Ann Liv Young in Jail

December 3 - 6, 2014

Viewing hours: 7 - 11 pm (come anytime)

JACK puts performance art pariah Ann Liv Young in a jail cell for four nights, with viewing sessions from 7–11 pm each night. Following a series of incidents with her participation (including her infamous interruption – through her avatar, Sherry – of another performer’s piece at American Realness Festival; the PS1 debacle of a few years ago; as well as a 2013 performance at JACK, which ended up with Young in a physical struggle with an audience member), we wanted to find out what an Ann Liv Young performance would be like if she was stripped of control over the space. When approached about this project, Ann Liv Young graciously agreed to undergo such “punishment.”

Ann Liv Young was born on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and has been creating performance pieces for over ten years, presenting her work at such venues as MOMA PS1, Brooklyn Museum, The Kitchen, Dance Theater Workshop, P.S. 122, Judson Church, Danspace Project at St. Mark's Church, and at many significant international venues and festivals. A 2003 graduate of Hollins University's prestigious dance program, Young has also studied at Laban Centre London. Her work has been praised by Art Forum, the New York Times, the Village Voice, and The Guardian, and was featured in Michael Blackwood's documentary New York Dance: States of Performance (2010). Ann Liv performed “Sherry” in “Girl Monster Orchestra,” presented by Chicks on Speed in Switzerland and Sweden (2010). She has reinterpreted the stories of Snow White (2006–2008), George and Martha Washington (The Bagwell in Me, 2008–2009) and Cinderella (2010-11).

Photo by Brian Harkin