Cold Water at Performa 09

Justin Bond in Rodarte. Photo by Hilton Als

Among what seems to be innumerable events occurring in conjunction with Performa 09—the third edition of the performance Biennial started by RoseLee Goldberg—one that caught my eye is the gallery show curated by the singer and performance artist Justin Bond (best know as Kiki of Kiki and Herb) and the New Yorker theater critic Hilton Als. Titled Cold Water, it is described as “an exhibition of works by artists who are also performers rooted in the East Village, downtown, CBGB’s, La MaMa scene.” Featuring an impressive line-up of performers including Tilda Swinton and Rufus Wainwright, it is advertised with an intriguing photo by Hilton Als of Bond wearing a blood-red Rodarte dress and Kabuki-inspired make-up.