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RAT Holly Hughes
HOLLY HUGHES in
PREACHING TO THE PERVERTED,
a tour of the dark side of democracy
(BALTIMORE, MD) Theatre Project [a Md. non profit org.] presents
Preaching to the Perverted, a tour of the dark side of democracy, a new
work written and performed by Holly Hughes. Editorial and directorial
assistance by Lois Weaver. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays,
February 25, 26, March 3 and 4, at 8PM. All tickets $15. Theatre
Project is located in Baltimore at 45 W. Preston Street (across
Cathedral Street from the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall). Call the Theatre
Project Box Office at 410.752-8558.
Jesse Helms called her a "garbage artist." Holly Hughes, a seminal
figure in performance art, became the subject of international
controversy as one of the NEA 4. In 1990, the director of the National
Endowment for the Arts at that time, John Frohnmayer, denied the
recommended solo grants to Ms. Hughes and three others, because of the
content of their art. Theatre Project's Founder, Philip Arnoult served
as the chairperson of the grant panel. The artists sued, arguing that
the government's "standard of decency" violated their right to free
speech. Three levels of judicial arbitration, including the 9th Federal
Circuit Court ruled in the artists' favor. But the U.S. Supreme Court
voted in 1998 to overturn the decision. This experience is the central
issue of Preaching to the Perverted.
Preaching to the Perverted. made its debut in the summer of 1999 as a
work in progress at Dixon Places's HOT Festival, in New York. This
performance will mark Holly Hughes' premiere engagement in Baltimore.
Robert Mrozek, Director of Theatre Project commented that, "Holly
Hughes generates a palpable energy in performance -- a combination of
her stage presence and the intelligence and wit of the content of her
art. But sometimes powerful, controversial art seems to propagate an
odd flip-side. Those who denounced Holly Hughes and her art --
regardless if they had actually seen the work or harbor any feelings one
way or the other -- found considerable profit and position that might
not have otherwise been available. The power of Ms. Hughes' work may
have cost her a few clams, but for her detractors it was a windfall. A
similar effect was evident last fall with the Sensations exhibit at the
Brooklyn Museum -- something to think about , especially in an election
cycle where money seems to be an issue."
Holly Hughes is a writer and performance artist. Other works include:
Clit Notes, World Without End, Dress Suits to Hire and Well of
Horniness. "O Solo Homo: The New Queer Performances" co-edited by
Hughes and David Roman, won the 1998 Lambda book Award for theater.
Hughes has developed original theater pieces with students at a number
of universities including the University of Colorado, Kalamazoo College,
University of Northern Iowa and DeMonfort University in Leicester,
England.