May 9, 2000

Geometry of Miracles Opens MASS MoCA's Second Season

May 9, 2000 -- (North Adams, MA) A naked devil. A set of glasses and dishes transformed into an architectural model. A CEO who tap dances dictation to his secretary. These are just a few of the images in theatrical innovator Robert Lepage's Geometry of Miracles. On Friday, June 2, MASS MoCA, the country's largest center for contemporary visual and performing arts will open its second season with the New England premiere of this provocative and unorthodox work by one of the foremost theatrical creators of our time.

"Geometry of Miracles is the perfect work to kick off the second season which has as its theme, Unnatural Science. Unnatural Science looks at works in which artists have used science as a springboard to fantasy, poetry, or humor," commented Joseph Thompson, Director of MASS MoCA. "Lepage and his company Ex Machina fuse media, movement, music, and text. It's a big production -- technically demanding and visually stunning - which makes it a perfect piece for the state-of-the-art Hunter Center at MASS MoCA."

The New York Times called the piece, "another installment in what one might call the Cirque de Lepage, a veritable three-ring circus of images and effects that could only have been assembled in hallucinations if not constructed in Ex Machina's workshops."

Geometry of Miracles is an investigation of mysticism and architecture tracing the connection between the great American architect Frank Lloyd Wright and the Russian mystic Georgi Gurdjieff. Gurdjieff taught his slavish followers that people are "asleep" but can be awakened to a full consciousness through a series of movements and other spiritual exercises. His system for achieving personal wholeness or harmony later contributed to the New Age human potential movement. Wright's third wife, Olgivanna was a disciple of Gurdjieff's and brought the Russian to the architect's Wisconsin commune, Taliesin, to work with Wright's apprentices.

Although the two men's world seem dramatically opposed (mathematical architect versus spiritual healer) Lepage finds resounding parallels between them. According to Lepage, "Each had tremendous ego and were mavericks and masters in their own rights. Both were visionaries and innovators and shared a profound interest in mathematics, in geometry, and in the relations of man to the environment and the cosmos."

Newsday described Lepage's startling and beautiful stage images as "witty and profound" and went on call it, "a work that is mystical, organic, and masterful" saying, "the technical expertise of this company is amazing."

Robert Lepage is the recipient of numerous awards including the Governor General's Performing Arts Award (1994) and, most recently, an honorary degree from University College, University of Toronto. Lepage has had many successes over his lengthy career; from the film Confessional which won four Genies to staging the highly theatrical "US" concert tour for Peter Gabriel. His works include the recent film Nô, The Seven Streams of the River Ota, and Polygraph.

Tickets to Geometry of Miracles are $40 for orchestra and $30 for mezzanine. Tickets are available by calling the MASS MoCA Box Office at 413.662.2111 or online at www.massmoca.org. Tickets may also be purchased in person from 10 - 4 Tuesday through Sunday at MASS MoCA at 87 Marshall St. in North Adams, Mass. The production contains male nudity.

Geometry of Miracles will also be performed on Saturday, June 3 as part of MASS MoCA's Big Bang Opening Party. Tickets for the Big Bang, which includes dancing in the moonlight and a private look at MASS MoCA's new exhibition, Unnatural Science, are $140 orchestra and $125 mezzanine.

General support for the 2000 season is provide in part by the Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Economic Development/Office of Travel and Tourism.

MASS MoCA, the largest center for contemporary visual and performing arts in the United States, is located at 87 Marshall Street in North Adams on a 13-acre campus of renovated 19th-century factory buildings. MASS MoCA focuses on the work of visual and performing artists charting new territory.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Katherine Myers
(413) 664-4481 x8113
katherine@massmoca.org