An American Werewolf in Manhattan

Rob Roth photographed by Matthu Placek on February 12th 2012 in China Town

It was my distinct pleasure to collaborate with friend and artist Rob Roth earlier this year. One cold rainy Day in February, Rob transformed himself at the crack of dawn into his shadow figure Craig. A character created and performed by Roth. Craig is a fragile werewolf who boasts a glorious singing voice. Rob would remain in character and full makeup for the next 14 hours in order to create situations between Craig and collaborators of Rob. The fairy tale series of portraits include Debbie Harry, Flawless Sabrina and butoh performance artist Vangeline. 

The portfolio of images is featured in the latest issue of OUT THERE, an independent British magazine which showcases queer creative voices from around the world. It was an honor to support a publication which supports so many brilliant and obscure queer artists such as Rob Roth. 

The US launch of OUT THERE’s Style Issue will be celebrated tonight at The Out NYC 510 West 42nd Street from 9PM-Midnight

www.outtheremagazine.com

Rob Roth as “Craig” photographed by Matthu Placek on February 16th 2012 in Central Park

Rob Roth as “Craig” with Vangeline photographed by Matthu Placek on February 16th 2012 in Central Park

Rob Roth as “Craig” with Ryan Lawrence & Jon Jacquez photographed by Matthu Placek on February 16th 2012 in Central Park

Rob Roth as “Craig” with Jack Doroshow aka “Flawless Sabrina” photographed by Matthu Placek on February 16th 2012 in New York City 

Rob Roth as “Craig” with Debbie Harry photographed by Matthu Placek on February 16th 2012 in Central Park

Rob Roth as “Craig” photographed by Matthu Placek on February 16th 2012 at The Cock in New York City

Rob Roth as “Craig” photographed by Matthu Placek on February 16th 2012 in Central Park

TRUST ME: DESI SANTIAGO

OPENING TONIGHT from 6-8PM at Envoy Gallery, 87 Rivington. DON’T MISS IT!

Christening envoy enterprises’ new expanded gallery space located on 87 Rivington St., artist Desi Santiago will occupy the first floor and raw basement with an enigmatic environment fluctuating between the realms of seduction and mourning. Santiago will obscure the notions of a gallery space with what the artist describes as a “horrific” yet luring intervention comprised of new sculpture, installation, and video.

Santiago is known for employing theatricality and ceremony into his work transforming a typical viewer into a participant of a multi-sensory ritual. In his solo exhibition for envoy enterprises, the artist will swathe the gallery in a series of sculptural environments featuring miniature robots, custom-made suits, worn masks cast from Santiago’s face, and a bomb.

Concurrently with his solo exhibition at 87 Rivington, Santiago will have a satellite installation on view at envoy enterprise’s project space on 131 Chrystie St.

 A New York City-based Puerto Rican visual and performance artist, Desi Santiago’s artistic practice spans from 1990 to the present and is heavily influenced by subcultural scenes, with a strong foundation in NYC nightlife, and cross-over into fashion and art worlds. Santiago’s work draws from, addresses, and utilizes the respective vocabularies and iconography of these worlds to create ceremonial experiences and relational performances, which deal with identity, exchange, and the duality of mourning/celebration. His practice is that of “the host”, wherein the body is the channel and receptor for circumstance, experience, and identities to pass through resulting in a visual vocabulary of object, installation, and performance. 

 Santiago’s large-scale installations often involve performative and theatrical platforms, richly layered with philosophical, historical and social references. Santiago received a MFA from Bard College. The artist’s work has exhibited at Matthew Marks Gallery, D’Amelio Terras Gallery, Deitch Projects, MoMA PS1, Asia Song Society, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Musée des Arts Decoratifs, Paris. Santiago was recently profiled in the Style section of The New York Times.

 During Art Basel Miami 2012 Desi Santiago will transform The Lords Hotel into the body of a black dog named Gypsy.

Work photographed by Matthu Placek at the Watermill Foundation on August 12th 2012

You know that Martha Wainwright video I made… well, here’s how I made it! By conducting a small army! Many thanks to the incredible Nica Ross who filmed and edited this behind the scenes film.