Made possible in part by grants from
Burning Man, Reno Burners LLC, the Nevada Arts Council, a Nevada
agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a national
agency, and by donations from people like you-- thank you!
This is a general description of an art installation for
Burning Man 2011 by Mister Jellyfish and crew. Visit the
Progress
Blog for detailed and up-to-date postings.
The Georgie Boy Story
Inside a crumbling, seedy, downtown motel room, a failed
robotic actor (Georgie Boy) suffers a mid-life crisis beside his
animatronic dog (Smoochie Pooch). Participants drawn to this
life-size diorama are encouraged to push a big button and spin the
“Wheel of Fame” in a desperate attempt to restore his name back in
lights-- accompanied by one of many bad show tune productions.
This comedic piece observes the western obsessions with youth
and entertainment. It draws inspiration from this year's theme in
observing rise to celebrity, fall from fame and mid-life crisis as
"Rites of Passage" themselves. It lambasts the theater community and
the whole Broadway pollyanna of "This is our big chance! / Just
believe in your dreams!". The codependent interplay between the
flamboyant main character, Georgie Boy, and his abusive pet
Pomeranian dog (with an agitating voice reminiscent of actor Joe
Pesci) quickly engages participants to interact with the story.
Celebrating the ups and downs of Georgie Boy's thirst for social
redemption through applause and accolade, dialog is peppered with
punch lines that result in groups of participants sharing laughter
together. The laughter may become self-conscious as some
participants witness their own "reflection in the pool" of this
tragicomedy macabre.
The interactive wheel that selects the vignettes acted out by the
robots as well as the letters on the large sign as participants
attempt to restore Georgie Boy's name "back in lights where it
belongs".
