Lucy Panesar
On entry to BonkersFest! proceed directly to the Diagnostic Evaluation Machine to receive a normality diagnosis (mild, moderate or severe) and a de-normalisation zone referral (see map)*. The Machine has been created by artists Lucy Panesar and illeboc-r, and will be operated by Felicity Mukherjee and her team of assistants.
Lucy Panesar creates participatory live art works disguised as evaluation exercises that are delivered by Felicity Mukherjee, her corporate alter-ego. For BonkersFest! 2008 Lucy has collaborated with illeboc-r to create the Diagnostic Evaluation Machine.www.lucypanesar.com
illeboc-r is an artist, designer, musician, photographer, filmmaker and general technological and creative genius, working for BonkersFest! 2008 with Lucy Panesar to create the semi-automated, Diagnostic Evaluation Machine.
www.illeboc-r.com
Bobby Baker
An inspiring posse of human campaigning peas - periodically popping out of their pods and erupting into choreographed dance routines and politically pertinent chants. Pea related tips and treats for other patient ‘p’s will be available from our Daily Life Ltd stall throughout the day. Daily Life Ltd The disability-led organisation and registered charity through which artist Bobby Baker produces her work. It aims to explore, inspire and celebrate daily life by making artworks alongside like-minded people.
www.bobbybakersdailylife.com www.artsadmin.co.uk
Creative Routes Samba Band
Creative Routes Samba Band started life as African/Cuban drumming workshop several years ago until the London School of Samba Band performed at Bonkersfest! We liked the rhythms so much that we enlisted Mags, their ‘maestro', to lead workshops and the band became a Brazillian Samba Band. All band members live with mental health conditions varying from depression to schizophrenia. We find that drumming controls low moods as it is uplifting and we have to work as a team. It is also good for developing co-ordination and managing stress. A samba rehearsal is like a gym workout and whacking a drum works a treat for anger management! If you like our music, you can hire the band for events, gigs and parties.
Daniel Lehan
In a workshop facilitated by artist Daniel Lehan at South London Art Gallery, members of Creative Routes will each make a Sandwich Board, reflecting their interests, enthusiasms and dislikes. These will then be shown at Bonkersfest!, and members of the public will have the opportunity to wear the sandwich boards. Sign up for workshop session at 1:30 or 3:30 at the South London Gallery stall. Parade at 5:30 p.m.
Lehan's work seeks audiences in non-gallery situations. Interactions and conversations ensue. Recently he picketed Oxford Street with signs reading ‘How Much Will You Spend To Make Someone Love You?'
Isa Suarez
The De-Normalization Cell will help you get closer to sensations that already exist in your everyday life but you can't feel them if you are ''normal''. The de-normalisation process takes 10 minutes. It occurs via a series of sensory-audio reflective vibrations and 3 dimensional aural perceptions felt in your body and mind. Enter the cell, lie down and relax. The De-normalisation cell has been created for Bonkersfest 2008 by composer/sound artist Isa Suarez in collaboration with Creative Routes members.
Isa Suarez is a composer/sound artist, and songwriter/performer. Her work addresses social/political issues and suggests feelings and atmospheres. Recent work includes The Human Rights Jukebox and work at Tate Britain, South London Gallery, Peckham Library & Liberty festival 2007; more info on: www.isasuarez.com
Orly Orbach
An outdoor performance, dance and installation. A site-specific performance and installation piece describing the internal mind of a woman who is hearing voices and seeing visions. The woman is aware of a predatory presence behind her. Confined to a corner-shaped set, she watches the voices and shadows she perceives wander freely, haunting members of the public. Dancer, Jana Jevtovic.
Orly Orbach uses the language of myth and metaphor to create visual narratives. To discover more about her drawings, installations and video works visit: www.orlyorbach.com
Penny Arnold
Cut up is a one-to-one performance encounter taking place in two tents. “In plain words, Chaos was the law of nature, Order was the dream of man" Henry B. Adams.
Penny Arnold has developed arts, photography and film-based projects for and with other mad people that aim to give insight, share experiences or question people's perceptions of normality. Julian Hughes is a Nottingham based artist who works within photography, sound and interdisciplinary practice. His work explores a range of subjects relating to ecology, migration and sustainability.
St Mungo's & Friends
Our contribution has 3 elements; ‘the choir with no name (yet)’, spoken word performances triggered by a large scale ‘mungopoly’ board, which is based on the game monopoly combined with elements based on the experience of homelessness. You will be invited to play mungopoly at bonkersfest. What will your chance card be??
We are a group of artists, actors, filmmakers, spoken word performers, singers and songwriters. We also happen to be clients and workers from a large homeless charity called St. Mungo's.
Dolly Sen
Armed with nothing more than a stepladder and a light bulb, I will attempt – at set periods during the day – to screw the lightbulb into the sky. I am doing this because the world needs more light. To quote Groucho Marx - 'Blessed are the cracked, for they shall let in the light'.
Dolly Sen is a professional mad person, never out of business, so is doing very well, thank you very much. www.dollysen.com
Dr Burnheart Gloss
Dr. Burnheart Gloss - the codeloquent pompoustitular ringmaster of disaster. Improvisational walkabout, song, story telling, magic, slapstick and tumbling including the dangerous balancing act as he climbs The wobbly Tower of Human Folly for your entertainment.