NewVillager presents LA with a Cultural Metamorphosis
Photo Credit: Tina Avanessian
Over the past 6 days, Los Angeles has been home to the life of a rather unique installation and (dare we say) culture fusing arts, mythology and music. It could only mean New York pop project NewVillager was in town, who managed to comandeer Human Resources gallery for its high concept art show. The group (along with several contributors) designed, curated (and even slept in) a dreamlike village which hosted performances from various visual artists and musicians each night. Within its lifespan, the gallery was transformed into an eclectic installation and performance space which included performances by the likes of Julia Holter, Emily Lacy, Matt from Princeton and Noah & David from Bodies of Water. The space included 10 different rooms, each in celebration of the ten- song mythology that underlies their upcoming self-titled album coming out on IAMSOUND records, August 16th.
According to group member Ben Bromley, “Every culture in its essence is temporary […] empires last over the courses of thousands of years. For us, we are choosing to put together a culture that lasts ten days.” Bromley greeted an excited crowd on the final night culminating in the group’s performance, “welcome to the cocoon,” backed by bandmate Ross Simonini, whose modulated voice reminds one of that one song from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (Yello “Oh Yeah”). By the end of the performance, walls separating each of the 10 unique environments to make way for a flashmob of dance and pop music celebration.
Most civilizations crumble over the course of centuries and generations without notice. At least this one ceremoniously went out with a bang.
