Thom Donovan
art
Entrance Wounds: Richard Foreman’s Deep Trance Behavior in Potato Land
04.01.08
Richard Foreman's productions from his ontological hysterical theater are experiences of ideas, rather than psychodramas. Difficult to surmise (and harder to blurb), Foreman's most recent play Deep Trance Behavior in Potato Land delves further into the director's - of late - multimedia fancy. Orient yourself here with Thom Donovan's review, then if you can, go see the play (which has been extended til April 27th) where you can expect to be disoriented (orientalist pun?...sic).
Every Name in History is I: Catherine Sullivan’s Triangle of Need
03.08.08
Thom Donovan dissects the work of Chicago-based visual artist Catherine Sullivan, examining the recurrent themes of Nietzsche that appear throughout the narratives of her projects. Her films and live-action performances have been described widely as "anxiety-inducing" and "disorienting." Unsettling, to say the least, she forms much of her work as a critique of acceptable and ordinary behavior in modern society. Donovan examines three of her major works: Triangle of Need, The Chittendens, and D-Pattern. All images courtesy of the artist and Metro Pictures.
Devotional Materialisms: on Thomas Hirschhorn’s Superficial Engagement…
03.28.06
We hardly ever see what really is going on in war, especially filtered intelligently through art. At a recent show at Barbara Gladstone's Gallery in New York, Thomas Hirschhorn came as close to any artist in recent memory to bringing home the horrors happening in the middle east currently. If you missed it, read Thom Donovan's insightful take.
features
Silent Teacher Remembered: Hannah Weiner's Open House
12.20.07
It's been ten years since poet, artist, and self-professed "clairvoyant" journalist Hannah Weiner died. This past month, people gathered at St. Mark's Church in New York City's Lower East Side to remember this unique individual, to share slides and stories, and perhaps act as she often did, as mediums, to recall her spirit to our present. Thom Donovan was there, and here is his account of the happening (which included a reading of Hannah Weiner's Open House) and thoughts on the artist in general.
poetry
PhillySound Poets
06.21.08
Since 2003, CAConrad and a band of Philly poets have coedited the blog, PhillySound. As the first installment in a series devoted exclusively to poetry communities and small press cultures, Conrad gathers eleven poets involved with PhillySound. Read selections of poems online from some of the most vital poets currently working in the city of brotherly love. The Fanzine poetry series is hosted by Thom Donovan. (note: use Safari or Firefox for Mac or PC when browsing the poetry section. Internet Explorer is incompatible with our poetry layout).