Mitchel Ahern presents "Martha Stewart in the Underworld". Featuring interpretive monologues on readings by and about Martha Stewart, this solo performance reveals how Martha Stewart and the mythologies that surround her are modern illustrations of eternal archetypes. He will be accompanying himself on a suite of his self-invented instruments including: the Crutch, Springers, the ElectroLuxoPipeO'Phone, the Leaf Springoleon, the Hand-Made Record, and others. His hand cut block-printed "Free Martha" t-shirts will be available.
There are those who think I am defending Martha, and those that think I am belittling her. Neither is the case. What I am doing is revealing how Martha Stewart and the mythologies that surround her are modern illustrations of eternal archetypes. This is not presented in an academic manner, but as performance art, accompanied by sonic creations and hand-printed t-shirts. There may be humor involved.
The format of this performance is a mix of reading, interpretation and musical accompaniment. The readings include "Entertaining" by Martha Stewart, Annual Reports of the Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Corporation, police reports, AP news stories, court documents, and others.
For over 20 years I have been performing on electro-acoustic musical instruments that I have designed and built myself. Several of these will be featured during this performance, including:
Performances:
Marc Bisson's Gallery in Concord, New Hampshire, October 15, 2004
King Hooper Mansion in Marblehead Massachusetts, December 5, 2004
Zeitgesit Gallery in Cambridge, Massachusetts,
February 3, 2005, 7-9 pm
(with Bob Jordan and Ratobasher)