RAT Symfolium

["Adam Gertsacov" <kafclown@well.com>]

This sounds like a really cool symfolium!!!
I think I might try and go!

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CONTACT: SYMFOLIUM
4519, Saint-Denis street  Montreal, Qc  H2J 2L4
(514) 522-3223

info@symfolium2000.org
www.symfolium2000.org

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SYMFOLIUM INTRODUCTION:

The committed folly is a happy mix of artistic foolishness and
politically and socially committed art which has spawned, among other
things, burlesque terrorism, resistance through absurdity and media
hoaxes.

Committed artists are those who believe and will always believe that the
world can be a better place and that the present global reality is not
the ideal or the only one possible.

 In the past, these idealists have continually played a prominent role in
the improvement of the human condition. The new and the unknown have only
ever been open and accessible to those who dare depart from accepted
beliefs and reason to try to discover new avenues. Those fools are always
the initiators if not the principal actors in the development of
civilizations.

To challenge contemporary reason and its implacable logic, the only
available avenue to achieve change is through the absurd. Everywhere on
earth, creative people from all disciplines are taking this route.
Through their art they attempt to keep the world from becoming bound by
indifference, they try to provoke change and at the very least instill in
the generations to come the conviction that improvement is possible.

Parallel to this route are the upholders of crazy wisdom - philosophers
and monks in search of non-logic as a means of achieving enlightenment or
a wisdom that approximates happiness.

The means may be different but, in both cases, liberating foolishness and
emancipating craziness have the same goal: improving the human condition.

The plan is to hold an international symposium of committed fools and
crazy sages, a global symposium which would gather the maximum number of
artistic disciplines around this one theme.

A symposium created by artists and philosophers from Quebec and beyond
united by the idea that absurdity can be liberating. A meeting of those
who speak through actions and act through speaking.

A gathering which will allow participants, through the creation,
exhibition and sharing of their works, to get to know one another,
establish contacts and create solidarity. To further push the idea of
going beyond boundaries.

A symposium which would be a great artistic event due to the quality of
its works and the time and place given to reflections of gentle craziness
and to a subject that concerns us all, human happiness.

In partnership with local institutions (municipalities, universities,
museums...) and the artistic community, different spaces and forums will
be devoted to conferences, performances, exhibitions, theatrical
interventions, screenings, discussions and celebrations.. Above all,
spaces and places of joyfulness.

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PARTICIPANTS TO DATE:

BELGIUM

Noel Godin:  Pie Thrower, author of many books including: CrËme et
Ch’timent (Cream and Punishment), L'anthologie de la subversion carabinÈe
(The Raging Subversion Anthology).

Robert Dehoux: This 72-years-old philosopher was close to the
Situationists, Guy Debord and Raoul Vanegan. Author of "Le zizi sous
clÙture inaugure la culture".

Yan Buquoy: Film director (La vie sexuelle des Belges, Camping Cosmos,
Renault Vilvort) who has publicly executed an effigy of the king.

FRANCE

Pierre Carles: Film director (Pas vu pas pris) who still gets into a lot
of trouble with his bunch of friends.

Benoit De L'Špine: Conceptor of the Guignols de l'info on Canal Plus,
appears regularly on Le journal le Moustic.

 Michel Sitbon: Anarchist literature editor, maison Dagorno, maison du
LÈzard. Invited to give a conference about drugs and literature.


USA

 Paul Krassner: Los Angeles standup comic, satirist writer, editor of
"The Realist" review since 1959. Friend of Lenny Bruce and prominent
figure of the California underground.

Wes Scoop Nisker: San Francisco, radio show host since 1963, author
(Crazy Wisdom). "If you don't like the news go out and make some of your
own." Leads meditation workshops.

Wavy Gravy: San Francisco, Activist clown and animator.

Ed Homes: San Francisco, organizes the Saint-Stupid's Day Parade to the
San Francisco Stock Exchange since 1979. Founder of the First Church of
the Last Laugh. Email: saintstupid@.org

B.B.B. (Biotic Baking Brigade): San Francisco pie-throwing movement.

Arnold Passman: Berkley, California, this absolute lunatic is a nomad of
imaginary territories.


 CANADA

Dan Vie: Vancouver, organizes the Fools Parade on each April Fool's Day.
          contact: foolish@smartt.com

 Raging Grannies: Vancouver and Montreal, those very visible grandmas are
of manifestation.


QUEBEC

Normand Baillargeon: Writer, journalist, and university professor

ATSA: Action Terroriste Socialement Acceptable (Socially Acceptable
Terrorist Action)

Monon'c Serge: Satirical songwriter

Roch Larue: Rock songwriter

Norman Nawrocki: Rhythm Activium (music band), Cirque en Cache, performer.

Jean Derome: Saxophonist, composer, musique actuelle

Joane HÈtu: Saxophonist, composer, musique actuelle

Fanfare Pourpour: Brass band

Pascale BussiËres: Actress

Sylvie Legault: Comedian

 Frederic Teyssier: Comedian, stage director for the ProcËs du
MillÈnaire, founding member of l'Ange ý deux tÍtes.
www.altern.org/angea2t/home.html

Les Impatients: Art therapy center
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THE EVENTS:

 Date: April 1 through 9, 2000, activities will be scheduled from dawn to
dusk.

Principal Places and events:

Theatre du Nouveau Monde,
84, rue Sainte-Catherine ouest
     - A special event, The trial of the Millennium, will be a one night
happening!

Maison de la culture Plateau Mont-Royal,
465, avenue Mont-Royal est
     -8 days of circle-conferences will be given by different
participants and followed by                           plenary
discussions revolving around the day's chosen theme. As the case may be,
these will be chaired by local or visiting participants.

-Every evening, theatrical intervention and shows will be presented
surrounded by the historical exhibition LíArche de folie.

-An animated on-site bookstore, every day

LION DíOR, 1676, rue Ontario est
    - 7 nights: opening and closing ceremonies, performances, shows,
contest, cabaret will be presented in the symposium, after which everyone
may gather as musical groups close out that day's events.

 Cinematheque Quebecoise, 335, de Maisonneuve boulevard, est
     -8 afternoons of Special programming of films about committed humor

Quai des Brumes, 4481, rue Saint-Denis
     Soups and books (lunch with writers on subversive subjects)

Cheval Blanc, 809, rue Ontario
   Exhibition

Parade, April 1st:

   The Great Racket of the absurd, a parade where the public will be
invited to make noise with various objects and sundry instruments,
orthodox and eccentric. A contest will be held for the tree best crazy
costumes. This parade will be in synchronicity with the 20th annual
Fool's Parade in Vancouver and the St. Stupid's day parade in San
Francisco.

An exhibit mounted in collaboration with the Centre for Therapeutic and
Raw Art
Public tribune
Live Radio Show
A vehicle will be reserved for the screening of selected audiovisual
works.

Throughout the event's duration there will also be days of tribute to
underline the contributions of particular individuals and groups to the
cause of committed foolishness and crazy wisdom.

Programming will be scheduled to suit the participants but also with an
eye to involving a much larger public participation and awareness so that
all may benefit from the presence of these artists.

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There will be easy access and close proximity to hotels, B&Bs, etc.

Form:
Internet site, conferences, discussions, exhibitions, screenings, shows,
theatrical interventions, tributes, improv

Disciplines involved:
sculpture, theatre, poetry, writing (newspaper, magazine and books),
music, film, video, television, painting and performances.


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 ï ThÈ’tre du Nouveau Monde
ï  SociÈtÈ de dÈveloppement de l'Avenue du Mont-Royal
 ï  Centre de services communautaires du MonastËre
ï  Maison de la culture Plateau Mont-Royal
ï  Cirque du soleil
ï  La CinÈmathËque QuÈbÈcoise
ï  Centre d'expression et d'interprÈtation de l'art
ï  La galerie d'art brut et d'art thÈrapeutique
ï  Les productions Samasati
ï  L'Association des Illustrateurs et Illustratrices du QuÈbec
ï  Biosfaire Library
ï Gestion-Ressources informatique
ï Les productions Vent díEst films inc.
ï LíInternationale des arts de la rue
ï The city of MontrÈal
ï The government of QuÈbec


 ï Guy Laliberte, president/founder of Cirque du Soleil
ï Pascale Bussiere, comedian
ï Sylvie Legault, comedian and singer
ï Armand Vaillancourt, sculptor
ï Michel Garneau, writer
ï Francine Grimaldi, journalist
ï Robert Morin, cinema
ï  Dominic Champagne, director
ï Isabelle Brabant, midwife

CONCEPT...
Who is the guy with the original crazy idea?

 Francois Bing Gourd:

-Professional idiot
-Candidate and organizer of the Rhinoceros Party, 1979 to 1994.
-Founder of the Chic Cabaret and the Foufounes Šlectriques.
-Ex-Member of the Entartistes du Canada (The Pie-oneers).
-Actor, writer, painter, sculptor, filmmaker and auctioneer.
-MC and coordinator of the Full Moon Cabarets.
-Multi-undisciplined.

  Symfolium is a non-profit organization and event. (OSBL).

Board of directors:

Stefano Corbo, producer
Evelyne Foy, consultant
Danie Frenette, artistic director
Francois Gourd, impresario and committed fool
Jocelyne Laforce, international development
Bernard Lalonde, film producer
Audrey Murray, lawyer

SYMFOLIUM
4519, Saint-Denis street  Montreal, Qc  H2J 2L4
(514) 522-3223
info@symfolium2000.org

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REFERENCES:

The Plateau Mont-Royal area is well-known for its cultural vitality,
which needs all the support it can get.

Symfolium matches a growing tendency which
has been emerging in the Plateau over the last few years.

By supporting this project, we wish to reflect that original trend.

Pierre Marquis
Centre de services communautaires du Monastere

The totally innovative qualities of this multi-disciplinary project seem
very promising for Montreal's cultural life.-  Alain Petel,
Cultural Development Agent Bureau des festivals et de l'animation publique


Honoring committed wisdom or madness is a requirement for a healthy
society.
Lorraine B. Palardy   General Director, Les Impatients


ADMINISTRATION...

We at Le Cirque du Soleil enthousiastically and unconditionnally support
the Symfolium project to bring together artists from different
disciplines in
order to provoke us out of indifference, to bring change and to give us
hope
that things can get better.

Guy Laliberte Founding President, Cirque du Soleil

PARTNERS

By relying only on reason, on financial feasability, on political
rentability, we deprive ourselves of the creative power of disorder, of
the chaos which presides over the birth of new ideas.

This great creative chaos, so essential to creation, is what the
Symfolium 2000 organizing team proposes to create. -  Isabelle Brabant,
Midwife

Your crazy-wisdom, gentle-madness project seems to us very promising and
extremely to the point at the beginning of this new millenium. Thus it is
with great pleasure that the Maison de la culture associates itself to
your rallying project.
Joanne Germain,
Cultural Agent Maison de la culture Plateau Mont-Royal

As a vital meeting place at the heart of Montreal, the Theatre du Nouveau
Monde wants a ringside seat for this event, please God and Francois Gourd.

Committed art, absurdity and burlesque are great safety valves through
which many social cankers can begin to heal.
Pascale Bussieres    Actress

At the onset of the 21st Century, I can only agree to a proposition to
rid this planet of narrow-mindedness and to deck it with happiness. Even
more so since this team is headed by the jolly, luminous starter of
colorful creative fires who is Francois Gourd.

To this call to celebration, my answer is a natural, spontaneous,
belly-deep Yes.
                                            Sylvie Legault - Comedian,
singer

Life is far too important to be taken seriously.
Oscar Wilde


Who is not a fool is neither wise.
Quitard, 1842

www.symfolium2000.org

______________
CONTACT: SYMFOLIUM
4519, Saint-Denis street  Montreal, Qc  H2J 2L4
(514) 522-3223

info@symfolium2000.org
www.symfolium2000.org


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