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This performance was done for the AVE (Audio Visual Experimental) Festival in Arnhem. I wanted to display fire in both an ambient and central way, with burning paper dangling from the ceiling from wires and a glass display case, a sort of pyrarium, at the center of the space. The space was ideal because the floor was concrete and windows opened around the entire perimeter of the room for cross-ventilation of the smoke-producing paper and liquid paraffin.

Audience response to this piece, from what I could tell, was mostly negative. Those disappointed with the piece apparently felt there was too little fire. The following evening, a bartender who happened to see the show commented, "If what you did was art, then lighting a cigarette could be art."

Performing Artist

Portrait of Stephen Rife
Our House
Underground
The Serpent's Egg
Demonstration w/non-dairy creamer
The Anxious Substrate
Demonstration with Ladder and Flammable Dust
Lantern
Performance w/handheld mortar
Firebreathing
Fire Vortex Prototype
Demonstration w/Plant Matter & Lawn Tools
Song of Late Summer
Fireshovel
Fireshovel (detail)
Ritual Burning of Fireshovel Comments
Gravedance (prep)
Gravedance
Secrets of the Nest
Firebag prototype
To Burn, Not Bury
New Year's Gate
The Battle for St. Paul
Raindial
Firebag Demonstration w/Gerb
Firedance prep.
Firedance
Firedance (spinning)
The Book of Life
Fire display w/paraffin, paper & welding gas
Horseplay
New Year's Eve Lampshade
Offering to Stromboli
Autumn Fire Rite with Pinedust
Autumn Fire Rite with Pinedust
Firefilm
Fireball
Fireball (detail)
Wax Paper Juggling
Demonstration with Steel Wool and Headpiece
Firebasket Demonstration
Firebasket Detail
Firebox Demonstration
Street performance w/firecans & mower
FIRE WALL AND WATER BASIN (jury selection)
Smoking Word
Smoking Word (participants)
The Tree of Light
Flint Dance
Fire Shovel
Sunflower (test)
Flame Relay in Cracks
The Ice Knife
The Ice Knife (detail)
The Darshanty
Thanksgiving Prelude
Launch
Carbonera
Smell Piece
Entry
Partial Document of Performance
Monofilm (installation before ignition)
Monofilm (fire stage)
Roman Signer Tribute
David
Streetlamp
Reprise: Signer's Suitcase
Yves Klein Tribute: Return of the Sun
Projection