FULCRUM_3: Dream Phrase

Dream Phrase is a multimedia performance event using the Freudian concept of “overdetermination” to develop a system that determines the outcome of a piece of durational art.

Overdetermination occurs when a single-observed effect is determined by multiple causes, any one of which alone would be conceivably sufficient to account for the outcome. Utilizing eight St. Louis artists working in music, dance, kinetic sculpture, and video, we present a series of interactions, non-interactions, reactions, and counteractions that emerge as elements of artistic causation to form Dream Phrase.

This performance system is informed by Freud’s original use of the term “overdetermined” in his book, “The Interpretation of Dreams” where it was used as a tool in dream analysis. Dreams are said to be “overdetermined” in that they are caused by multiple factors in the life of the dreamer, from superficial memories of recent life to deeply repressed traumas and unconscious desires. It is this rare access to the unconscious - as a series of symbolic representations - that enables complex overdetermination to manifest.

There are already structural parallels between the type of communication taking place between the conscious and unconscious mind during our dreams and the communication taking place between content and form within media. With a system of multimedia, this communication extends beyond individual forms to interact and communicate with surrounding media until a complex system of overdetermination presents itself and an outcome is reached.

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Dream Phrase includes the following artists:

Kevin Harris: system architect / sound / video

Glen “Papa” Wright: percussion

Maureen Keaveny: kinetic sculpture

Nadir Smith: electronic sound

NNN Cook: sound

Lexi Hurlbut: movement

Chad Eivins: video

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FULCRUM_3: Dream Phrase takes place Saturday, MAY 11,

at The Luminary, 2701 Cherokee St, St. Louis, MO, 63118.

Doors 8:00 / Show 8:30 - only $10