Visiting Artists:
Nancy Forest Brown and Cynde Schauper

Visiting Artist Colloquium Response
The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
October 20, 1989



Event:
(Nancy Forest Brown discusses and shows slides of their collaborative work)
Work presented:
Video: An Afternoon with Evelyn
Performance: Judy's Place (snake stories and Sylver Celeste and the Swang and Twang Band)
Written by Cynde Schauper and Nancy Forest Brown

Performers:
Judy/Nancy Forest Brown
Sylver Celeste/Danielle Probst
Slim Chance/Denise Crouse


I don't even know where to start or what to say. This is the most awesome thing I've seen this year, probably not just here either. I don't feel as bad or bored now when I hear people talk about having to hurry to class or they'll be late if that makes sense. I'm afraid to say anything to spoil this. It made me think of a book my brother had about Cindy Sherman and also a movie that made me feel like this, Nashville. It was very very very nice and good. I think the not getting across the point--or not communicating--Nancy was worried about before has gone away in a big way. Or maybe it doesn't matter anyway.

-- Amy Jordan


performance art
My personal opinion on your work is that you have created in your mind the illusion that you're creating art--I don't think you are at all.
I find the philosophy and how you arrived at the conclusion of your at is very confusion and jumbled up. Maybe if you could have organized your thoughts a little better I would have been able to see your point.

-- Katherine L. Wilson


I loved the family paintings. I think Nancy has a wonderful talent, painting people and that she should paint more than just her family. She is a very humorous women.
The ax story is a bit harsh, but somehow humorous.

Cynde.
I hate snakes, but I hate hearing about the death of snakes. I think the snake/chicken story would of gone over better if she said her mother told her to grab the lawn mower instead of an ax.

Good songs.

-- Jaeann Keegan


What distinguishes "performance art" from theatre, dance, music? Is it just a broader term encompassing all of them, or does it have a different goal?
ASIDE = actually, when I was hospitalized in intensive care for a week when I had a bleeding ulcer, I had a tube down my nose, through my throat, into my stomach to slowly pump out the blood and wash it with ice cold saline solution, so I can sympathize with Judy's snake story.
The whole context of this elegant board member/fund raiser host giving a lovely reception--then seeing into the "real" person--was hilarious.

-- Michael Williams


painting--I really like her paintings
Her paintings have values and relationships. It's easy to see the values (light and dark) the movement of view and relation from canvas finish strongly.
Her background of play stories usually came from death or blood she explore her feelings very creatively and unique and she puts herself into play as her work.

-- Nam J. Kim


How do you get those ideas? I really liked your paintings, but the theme of "Valerie" made me sick. Your paintings, the painting of your family, look almost like photographs.
I don't think your performance art is very artistic, sorry. I don't enjoy listening to all this very much. Where's the art in talking about blood, killing, vomiting?

-- Paola Gallrati


Brown
What are some other reactions by your audience. Have you ever collaborated with another performance artist to have characters you haven't thought of making.
Are dreams often an inspiration for your stories?

-- Chris Carsey


The character of a middle aged, rich, maniacal, woman with nothing to do. She is a small symbol of one of the results of the commodification of art. She is buying art with out a real understanding of how the artist created it, of how much time, emotion, and thought went into the piece. She doesn't realize any of this, or does she care. The person she created a character of what the mass society has developed did a good job of a making a subtle statement of the sad situation that the artists have been lessened too. Hopefully people saw this and internalized the message.

-- Garrett C. Moehring


What a fascinating variety of characters, topics, and things that make people sick.
You provoked many emotions and thoughts.

-- Karen Pollpeter


I like the creation aspect--you seem to painstakingly create every aspect of your performance and enjoyed the way violence permeates--rather, invades your work and you portray Am. class life as this gossipy Evelyn. Very ironic--funny. The rabbit eating itself was something I would have liked to see. I liked the way violence and strangeness came in and the Aug "Joe and Jane Sixpack" ignore it.
Nice boots, Judy! The live music was a nice touch?--It was kind of forced.

-- Dale Weum


(performance artist)
When I listen to her, I begin to notice that, there is humorous and seriousness of her act--just like Mel Adringa (another Performance Artist). I guess to be in this kind of business--you've to be quick (in terms of how to get people attention.) Be funny to keep audience excite at all time, plus toughness to go with the play when needed to. I think most of the Performance artists, they all have very much in common--humor and serious. Then they have their own individual style to make people get involve of their act--(Audience sings along, laugh along.) That is the feeling and every we all should get at at this kind of performance.

-- Noy Phonphiboon


Nancy's work is really interesting. (Sorry that word's so uninteresting.) I liked the apartment piece the best--I would've loved to be there.

-- Dana Carlson


I really enjoyed the tape and live performance--I truly believe that you've got a great talent in creating characters and making them humorous and believable (the gallery), but I didn't enjoy the rabbit or the baby thing--too gross or I'm just too conservative.

-- Carry Miller


Weird, Sinister
"Extra Good" y'all

-- unknown


You are doing incredible things! What can I write or suggest that wouldn't seem insignificant compared to your concepts and work.
Thank you for this opportunity to see you!

-- R. Shane Robinson


Performance Artist
For this one I really don't know what to say--It was great and I'm so glad I'm able to be introduced to performances like these.
Have a lot of questions--how come up w/ ideas? etc etc etc etc etc.

-- Dawn Stetzel


I really enjoyed your performance because I admire how you can capture the essence of just what it is we loathe in certain people although we laugh in spite of that loathing. I especially enjoyed the Judy portion because I grew up in Nevada and it brought back fierce memories of the child born and raised and never left.
Thanks for coming--it was enjoyed very much.

-- Jennifer Folkmann


I thoroughly enjoyed Nancy's performances. They were not only entertaining but also extremely interesting, eye catching unique and very thought provoking. The deeper meanings were very well thought out.

-- Carrie Cera


Amusing innovative--
Evelyn is an exact replica of a friend of mine, I never would believe there was two of them until this performance. Great perception; characters made me visualize entire scene and feel as if I was there.

--Elizabeth Joselyn


Fun way to view society--
Fun way to see society--
comedienne
I dig your outfit
I love the music

-- Carmichael


--I really enjoyed the way you showed us your successes, as well as your failures. Your performances all seem to have a certain amount of humor, despite any other meaning. Thank you, also, for providing the xeroxes. Instead of just reading things out. I can't really understand things that are read to me. I really found your piece "Reception for Evelyn" interesting, as I grew up on the North Shore. I know people who are actually like this. From what I say, you had the mannerisms down perfect. Although the situation may be a little silly, the personalities fit, too, which is, probably what makes it work so well. The way you do performances seem to all revolve around a singular character. Why? Is this a method you found that works, is it the only method of performance you've tried, What? You've shown us a lot of interesting work, but I don't know why you're doing this. I really enjoyed your pieces, and they really intrigue me. I want to know more, though. What's the thought process behind them. What are your influences, etc.

-- Kleedurke


real effect on someone's life, communication important
where's the audience here, action to cause ideas from Nancy head to audience w/out an object???

ambient performance achieved w/ dermoid etc.
humor and disturbing elements grab me
do I laugh, cry, what?

Evelyn, the gallery good doer, left me weak with recognition of such persons I have seen operating.

-- Connie Bethards


--Chicago--Performance Artist
Honestly--what is she trying to convey? I just don't understand the Bunny Piece. What's the point? People painting walls, a bunny eating himself, and people eating. Well, I don't truly understand the Dermoid either, but at least the concept was interesting.
I liked her paintings. Very natural and pleasant.
I absolutely loved her TV program. It was hilarious
Great entertainment! She's so funny! Her attitude is great!

-- Jessica Bandy


To you, do you think or gage performance art above the move "traditional" artforms, as a creative avenue for the audience? One general comment would be that I think your flamboyance is very attributive to the success of your work. Do you think that you are freer (more free) when you are Nancy, or the characters you portray? The videotape was definitely a great performance, I thought it was really great. In character, you are as equally believable in your art as your performances.

-- Jason Soliday


Nancy's art is really wild. I get a real kick out of the dermoid but not as much from the rabbit. I get rather confused trying to follow her stories. I wish I knew which characters Nancy is playing and which she isn't. I loved hearing about where she got her ideas for her pieces. The Evelyn character is just great. She's so funny. It's scary because my parents know people like her.

-- Elizabeth Bradford


was interesting and a great speaker--which I suppose comes from being a performing artist. I liked her second piece (the party at the trashed apartment). It is good to have the people participating so guests at the party rather than sitting in chairs as audience. I thought the bunny and dermoid and NFB being somebody else and the emotion-filled pictures of her family made me feel depressed and sad. Maybe that's just how I feel today. The video was great--I love the character she's created, such a contradiction compared to NFB. I agree w/ her mockery of society idea and the mockery of the art collector.

-- Greta Rottenfusser


Performance Art: I liked her paintings that's about it. No actually I can appreciate her style I'm just very unfamiliar with it. I guess I like at this type of art more as an act that has nothing to do with art, but it is entertaining.

-- Michael Joseph Ebeling


(Performance Art)
What do you really do? I had a very hard time following. I don't no what to say! The video was really entertaining--where do you show this? It really is a different form of performance art. The paintings are incredible! Great talent!

-- Nancy Pugh


She was humorous but I'm still not sure what her aim was. How does a performance artist make money? Who pays them?

-- Annetee Oswald


I apologize for last Friday. I was here but I forgot to fill out the card. Sorry.

Nancy Forest Brown looks like a drawn out Lauri Anderson. Real strong, intense excellent paintings.

-- Luke Gustafson


Nancy Forest Brown and Cynde Schauper
Very interesting and strange. I'm not sure what to think of it. Some of her presentation made me almost sick--literally. (The Valerie part)
Then her tape was really funny--reminded me of something off Saturday Night Live. I really liked her paintings of her family.

Cynde
Interesting. I liked it. It was different from Nancy and she has a different attitude, also.

-- Sidbhan Spain


Nancy Forest Brown and Cynde Schauper
I fond this lecture to be interesting but I am not quite sure of what point she (Nancy) was trying to get across to us.
I do feel this is art because she feels it is art but do other people feel this is Art

-- H Wikeeles Bell


Debrah--I missed class last week and I need to give you my mid-term exam. I will try to contact you next Friday with my paper and Doctor's excuse. I was confined to bed as a result of a rheumatic flare up. Thanks. If you need to contact me--phone.
Nancy Brown--interesting--the use of monologue and a simple video set-up. Very funny. I enjoy this form of expression--its more interactive.

-- Christiaane Litt


--I thought her pieces were, for the most part, very disturbing. I thought they were original, but I really didn't like them, though. They really repulsed me. (I liked her paintings, though). I do wonder, however, what I'll think of them in a week. I liked EVELYN very much.

-- William Easton


N.F.B.
This has made coming to this class each week worth it. Nancy's friends, Judy and Evelyn were so accessible. Easily identifiable. Judy could be my Mom. Judy and Evelyn do a much better job of exploring sort of macabre thoughts that I think has but thinks it queer to talk about--anyway they do a better job than the self consuming Bunny. God, this was fun!

-- Jason Dykhouse


Very entertaining. This has been one of the funnest (most fun) classes yet this semester in Colloq. but I don't know what else to say. Good ideas for Colenda, though. Colenda is my mannequin @ home.) Perhaps a pregnancy shall become/overcome her soon. Valerie concept very intriguing. And Nancy does an excellent thing in painting, but her performance art is really going somewhere.
It would've been outstanding to send the Dermoid to Iowa City, too. She reminds me of Laurie Anderson. (Nancy, not the Dermoid).
*Please! Send me some info on upcoming performances in the Chicago area! I go there about once a month and would love to take my father to something like this.
Send info to: Melanie M. Cook, address, Iowa City, Iowa, 52246. Thank you!

--Melanie Cook


I didn't know what to expect before coming to class. Maybe something freakish like the movie Liquid Sky. But I found that I liked her and her art. I enjoyed finding out about how she comes up with her ideas. It seemed hard to discern between the video, and Judy and a comedy routine. Is this theater or art, or both? I enjoyed it, but I can't see the art in it. The picture I could. Art should evoke emotions, and that picture did.

-- Blair Wyman


Nancy Forest Brown
Cynde Schauper
Great stories! These bizarre stories are humorous, but they should be sickening. The axe story gives a strong picture in my head. Very descriptive. The ending came unexpectedly. It felt to me like it should have continued, but I like that feeling. What's with all these crazy snake stories? I love snakes!

-- Rodney Hayson


Too busy (paying attention) and dark to write

-- Richard Beck


Nancy Forest Brown and Cindy Schauper
I really don't know how to respond to Nancy. An Afternoon with Evelyn was very funny and very poignant. I liked the fact that she told us how she hated the piece w/ the bunny and then showed us what she did about it. JUDY'S PLACE. She is so versatile and believable that it was easy to see her as all these different people. Especially Judy. That was probably because she's the only one I saw live. AXES DEATH SNAKES her characters for the most part, have these grim dreams.

-- Cathryn Stanek


Nancy Forest Brown and Cynde Schauper
How would you compare your performance to Mel Andringa?
Evelyn seems so different from other performances. What do you prefer to do more of--something like her or like the rabbit scene?
I really enjoyed Judy's Place and Company! This is what makes it most exciting probably not only for you but it is fun! For the audience as well.

-- Patty Stahle


I thought that the film was hysterical. I really liked it.

-- unknown


Very funny, but I wonder what motivates her so about the human body. She is a wonderful painter and actress.

-- Scott Theisen


I found her paintings of her family very peaceful and calm, while her performances I find very oppressive and physically and mentally revolting. It certainly posed as a learning experience. These seemed to try to teach something.

-- Heather Huston


Nancy (and her sister) seem to live a very interesting life. I enjoyed all of her work but I believe her paintings were of the most quality. The performance w/ McDonalds and the rabbit was a little lame but everything else was great and she is an interesting speaker. She's also a great performer.

-- John DeJarld


Did someone actually request country music? Just curious.
--
The apartment piece was incredible. I wish I could have been there to see it first hand. I'm curious about two things. 1. What did your landlord say? 2. Did anyone freak out at any of these sights?
Judy's Place, like the apartment piece, includes the audience. This, I think, adds believability of the performance piece.
I guess maybe the country music makes sense after all.

-- Matt Sturdevant


"art that doesn't exist can be dynamic"
I thought no one else liked to write those everyday ax/murder stories.

-- Jana R. Gwynn


Nancy Forest Brown and Cynde Schauper--very talented group of performance artists; the video was hilarious, I really enjoyed listening to Nancy talk about her work; singer has awesome voice.

-- Laurie Coady


--What a fucking rich woman. But she is funny in some sort of twisted way.

-- Todd Jones


--Performance Art
Interesting presentation. Her performance are was very unique. I enjoyed her somewhat sick sense of humor with the Dermoid. Her shift of context and becoming someone else was innovative. What inspired her to do this kind of work besides housecleaning. What a great movie she made. It was hysterical.

-- Leslie Flanagan


I liked the idea of the handouts. It made the aud. do more than just sit and listen. I think I now have a better idea about what makes up a work of performance art. As well as all the details that go into it.

-- Royalee Coney


Very interesting stuff. Evelyn has great social irony. Some of the pieces were very bizarre, but there was such a parody on peoples social actions. (Sort of going to the limits of acceptability). Judy was awesome.

-- Justin Chapman


Communication for her is the most important thing in Art. She wants to get people actively involved in her work, so creates a some sort of theatrical art.
Her themes are very strange. They deal a lot with death, things that really makes you want to vomit, but when you finally realize that it is all an act, it's funny and you really thing is extremely creative.
--Painting--Terrific, they look extremely real and spontaneous. They really tell stories.
--Comedian
--the best.
--includes a lot of real situations.

-- Lina M. Toubert


Performance Artist
Chicago
Her characters are interesting. The concept I was most disturbed by was the Valerie character. It is an interesting idea of the objects inside ourselves are private. The idea is reflective of the concept we have for our genitals. "Privates"--the irrationality of the woman collecting all of the objects on the floor seems to be a ridiculous, but natural reaction.

-- Ellen Plum


Did you ever see the movie Apocalypse Now? The photographer guy, the one tripped out on acid. She could be his wife! Wow!!
I really like that guy!
He's out there...like me.

-- Tom Sulentic


Today's class has got to be the most enjoyable so far. In particular the feeling of originality by using more tangible ways of communicating to the audience. In the tape, Judy's and Nancy's dialogue is just another form of storytelling. I liked seeing artists break away from the usual means of expression that I've seen in class in the past. Their art (other artists) seem so abstract I don't want to deal with it.
The finishing off with Patsy and Hank was just really nice? Kind of leaves a warm feeling in your heart that all art hasn't left the common observer for artsy-fartsy "high class" modes of expression.

-- Deb Renz


I can understand why she would want to create artwork in a different way--a new perspective. I don't like it--I think parts of it are gross and distasteful. Some parts I do like the party with the furniture painted on an piled in the room.

-- Amy Whittier


Why don't I believe your account on the dermoid act--you just happened to be in the bathroom taking photos. The people weren't effected by the camera. If the audience was that drunk, why not just serve them acid and really give them a party they'll never forget. Does your audience need to be drunk?
Forget the music bit, I've seen a million times--for real.
I liked Judy's piece. You must have funds coming out of your ass afford these pieces--I hope they got something out of it. Did you keep the checks?
The character is to stereotypical.
My performance was of an arrogant New Yorker (audience).

-- Adam Krieger


Simulacra without the awareness. The easy types that are presented are blocking the intentions toward simulation. Also theatrical intentions are still very much in evidence. What character is she building toward? Herself?

-- John Gaffney


I don't fell the need to make a social statement with my art, why cant your art exist on its own w/out social commentary.

-- Aaron Mercier


Nancy Forest Brown and Cynde Schauper
I always have trouble distinguishing performance art and theater. From what Nancy said, the difference would be in the audience involvement. So how do you measure that? Most performance artists I've seen document their work a lot. Is it intangible in a sense?

-- Kris Finn


No comment written.

Terri Caplan


Very interesting. Entertaining. A little strange. I liked watching the video tape, very bizarre. I love Patsy Cline!!

-- Melinda McCormick


WAY COOL!!
It's unique. This stuff is hilarious! Such a good imagination is used and lots of creative expression! I Love It! Loved the music too. (funny face)

-- Krista Wood


I really liked her paintings (they seem very real).
I also like her concept of personas--it must be fun to think up characters and just act them out.

-- Melinda Barnes


Best music yet! Kitty Wells!
Performance Artist Process
This was the most interesting speaker yet--why? No time now.

-- Kathy Thor


This was a very interesting presentation. She developed some really great characters.

-- Ann Aikin


She's creative and more interesting than any other speaker yet!

-- Mary Broderick


Nancy--Another Existential Dilemma--God is dog spelled backwards. Her work effected me in a huge way--this is what type of Art I want to be in. WOW!!!

-- Jenifer VanDePol


The Art that Doesn't exist? Her idea about the audience playing the "audience role" vs. more active audience is really interesting. This is some of the most interesting performance art I've seen--especially the art piece. Art that makes you uncomfortable. Wow--Nancy's painting are much more exciting.
Evelyn--Any one of a number of my relatives!! Fantastic.

-- Christopher Bucheit


Performing Artist from Chicago video piece on Evelyn--old lady who axe murdered her friend
Judy country twang about childhood in Maxwell--killing snakes
Country singer added funk to the class.
It reminds me of Sat. Night Live type humor and I don't really get into that. It was nice having a different kind of artist.

-- Cari Corwin


Really great piece on Evelyn. McDonald's is really so happy. That was my favorite point, since a lot of people don't recognize that.
Patsy Cline is cool.
Sorry for the sparse comments but I'm really sick and can't concentrate.

-- Jean Pedersen


Your work is very humorist. Do you create the situations yourself or do they already exist? What are your inspirations for each performance? Do you model your characters from real people? I noticed that in the pieces you showed the class all contain a woman that is self-centered and as you stated is great in their own mind. Your characters have a very good sense of realism to them. Love that live performance. It was very energetic. Thank you.

-- David Miller


Ritual preparation
preparation for death
I'm not afraid to die
Mrs. O
Give yourself a break--at least you're doing something and keeping occupied. . .shit, I'm just going to school. . . it really sucks, but it's worthwhile, I'm doing something, I'm developing, and I think that you're doing the same thing. Not everyone is going to speak your language, but if one or two do, then you've succeeded.
I hate audiences. . .they scare me. If I can't see them or hear them, then its okay. . .
You said that you were disappointed because the audience was so passive. . . what are you expecting? You can't tell, because audiences are weird and weirdos in particular.

-- Benjamin Otis


I think she is sick. Why doesn't she write horror films? Is this what performance art is, grotesque?
What was the purpose of making us read instead of just telling us?
I can't even see myself doing work like this.

-- Leona Lepold


No comment made

-- Fred Delaney


The clash between the image of a rambling old woman and a bloody axe murder story made an entertaining combination.
Blood and Guts.
What's with the funny tune?

-- Cameron Moyer


Nancy Forest Brown and Cynde Schauper
Bizarre Person

-- Matt Ward


Persona--you could become somebody else.
The slides made me feel like I was in another world.
The video was so hilarious, kind of a Gilda Radner with Andy Rooney's voice.
"Starving people can come to the Museum, rich people can come to the Museum." Great line.

-- Lisa J Pleggenkuhle


I was very interested in her collaborative work and her painting and would like to know why she chooses only her family as subjects. I definitely felt her performance showed how talented she is in being able to put her ideas into an art form.

-- Tricia Vasquez


Nancy--Where's Judy's?
I don't know what to put besides you guys were great. Thank you.

-- Gwen Cunningham


I like Nancy's piece of work with the woman on the ground with blood around her. I think it is interesting because she created it, photographed it, then removed the woman, which very much parallels the way a crime would happen, or rather how the setting for a crime would appear afterwards.
I think the format Nancy uses for her works are very unusual and intense, because they're visual, but they involve the audience more in the work than many traditional formats, at least in some cases.
I like how she incorporates characterization and role playing into her artwork.

-- Heidi Havercamp


This video is very humorous in a black way--but how is this any different from theater, film or television? Does she have to produce violent images for her performance art to work?

-- Jason Kinsley


--Performance Artist
Really funny and explicit humor almost gruesome to a point. I got a little nauseous from her "Evelyn" act and her talking about murdering Betty. Interesting however.

-- Francis Lu


The videotape was interesting, although it was funny it was also sad.
I really enjoyed the performance artists. They were so much into their characters. Their storytelling was intense, exaggerated and funny.

-- Michelle Byrne


I object to this woman ordering me around. The Ili Snap party was interesting idea. The video was too weird. Note on Judy--it kept me from walking out on class.

-- Lisa Alter


Hey! Deb, I need to talk with you about my stay at the hospital and our midterm...phone...
Nancy Forest Brown Cynde Schauper
I enjoy the brutal sense of humor and love for blood, guts, ooze, etc. that I also share what about excrement
The old lady was hilarious. I can only imagine what I may be like at that point. Where the fuck in Iowa do you find so many snakes.
Yeah Buddy...your resources be originating from within.
Hi Kitty! See you later Kitty!

-- Kelly Piper


Videotape was extremely entertaining.
Wow! Where do you get some of these way out ideas? (i.e. bunny who skins himself, dermoid, Valerie). These ideas are very shocking to the audience. Once thing that I noticed, however, is that ideas which are extremely entertaining, crude, shocking, vulgar, horrible, etc. (which hit the emotions the hardest) seem to also stimulate the audience thoughts more versus the norm and regularity of everyday life.

-- Theresa Manglinong


I don't know what to say--it was interesting. I'd like to more about the artist. Where does she do her performances? What people does she invite to the performances. Any problem with offending people?
It's all very intriguing--Where does she get the ideas for these pieces? The audience involvement is great.

-- Kevin Bender


The film was kind of intriguing.
Music is definitely art but it surprised me that there were musicians here. Very unexpected. Note quite artists to me in the technical sense but something a little different. Not necessarily better or worse, just different.

-- Harold Sturner


Nancy Forest Brown
Cynde Schauper
Bunny-Eat-Himself Performance let him eat himself
Dermoid/apartment
Judy Brown
she wanted to help society--Judy Brown but she rambled on and on
LIFE IS REALLY A VERY ABSTRACT IDEA

-- Nancy Lincoln


Yes I was here. I stayed to the last, but I really have no idea what to say...is that really unusual?

-- Louis Carlson


She seems to have a lot of interesting and uniquely shocking ideas. I really found myself involved. It was a great video. A great and believable performance. Most of all I found Evelyn's description of the time she was almost murdered very entertaining. Nancy is truly gifted to creating personalities and making them believable. I love stuff like this last year I did some stuff like it for my Multi-Media class I had so much fun with it. Today I had a good time in Colloquium. The Music was great. (smiley face)

-- Sarah Willis


Nancy Forest Brown is quite the characters. Although her stories did drag on she is an excellent storyteller (a very valuable quality I think, better than poetry or fiction writing) anyway, her characters are very developed and entertaining. I was also amazed w/ her painting talent--the pictures of her family--they looked as realistic as the photographs they were probably painted from. I liked the video medium display much better than slides of other performances such as the bunny eating itself amidst the McDonald's sound track or the reception for Evelyn or Ili Snap's party--I didn't really get anything from those pieces, perhaps because they were just slides. But, they seemed sort of meaningless, empty--as compared to her storytelling ability of Evelyn's video. Judy's snake stories, on the other hand were not as entertaining though. The Sylver Celeste singing Patsy Cline was a nice touch. Hank Williams was a little too much though, but I couldn't quit smiling and I'm sure that later on today, when I think of this, I'll still be amused and that, I guess, is worth quite a bit.

-- Janis McDonald


I can't say enough good things about this presentation! Keep this good stuff coming!

-- Justine Sawyer


This is great--A dinner theater in the middle of the afternoon.
These guys started out writing and developed it into performing? I've never correlated the two for some reason, I guess it has to be written before it can be performed.

-- Tairi Sackfield


It is hard to come up with something to say about her performance tape, slides etc. When I am still sorting it out in my mind.
It was fascinating--definitely not boring! Humor and Fascination
Entertaining Music with a wonderful twinge of humor and dramatics.

-- Julie A. Mateer


--Very strange ideas. I didn't even know that people could possibly think like this. I don't mean this in a bad sense. I'm just saying that you have quite an imagination--strange subject for a painting--mom recovering.

-- Kristina Cerre


Performance Art is just ridiculous to me. I can see no appeal in this. We were privileged to the background of the "stories" but the other audiences weren't. How could anyone get something from her art without knowing where these ideas came from? Knowing and not knowing how the ideas came to Nancy Brown made no difference to me. This just seems like another person trying to pass anything off as art. Art benefits everyone, not just the artist. I can see no connection as to how this would benefit anyone. I'm going to be thankful that this art strike is taking place. This kind of "art" is of no enjoyment except to the artist who thinks he can get paid for being goofy.

-- John Ortega


If I was at that party I'd think it was a bad dream! Did people know it was a performance?
Your paintings have a nice real feel to them. Nice to see that for a change instead of abstract images. It surprises me that you would have such a real style! You have a wild imagination.

-- Connie Driscoll


"Different" very amusing her work had a sense of humor
Why does she only paint her family? How did she get started painting?
Cynde Schauper--How did she get started in performing arts? I am from Chicago, but I'm not too familiar with the Performing arts.

--Cathy Miller


She is very bizarre. Her performance art is interesting in the sense that she deals with morbid details. I thought her paintings were great--very detailed. However, to me her stories and the reasons for her performance art are unclear to me. Why so depressing? (The Bunny) (The show w/ Evelyn I didn't understand.

-- Janice Hutt


Performance Artist
I find this woman repulsive and extremely hard to listen to with her "right" and "like" every other word. Her work and her image seems uneducated. REPULSIVE

--Ginger Grote


Fascinating--she seems bent on capturing the bizarre and to arouse people's curiosity at the grotesque and morbid, and the bizarre.
I've been to Artemisia and I'm always enamored of the work I see there.

-- Barbara Risser


very realistic paintings of her family better than a photograph. They seem to show more personality and character of her family members.
We need to have more Designers come talk.
I loved the show you could relate to her story telling. I was like a Gossip session. Very humorous. It was funny because you could visualize this impossible axe scene.

-- Elizabeth P. Payne


Performance Art is what all good parties are.
I really admire her perfection in her work. Obviously she knows what she wants throughout her artwork.

I like the way there's always part of her work (it seems) that only she can comprehend.

-- Bill Cave


Her works are improving day by day. She showed the finest performance Art she has, like playing a theatre
I like she performance about combination between writing a text then imagine and draw it on a paper (or painting board etc.) She is very humorous.

-- Suryani Lumanov


--The concept of the Judy tape was worthwhile--emphasizing the banality of existence, and questioning the "worth" or art in the real scheme of things. For me, the made-up-as-you-go-along quality and the details that were unresolved (like Judy's toe cut in half) detracted from believing in the character and context.
Pretty easy to have fun with the "camp" of country western. Is this piece just a sampling of a longer one? It seems there is so much more that could be done with this context.

-- Kimberly Cooke


I Don't understand what your doing, I guess your just too wierd, or I'm to normal. I don't usually think about living with a six foot fetus, or a rabbit that wants to eat itself. Your paintings are wonderful. You obviously take your work in an intense fassion.
The Vid was Great, I loved all of it.

-- Steve Klinger


I liked the slides of Evelyn. The video was hilarious.
She had good paintings of her family

-- Lisa Chiodini


Performance Artist
I like how she takes personal ideas and relates them to her performances. I really liked the party performance of Illi Snap. I also found the Judy piece great.
The tape was fantastic!

-- Lisa McClimert


Is what Nancy does considered her own personal art or public art?
Next Friday, please repeat when the final project is due.

-- Tracie M. Cook


I don't understand what she's trying to do. I wish I had the freedom to spend my life pursuing my whims. the television portion was pitiful. Parody is the easiest form of writing anybody can do it and be funny. Nancy's nasal Betty isn't funny but boring. I did like the part about the ax.

-- Tim Alexander


The Bunny scene was disturbing. The type of image that you almost wish you didn't have to see. But, at the same time it is something that has affected the rest of my life.
It's interesting(?) that her paintings are so drastically different than her performance art.
She seems fascinated with morbidity. Each of her performances involves Blood and Gore, and Death.
Her ability to take on the personae of each of her characters is very convincing. I can see how one of her best friends was confused at the Ili Snap exhibition.
I've spent the last 15 minutes trying to figure out the symbolism or importance of the singers. The snakes I figured out. But the Music Just seemed like filler.

-- Jeff Raber


Nancy Brown is innovative, aggressive and overbearing with her lifelike paintings and more the life in itself performance
Art Evelyn was dry humorous thought provoking methodical and Elusive the drama present only in the audience perception. The performances are life she becomes the life of her characters the point made about Judy is the truth.
Miss Silver Celeste reminded me of the red barn at the Grade Ole Opry. That if she really wanted to be there they would accomodate
And Slim boy the Rythmatist what a picker he is.

-- James S. Sousley


Her art is unique. It seems she's very interested in the strange and unnatural. I don't really become fascinated, as she is, w/ some of it really interesting though.

Her performances were neat b/c they were extremely planned out yet spontaneous in appearance.

-- Holly Smith


I think it's really great the way you get your ideas. Where do you get the materials to make your art? Why is the audience so important to your work? It seems a lot of your works are used to provoke anxiety.

-- Abby Haukenson


Valerie

Where did you get the idea for this story? Did Valerie have a fear of showing others her true self, so that when she was exposed it caused her accident, or was the accident representational of the symbol of being exposes?

-- Cammi Carnahan


She does some really weird stuff. The idea of the rabbit eating itself and the dermoid were especially bizarre. I'm not sure if I like her work. She is funny to listen to. When she first explained about the rabbit and the dermoid it seemed funny but the more I think about it the more it bothers me.

-- Rachel Nolf


Nancy was very interesting to listen to. She had/presented many forms of art which makes for an interesting individual
My favorite work was the piece we watched on the video monitor. It was very amusing.

-- Amy Brostrom


1 Subject, concept speak easy by Nancy Forest Brown/from the Art Inst School
2. materials used/video recorder, picture taking
3. scale, if known
4. style manner, she uses thanking about performance/with art using art with performance, people eating themself, was one of her performance

-- Eugene Malone


Nancy Forest Brown (and Cynde Schauper)
Chicago-Performance Art
Kind of Interesting but what was the purpose of that Derma-thingy?
It was also interesting to read about her situations earlier in her life.

-- Holly Pollard


She was quite interesting. She uses the fetus symbolism in her work. I enjoyed it.

-- Angela R. Scanlan


I really liked your Dermoid and the bunny that eats itself in McDonalds
Cynde Schauper
I like the variegated images and cubist look to these paintings.

-- Natonya Walker


NFBrown--It's very dark. . .
Your theater is great
But more variety--positive ideas too--might add depth to the personas.

-- James Shipp


They way you got the "audience" to be an important component in your performance was admirable. Why are your performances so macabre and sad? They seem like something right out of a nightmare. Are your characters stereotypes you've seen, or personalities of you? I mean, it's all very humorous, but deeply sad, the thinking patterns of your characters. You've researched your characters so Well. Good stuff to see.

-- Nan Schwarz


performance artist
who is the audience?
The art that doesn't exist can be dynamic/interesting. "I didn't want the audience to be passive"
She tried to involve the audience in her ÒPartyÓ
Demonstrations Paintings(Family)
Collaborative writing
HILARIOUS VIDEO
she adopts characters very well contribution to society
She seems to like blood and illness and snakes

-- Ines Linke


Reaction:
It's a lot of fun to watch her "perform". She has so many incredible ideas. She is very creative to express the "ART" in her own language.

-- Fang, Hui Ning


"Interesting" opening music. Quite the mood-setter.
Country-western/Iowa b.s. aside, this was a nice change of pace.

-- Jessica Huisman


Other than the obvious psychological "issues"--classic borderline/narcissisistic issues--which the presentations demonstrate-- The main thing I am struck by is how much fun you have with your work--

-- Mette Brogden


Her video was really funny during parts

-- Krista Osterberg


She is very funny. She takes the way some people really act and shows it in a funny way. Granted she takes the funny people, but she's very good. She's very realistic.
How are her performance's funded?
The only thing missing are the folks doing a two-step.

-- Cammy Wagenknecht


This is a great concept, I've never really encountered the performance arts. How do you get these ideas, they're brilliant. I love your work, you should do Letterman or Saturday Night Live. Your Great.

--Shawn Bainbridge


It's incredible (ex.) (with the bunny piece) That a piece almost of self-destruction is so much more devastation to a viewer than like someone else attacking another.
The performance art is so intense. So much going on and all relating to the audience's subconscience behaviors. -- best thing I've seen! She's absolutely great!!

--Trina Walsh


I really enjoyed hearing about your parties-- I like the idea of really getting the audience involved.
Your video tape is HELARIOUS! I really liked getting to know about Evelyn. She reminds me a lot of my grandmother (except She's never axed anyone to death--I think).

--Bridget O'Donnell


Her Paintings were Beautifully painted.
Evelyn--Reflects society very effectively,
I love the way the character from Iowa has a Southern accent.

-- Theresa Young


There is something so compelling about her themes. She addresses a part of humanity that is often ignored--its kind of sordid but everyone can identify with it because we all have had sordid parts to our life-- Sometimes real life is stranger than fiction-- Nancy's performances remind me of the times in real life when you think to yourself "I feel like I'm in a bad movie" or "I feel like I'm in the middle of a Saturday Night Live skit." Its kind of a mixture of humor and terror in one. It happens quite a bit in real life. She's really tapped into this part of experience--I feel her work is genius--great characters.

-- Ruth Johnston


seem to have a big fascination w/ blood and guts--Really glad to have you here in Iowa--your personas are wonderful--you can speak thru Evelyn very well--I especially liked the part about breast implants--she was so-so serious and sooo funny to watch.
I know people like Judy--
I like how your performances can get ideas across to people more so than any object can.
Yea--and I love Pasty--She was pretty great--she could have even went a bit farther probably a bit difficult in this art auditorium--Things could get fun at "Judy's".
way to go Denise
(I like yer singin')

-- Sandy Hudrlik


concept of "hating what I'm doing...." really made Nancy different. Therefore the concept of communication became a necessity. Nancy gave a good introduction about her performance abilities. However, I was very lost because of the fact she hated the piece of the "rabbit eating itself!" If she does not like her stuff, why get involved and perform?
Dermoid concept made things very "strange".
She always talked about death, blood, or some sort of disgusting aspect!!!
She makes me feel "Afraid" of her!!!! She's very drastic on the way she performs--also becoming somebody else complements that feeling of being afraid of her!!
She is very good painter!!! Interesting that she only paints her family.
Nancy and Cynde's work (writer)
I just don't know what to write!! I'm confused (??) too many different view points presented by Nancy without an easy manner of presentation.
The video clearly expressed her performance abilities although quite disgusting.
Songs
I was confused at some points, but I have to tell you that Nancy is very good performance artist! Very good Body language, and voice coordination. I think that is why I liked her. But once again, I was confused in some aspects of her presentation. Overall it was fun.

-- Markin Abras



Copyright © 1989, Cynde Schauper and Nancy Forest Brown