenges their practice or Being in the production of the living artifact: Be it via physical means or through a sense of exposure.  Be it metaphorical or actual.  And most importantly, be it through the risk of failure.  These were all areas of personal exploration for the curator, linked to his PhD research and forthcoming installation [RE]authoring through Sacrifice. 

But this platform, originally set to be staged in Bristol was a victim of censorship, something that Thomas John Bacon has experienced on more than one occasion due to the type of work he produces.  This lead the platform to be rehoused at ]performance s p a c e [ in London and has seen it grow to stand for more than its original enquiry but represent a statement that art cannot and should not be held back or hidden for the sake of others "protection."  We stand united in challenging the growth of conservative "safe" programming and our Aktions should be judged alone on their artistic merit and not the narrow-minded opinions of others who are more worried about the financial or funding implications that are imperceptibly perceived as being at stake for backing such work.  Only a minority of artists in the original programme were affected by the acts of censorship placed upon us in Bristol, but as a community of artists we stand united embracing the ethos of ]performance s p a c e [ WE ARE SENSITIVE NOT CENSORED.  

To this end Manick Govinda from ArtsAdmin has published an amazing article with regard to the censorship we experienced, which can be found here: http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php/site/article/11978/ 

Blogger, Remittance Girl has published a beginners introduction to our platform here:

http://remittancegirl.com/discussions/body-artworkaction-temptingfailure/

I welcome further engagements of writing and interest via tbaconx@gmail.com  

Tickets cost £5 - on the door

Sunday 4th March starting at 7pm

A map to the venue can be found here

Join us on social media

Twitter: we use the hash-tag #temptingfailure #London

Facebook: has the following event page set up (let us know if you are attending and invite your friends):  https://t.co/enxQh3ML

A press pack is available on request 

Tempting Failure: staying strong, staying united

Thank you for the support. I'd particularly like to thank those of you, whom this week who placed a vocal support behind me including, Manick Govinda at Arts Admin, Kerry Irvine at ScenePool, Helena Sands, Jo Bannon from Residence, Rebecca Yau, Jodie Rees, Ian Kubiak, Traumata, Mark Flisher, Rebecca Cunningham, Hannah Moore at Goldsmiths, Conor McCormack, Andrew from FrenchMottershead, Bobby Whittaker, Nick Kilby, Mark McGowan, Kris Canavan, Cara Davies from the Loft Project, Liz Clarke, Tom Bailey of Mechanical Animal, Paul W., and most importantly Jamie Lewis Hadley & Bean from ]performance s p a c e [ 

If you are interested in helping to support us then do please get in touch.  We will be working hard over the next few weeks so that audiences understand why we have relocated and where to and the more you spread the word in regard to this the easier it will be.  If you interested in writing an article about Tempting Failure, the artists involved or issues on censorship in the arts then do feel free to get in touch as feel.  

Thank you again - stay strong - stay united.  We are sensitive, not censored.  

Best wishes

Thomas John Bacon x

Sunday 4th March 2012

London 

TICKETS ON SALE SOON

WE ARE SENSITIVE NOT CENSORED

All press enquiries relating to the new ]ps [ venue should be directed toinfo@performancespace.org 

All other press enquiries should be directed to tbaconx@gmail.com

Thomas John Bacon's Tempting Failure LIVES at ]performance s p a c e [ London

"In light of the recent attempted censorship of Thomas John Bacon's 'Tempting Failure' due to take place at Beirkeller, Bristol ]performance s p a c e [  will now be hosting this event.  True to our mission statement ]performance s p a c e [  remains sensitive not censored. Please support the re-location of this project and freedom within the arts". - ]ps [

Sunday 4th March 2012

London 

TICKETS ON SALE SOON

WE ARE SENSITIVE NOT CENSORED

All press enquiries relating to the new ]ps [ venue should be directed to info@performancespace.org 

All other press enquiries should be directed to tbaconx@gmail.com

Tempting Failure CENSORED

Due to censorship issues by the venue this event is currently no longer taking place at the Bierkeller Bristol.  Tempting Failure is now looking for a new home and we will update you with news as soon as we have it.  Ticket holders can contact the Bierkeller venue directly for a refund.  


Further information on these events will be released soon - should you wish to assist Tempting Failure in finding a new home for Sunday 4th March then please do not hesitate to get in touch with me either via twitter @thomasjohnbacon or via tbaconx@gmail.com 

Tempting Failure artist line-up [updated]

Thomas John Bacon is a live artist whose work focuses upon the conception of the body, Being and a multiplicit Self.  In the build up to the forthcoming premiere of part two of his Triptych, he has curated an evening which seeks to engage with the role that sacrifice may play for the artist who challenges their practice or Being in the production of the living artifact: Be it via physical means or through a sense of exposure.  Be it metaphorical or actual.  And most importantly, be it through the risk of failure.  Tonight’s series of live art & transgressive performance from professional artists based across the UK has been selected by Thomas John Bacon to each uniquely engage with a shared ethos; to tempt failure.  

www.thomasjohnbacon.com

@thomasjohnbacon 

Version 2.3

In a continued [s]exploration into dissent, cause & effect, Version 2.3 moves into a controlled demolition of two connected bodies through an abstracted veil of Minimal Drag/Gender blurring and blunt force movement.  

"You are young and beautiful darling and you deserve the best things in life...but you weren't young and beautiful tonight" - Crystal Labeija

Kris Canavan & Nick Kilby

notesoncruelty.blogspot.com

@nkilby9932

www.kriscanavan.com 

@kriscanavan

the space between you and me

Exploring intimacy, survival and reparation the performance is a process of revelation; peeling away the layers, searching for ‘bare life’, the air pocket between the wall and the wallpaper... the space between you and me.

Helena Sands 

www.sandsh78.blogspot.com

@hsands

The King of Beauty

While life thrives, beauty seems to fade – a fact that the King of Beauty can’t come to terms with. In a bid to preserve his appearance, he eats lipstick to fill the emptiness inside. As time goes by, he realises quests born of vanity are unfulfilling, empty and solitary.

Allan Taylor

www.allanstanleytaylor.com

@Allan_Taylor

Hand In Glove

Intercutting male bodybuilding poses with the charges of heraldry. An exploration of looking and being seen, the performance references Lacanian theory, and ideas around disgust and display.

Mark Leahy

www.markleahy.net

@gmarkleahy

[deletia]

a romantic ritual exploring the aftermath of failed romance, using the body as the canvas 

in acts of memory, pain and tenderness. 

Hellen (aka Traumata)

www.traumata.org

@Traumata

Tracing the Pathway

Glancing Back is a series of participatory interventions engaging audience members in a documentary mapping of bodies in space. Concretising what is missing by focusing on what is first present, we seek a collaborative and embodied approach to archival lacunae.  

Cara Davies, Joseph Dunne, Mads Floor Andersen & Rosanna Traina

tracingthepathway.wordpress.com 

@TracingPathways

Laced 

Lace, thread, slide, feed them close together, in and through the other. Lace.

Pull, bring white to the finger tips, stretch and strain the spine. Lace.

Complete, repeat and return.

Holly Johnson

@johnson_holly1 

Spitting Distance

I am broken, and just like my Dad did, I want you to make me better again through the polysemous act of spitting. 

Mark Flisher

www.markflisher.co.uk

@MarkFlisher

Failure to COMMUNICATE

Madness - Somewhere within it lies sancitity, reasoning and sound thought {Sound} Thoughts without names     Learning from past masters.

Taylor Le Fin

idlevault.blogspot.com

@TLeFin

True Love Waits

A durational participatory project engaging with cycles of boredom, play, improvisation and space making. with no intention towards or expectation of an outcome; a non-verbal something out of nothing. 

@skeeterdani

daniabulhawa.wordpress.com

Sardonik Grin

Sardonik Grin is the live sound scuplture project of Llewyn Máire (kabbage23, Try My Cabbage, gyrl grip).  

A previous sound collaborator on the Traces of Being project with Thomas John Bacon, Llewyn Máire brings a wonderful live sound to the evening.  Thriving in the liminal spaces of gender, culture, life and death, Máire’s work seeks to expose, challenge and explore the constructs of identity, the mediation of socio-cultural experiences, and the influence of power.  

@kabbage23

kabbage.panzen.net 

Update - due to relocation issues, 'Cannonballista' by Liz Clarke can sadly no longer feature as part of Tempting Failure.  Liz Clarke said, "I truly wish you every success and you have my support in any other way I can be of help. As an artist & producer here in Bristol I will always support your work where & how I can." 


Lee Campbell is also unable to join us due to exciting news today of an extension to his residency at a gallery in L.A.  

Tempting Failure - LONDON

16

My legs
My soles
My heart
My ass
My hands
My hair
My cock
My face
My eyes
My elbows
My knee
My chest
My scrotum
My palms
My other knee
My fingers

How to begin a Butoh journey.

As a live artist I use Butoh as part of my process to develop work. Sometimes I include this within the practice and other times it is a means for me to explore my Self outside of the performance venue. I trained in the form and have choreographed full Butoh shows in the past but as part of the exciting programme of skill sharing at Bristol's Tobacco Factory Theatre I shall be sharing some of the basics of this Japanese physical form of expressionistic movement

This a rare chance to work with me and this exciting form of movement rarely taught in the UK.

The class will take place on 31st October 2011 from 6 to 8pm. 

You will explore some of the basic principles of posture and movement. You will create a meditative Butoh walk, leading to basic rises, and work towards creating a short piece of stylised movement.

Please wear loose clothing and bring a picture or a short Haiku to share with the group. You will be required to work bare foot. This class is aimed at a novice level but you should be prepared to take part in an extensive and physical warm up.

To book please visit: http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?agency=TOBACCOFT&organ_val=30027&event_val=1197&schedule=list

For more information visit: http://tobaccofactorytheatre.com/plus/makers/learning/skill-share_/

Reviewing for Total Theatre

From 2001 to 2008 I worked freelance as a critic for a variety of national periodicals & websites. I stopped when leaving London as at that time I reported for national film press and could no longer attend screenings based in my new location.

I found my ability to critically analyse outside of my artistic field very stimulating but never caused a conflict of interest. Now in 2011 I am starting to review again for Total Theatre and this time will be covering performance work, including dance, theatre & live art. It is natural to consider the potential for a conflict of interest but as I grow as an academic and as an artist it is only reasonable to expect reflection, dialogue and opinion from one peer to another. I will never sensationally destroy a work for no reason other than to hurt it, and I will endeavour to be fair in my critique as I would expect others to be of my own work. Ultimately what I share will be my opinion alone, with the only difference being that it comes from within the artistic circle (should one exist) rather than from outside. I am an active artist first and foremost.

Adult Content

Please note that I have had to temporarily remove the adult content warning from this site.

This website is still not suitable for all, but the pop up warning was causing Mac & Safari users to be unable to access the web site.

I apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Archive video footage from 2009

Butoh footage from the archive of Psychosis.  

This film is the uncut first half of the piece and does not include the second half which featured my first blood work.  

Activate Issue 1, Vol. 1: On the Paper Floor

"activate" is a peer-reviewed electronic journal in the field of performance and creative research. Based in the Department of Drama, Theatre and Performance at Roehampton University, London, it is run by postgraduates as a forum for postgraduate and postdoctoral scholars to publish their work.  Each edition focuses on a specific theme and aims to include a range of new critical and performative practices in relation to it.

http://www.thisisactivate.net/e-journal/onthepaperfloor/

My contribution to this journal comes in the form of the following paper: "Traces of Being: a document of absence in words."  This paper features a performative text that collaborates between Thomas John Bacon [myself], Ron Athey & Helen Spackman.  

http://www.thisisactivate.net/2011/05/20/traces-of-being/ 

Site Maintenance

Over the next week I am refreshing & updating the site. During this time you may notice some changes or a few errors as things are altered. I ask that you bear with me and check back regularly. x

Live Art - select highlights - Thomas John Bacon

Find more photos like this on Contemporary Performance Network